Did Your Kids Make You a Better Person?

Parenting

by Lamar Tyler | on July 6th, 2009 | 6 comments

kids

Since I had kids, I quit cursing (as much), started reading even more than I usually did, started eating healthier foods, and put a real emphasis on the types of people I associated with.

And these are just a fraction of the ways I’ve changed since having kids.

I’ve also:

quit speeding,

went natural,

quit consuming processed foods,

learned how to budget wisely,

became less argumentative,

began a supreme love affair with gospel music

became a huge fan of daily prayer

become much more organized

That’s a lot of change in the past three years. I didn’t do most of these things consciously either. I just instinctively knew I needed to make some modifications to my behavior.

Share with us BMWK family : In what ways, big or small, have you changed since having kids?

Tara Pringle Jefferson is a freelance writer living in Ohio with her husband and two children. Visit her blog, www.theyoungmommylife.com, to read more of her observations about life, motherhood and love.

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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Comments (6)

Laila Monday - 06 / 07 / 2009 Reply

Being a mom has definitely changed my life. I've been peed, pooped and barfed on and kept it moving,lol. I've also become VERY resourceful and creative. I'm always looking for a free activity or discount/sale for my son. I was able to get him $2,000+ spanish lessons for a little over $200. I also now understand the value of time. It's not something I have a lot of so I have learned how to manage it wisely to fit the many things I have to do each day.
Na2 Monday - 06 / 07 / 2009 Reply

Oh man i have been blessed with my baby girl naliyah i have changed so many things even my mom thinks that her child been kidnap or something every one is proud of who I am today and my baby naliyah let me acomplish that.
Execumama Monday - 06 / 07 / 2009 Reply

Interesting topic. Since children, I've: -Significantly increased my desire for full-time entrepreneur status. Now, I'm happy to say that hubs and I are in our 2nd year of riding the self-employed train, and it feels good in large part because we get to be with our daughters. -I've become much more sensitive to others' feelings and how my words affect others. -I've started taking much better care of myself through regular exercise and better eating habits. We raise our daughters vegetarian, and I want to make sure they grow up seeing exercise as a regular part of a healthy lifestyle, as opposed to "something you do when you think you're getting fat". Execumamas last blog post..Marley on a Monday
K.K. Monday - 06 / 07 / 2009 Reply

Since becoming a mommy I have definatly made some improvement. - I've censored my television watching, music listening,and people I spend time around - i watch my responses both physical and verbal because I know she will emulate what she sees me do - I'm not a confrontational personal but if it is for her benefit then I suck it up say what need to be said. I think if you're going to be a good parent you will try to improve your flaws for the sake of your children.
lynn Wednesday - 08 / 07 / 2009 Reply

Less mouth service, More action. My 18 year old pays what little bills he has before they are due. He gets his oil charged in his car like he should. He does not spend his money on 150.00 shoes. He does this b/c he watched his mother pay her bills on time his whole life. Something I knew that had to be done when I became a parent. I set an example.
dantresomi Thursday - 09 / 07 / 2009 Reply

I, too, stopped cursing like a sailor who hails from the Bronx (i was a sailor and i am from the Bronx). I even realized how crazy my life was as a child and got rid of so many bad habits like yelling... dantresomis last blog post..