I think loads of people would breathe a collective sigh of relief when a mum DARES to say it ISN"T all plain sailing.

Having a baby sounds like a lucky dip to me, you don't know how the baby is going to turn out physically or emotionally. You can nurture it in a certain way, but then the baby has it's own personality and free will and as a child will grow up a certain way. You don't get the chance to hand the child back if it doesn't turn out the way you hoped, so the whole thing sounds like a lottery to me. A lottery you gotta make the best of, cos there's no turning back, no getting a refund, or choosing a different size! (sorry, got carried away with shopping analogy there folks!) Maybe that's why parents love their kids no matter what they do or say.

It also sounds like a one way labour of love, with the mum making heaps of sacrifices. I have felt this as a part time stepmum to a disabled child so god only knows what it will be like doing it full time. But at least i will be called mummy and get some respect from the outside world.

Thank you for being honest about how hard it is EllyBoo.

I am worried i will not get to leave the house (except for walks around the block) as my car is too old to have an anchor point for the baby carseat. We have no relatives to babysit so i can't see dh and me having couple time (even if we had the money for Fasta Pasta meal). I think me and Oprah will be getting really well acquainted post-baby.