Ditch your values, principles and standards

We started out with the best of intentions, we used to be so good. It didn't take long for almost all of them to go out of the window.

Use of the tumble dryer sky rocketed immediately, brand new clothes are often worn just a few times (or not at all), wipes seem to be in use every couple of minutes (good job they are always on offer) and washable nappies never got out of the starting blocks. I am amazed how much more energy and resources we use since the arrival of this one tiny being.

Water is a great example. Everything needs cleaning and cleaning again and old water cannot be used again. I still don't understand this one; I boiled the kettle a few hours ago, it's now cold and I need hot water again for the baby. Why do I have to pour all of it out and refill it with fresh water? how can re-boiled water in any way be dangerous?

Food is wasted, I mean really badly wasted. I often wonder what the proportion of food consumed is versus the amount spread on toys and clothes, dropped on the floor or flatly refused for no good reason at all. At one stage I would have wagered it was an equal spread between them all, which would mean only about a third actually made it into the little one's stomach. At least she is now old enough to keep it there.

And it goes beyond the rapid de-prioritisation of environmental concerns. Personal standards have also taken a hit. There seems to be no time for exercise now and those who assume dashing about after a toddler will keep you trim are sadly deluded. What makes taking care of kids tiring is not the fact it is a full, cardiovascular workout (which it is not), it is the fact you are on call 24/7. There is no European working directive which will grant you a break every four hours. Plus, if you have a similar upbringing to me the aforementioned food wastage is tantamount to treason. So you end up with kiddie leftovers (always high fat) as well as your own dinner which does nothing good for the waistline.

As for new clothes and recipes, I can't remember the last time these were topics of discussion. The little one may have a huge choice of clothes to wear just once or twice, but I seem to be wearing the same thing I was wearing three years ago, and it hasn't aged well.

It all gets better slowly over time, like the amount of stuff you have to cart about with you for even the shortest trip. As things get easier the time freed up is very much appreciated, even cherished.