Before I became a mom five-plus years ago, I predicted two things about parenting: one, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and two, all those unknowns were going to change my life dramatically. I was right about both. Half a decade into this whole raising-tiny-people-experiment, I am as guilty as any "experienced mom" of complaining about all the hardships that come with kids (the sleep deprivation [1], the constant neediness, the whining, the messiness [2], the fighting . . . need I go on?), but I am also completely aware that the journey has been totally worth it. Being a parent can make you a better person, and here's five reasons.

1. Becoming a parent will change you, but only in the best ways.

At my core, I'm still the same social, wine-loving [3], style-obsessed bookworm that I was before I ever got pregnant six years ago, but as a mom, I'm more likely to host an event than just show up empty-handed, I tend to drink way more moderately than I did in my 20s (two glasses a night is moderate, right? Or is that just in France?), and my wardrobe looks totally different (hello, cute jeans and yoga pants; bye-bye, designer dresses). The books have stayed – I just get to binge-read way less than I used to. What all of this change adds up to for me? I'm a way less self-centered, image-obsessed, selfish person than I used to be, and I have my kids to thank for it.

2. Every stage is hard, but they won't always feel that way.

Five years in, I'm still waiting for the "easy" stage of parenting, and I'm becoming increasingly aware that it might not ever come. And these days, I'm pretty much OK with that. I'm aware that my kids aren't going to turn into tiny, self-sufficient angels overnight, but guess what? Instead of waiting for them to change, I've adapted to be more giving and organized, and we're all happier.

3. Schedules are lifesavers . . . until they start running your life.

They key thing I've learned about living a happy life with kids: you still have to live your life, not just theirs. So, yes, my almost-3-year-old son is way happier if he gets down for his nap exactly at 1 p.m. and goes down to bed at 7:45 p.m. on the dot, but sometimes his sister has an afternoon school event or the whole family gets invited to an evening party, and his schedule gets thrown out the window [4]. Is he grumpy for a day or two? Absolutely, but having to stick to a strict schedule would make mom even grumpier.

4. Your kid comes with a built-in personality, so embrace it, even if it's not what you expected.

When I was pregnant, I had a very clear vision of what my daughter would look and act like. She would be brown-haired like me, hazel-eyed like her dad, and sort of shy like neither of us. Of course, none of these predictions came true [5]. Instead, I have a blond-haired, blue-eyed wild child who will currently show anyone who asks how she can twerk. And the fact that she is so wholly her own person has been the best lesson for me. As a mom, it is not my job to see myself in my daughter; it's my job to embrace and foster exactly who she is [6].

5. The most fun comes when you stop trying to make everything perfect.

I can be a bit anal-retentive (more than a bit, if you ask my husband). I like my house neat, beds made, toys put away, and dinner served promptly at six. Don't wipe down the counters and start the dishwasher before bed, and I might cut you. But last night we had an impromptu neighborhood party, and I woke up to a trashed basement, dirty dishes, and a tub full of beer bottles in my garage. And the whole family had a blast. Perfect is nice, but life with kids is rarely perfect, and honestly, that's also what makes it so great.