They say parenthood is the steepest learning curve there is.
If I think back to my pre-baby days and compare them to life post-babies, Iβd have to agree.
There are just so many things they donβt tell you, things you learn on the job andΒ suddenly – and expertly –Β develop the ability to do. Essentially, a set of parenting superpowers.
10 superpowers all parents develop in the first year
1. The ability to function on the least sleep youβve ever had in your whole entire life. And you routinely surprise yourself with just how littleΒ you can get by on.
2. Pre-kids you were incapable of doing anything before your first cup of tea or coffee β now you can change a nappy, strip a bed and sort out breakfast all before your first sip. Even though you donβt really want to.
3. You can complete a surprising amount of tasks with just one hand. From emptying the dishwasher to chopping onions to applying make-up, itβs really quite amazing what you can do while balancing a baby on your hip.
4. Multitasking takes on a whole new meaning. From cooking a meal while hanging out the washing to supervising bath time while cleaning the sink, you deftly carry out multiple tasks simultaneously, often without even thinking about it.
5. You can sniff out the whiff of your own childβs nappy at 50 paces. It doesnβt matter how many other kids are about, you just know when itβs yours.
6. You only need to glance at a buggy to know how to adjust, fold and collapse it. While people without kids struggle to even adjust the handle, youβve workedΒ the whole contraptionΒ out in one fleeting assessment.
7. Youβve mastered the art of holding all manner of things between your teeth. Without dropping them.
8. You’ve gotΒ eyes in the back of your head. And they donβt miss a thing.
9.Β You develop anΒ innate sense for spotting signs of trouble. From the wrestling of a toy between twoΒ toddlers to the baby crawling towards the steaming cup of tea, distance is no object –Β especially at parent and baby groups.
10. You now possess selective hearing. Because letβs face it, if you didnβt develop this superpower youβd go insane.
What superpowers have you developed since becoming a parent?
Gas and electricity supplierΒ npowerΒ is celebrating the superpowers parents discover in a new campaign in association with MumsnetΒ featuring Peter and Emily Andre. They’reΒ calling for mums and dads to share their parenting superpowers on the npower websiteΒ and on Twitter using the hashtag #familysuperpowers for the chance to win one of three UK theme park breaks. ToΒ find out moreΒ clickΒ here.
I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Panel, a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity.
Linking up withβ¦
So true, I had no idea about the things I could do on 1.5 hours sleep or without eating or drinking until 2pm before motherhood! Thanks, I enjoyed this post π #TheList
It’s really quite amazing isn’t it!
Multitasking might be my greatest super power yet and I have my kids to thank for it. Love your list! #TheList
Thank you!
Brilliant! Totally agree with every single one, but that last one made me laugh out loud, it’s so true x
#TheListLinky
Glad to entertain!
3,9 and 10 are my biggest superpowers. Such a great post. It’s amazing how much parenting changes you. x
And also how much we can get done!
Master of linguistics. Other people may have no idea what your kid is saying or what these sounds coming from them mean, but to you its clear as day! #KCACOLS
Yes! That’s a good one!
This is such a cute and sunny post. I loved it!
#KCACOLS
Glad you enjoyed it!
I was snacking whilst reading this but laughed so much I choked! Brilliant post!
Oh no! I didn’t mean to be a choking hazard!
You are oh so right about all of these!! #KCACOLS
I could go on and on too!
I love this. The functioning on little sleep one and doing stuff with one hand in particular resonate with me. Eating with one hand is something I am now expert in!
Yes me too!
You can also tell anyone where anything in your changing bag is from memory.
Yes! I forgot that one!
Haha, we need these superpowers to get through the day don’t we?! I can relate to all of them x
#KCACOLS
I couldn’t be without mine!
Great list! My super power is managing to carry the baby, the nappy bag, two carrier bags of shopping, a book, my laptop, a packet of tissues and a half eaten apple into the house without dropping anything!!! #marvmondays
Sorry wrong linky! Should have been #KCACOLS
Thanks for popping over!x
And it’s no wonder we get back ache!
Haha, I love this list. The skills you pick up as a parent could put a ninja to shame lol.
Yes that’s true!
This is awesome, I used to sleep really heavy, now as soon as my son moves or if he breathes extra heavy I am awake, up at super speed and into his room in about 2.5 seconds..sadly I never mastered the buggy superpower as I always could never open or fold down mine, would get stuck and cross, then my OH would just walk over flick something and tadah! Thank goodness my son stopped needing one long ago! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday xx
I wake up at the sound of a pin dropping too – so annoying!
SO true! I amaze myself with how much I get done before I even get to work, more than most people do in a day-and I’m not a morning person!
I know – it can feel like a full day’s work done before you’ve even left the house!!
I LOVED this!!! My friend and I also joke about how we can have conversations that spontaneously start and stop on the phone while dealing with meltdowns, dirty diapers, and other kids events that make you sound like you could possibly be crazy π Thanks for sharing. #KCACOLS
If I had Β£1 for every conversation that’s been interrupted I’d be very rich indeed…
I think my only superpower is actually surviving on minimal sleep! And supersonic hearing.. I can hear my baby breathe at night from 3 rooms away! #KCACOLS
Supersonic breathing – I like that one!
Yes to all of these..except number 6, I have a 3 year old and a baby and I still don’t know how to collapse out buggy!xx #thelist
You’re not the only one to say that!!
Luckily for me I’ve had insomnia on and off all my life. I actually get more sleep nowadays than I used too. #kcacols
Wow – that’s not something you hear often!!
Agreed. Parenthood without a doubt defo makes you realise you can push yourself harder than you ever have. The wall gets high, you get better at climbing.
Agreed. Parenthood without a doubt defo makes you realise you can push yourself harder than you ever have. The wall gets high, you get better at climbing.
#KCACOLS
That’s a great analogy!
Yes! Although, I’m not a whizz with pushchairs still. That superpower missed me out haha! When my little one was first born, I’d be breastfeeding him whilst cooking dinner for the rest of the family! Alongside selective hearing, it also intensifies – he just has to sniffle in his cot and I can hear him downstairs. (wish my partners hearing got amplified! haha) Great post, definitely hit the nail on the head! #KCACOLS
Becky x
Lots of people are saying they struggle with the pushchairs…
This made me laugh! I remember number 1 especially! Even now hubby and I question how we managed on almost no sleep for those first few weeks!
#kcacols
It’s crazy isn’t it – you just go on auto pilot…