"6am on a Sunday is a time for getting up, not getting in!"
The birth of Prince George has got us all feeling broody and talking about babies, but Prince William has recently admitted he's struggling to cope with the sleepless nights and was stunned by how demanding the Royal newborn is.
Despite endless information on parenting tips, 70% of mothers and fathers said parenting was harder than they expected it to be, Netmums.com have revealed.
A poll of Netmums members have admitted the embarrassing give away behaviours that only parents can admit and fear turning into their own parents by repeating annoying catchphrases that they grew up with.
86% are already worried they are ‘turning into my own mum or dad’ and the most common age to begin acting like your own parents is 32.
The new report also revealed the top 50 give away behaviours triggered by becoming a parent. Embarrassing confessions from mums include: ‘fancying children’s TV presenters over rockstars’, ‘thinking 6am on a Sunday is a time for getting up, not getting in’ and ‘being willing to swap sexual favours for a lie in.'
Meanwhile, father’s admitted to a string of secrets including: ‘quitting Facebook as you are jealous of single pal’s pictures of their wild weekends away’ and ‘being more nervous than your kids when they play in their first competitive sporting event.'
Netmums.com found that 19 in 20 parents agreed that becoming a mother or father had a profound impact on their life, making them a very different person to before they had children.
Since becoming parents, two thirds suffered from lack of sleep and three in five said they have much less money than before becoming a parent, but over half said they had more love to give.
Netmums.com founder Siobhan Freegard said: “Parenting is the greatest leveller. Whatever your class or job or education, or wherever you live, if you’re a mum or dad you’ll do certain things which mark you out as a parent.
“Parenting brings out plenty of behaviours which you’d never dream of confessing to childless pals – but other parents understand them straight away. This crowd sourced lists give a funny – and eye-opening glimpse – into the lives of modern parents in the UK.”
You Know You’re a Mum When – Top 25
1) Forget rockstars and film stars. There's a kids TV presenter you quite fancy
2) 6am on a Sunday is a time for getting up, not getting in
3) Three glasses of wine is no longer a cheeky chaser to start the night. It is the night and the recipe for a killer hangover …
4) … and the bins go out more than you do
5) You're willing to swap sexual favours for a weekend lie-in
6) You think you can cut hair
7) You find things your own mum used to say – and vowed you’d NEVER say - coming out of your mouth
8) You don’t know a single song in the charts, but can sing along to every Kids TV theme tune
9) Your handbag no longer contains a smart lipstick and purse but baby wipes, toy cars and a dummy
10) You no longer have a name or identity – you’re simply known as your child’s name’s mum.
11) You tick off ketchup when counting 5-a-day
12) You don’t find it in the least unusual to wake up with a foot in your face or a bum on your head
13) Going to the loo alone is considered 'me-time' and a trip to the hairdressers is a spa day
14) You know the agony of the medical condition Lego Foot, from stepping on toy bricks in bare feet
15) You excitedly point out a tractor as you drive along and then realise that there are no kids in the car
16) You no longer worry about having a matching shoes and handbags, as making it out the door without baby milk or jam smeared on your top counts as a stylish look.
17) An estate car suddenly seems like a sensible idea, not something old people drive.
18) You need a holiday after your family holiday
19) You can't remember eating a meal when it was still hot
20) You communicate with your husband by talking to your baby in a sing-song voice about the multiple things that he has done wrong, while he is standing beside you.
21) You never flinch as someone vomits, wees or poos on you
22) But you do worry about your kids getting into all the things you did as a teenager.
23) You're only as happy as your unhappiest child
24) You think of yourself last every time.
25) But despite being fatter, broke and more exhausted than you could have ever imagined, you’d never go back to you old life without kids.