After Having Kids, You'll Never Look at These Things the Same

Thousands of airplanes and helicopters buzzed over our heads without us even noticing how many flying objects take to the skies on a daily basis — that is, until you've got a toddler. Then every single one is pointed out and cherished.

Bubbles are just a part of life to most of us. They pop up all around on a daily basis — but when you have kids, you realize that bubbles are actually everywhere, and yeah, they are pretty darn cool.

Show me a big rig, digger, fire truck, or cement mixer, and I'll show you a child with a pointed finger.

Pools, beaches, ponds, and lakes are relaxing ways to pass a hot Summer's day . . . until you take your child, who doesn't understand the concept of drowning, and it suddenly becomes the least relaxing thing you could ever imagine.

My oldest child is 5, and I'm pretty sure that for the past four and a half years, not a single dog with its head out a car window has passed us without me knowing.

Without fail, my children can point out any motorcycle on the roadways way before I'd ever notice it.

There's just something about these big yellow buses that little kids can't get enough of.

Kids are quick to spy a human in full costume. And it can go either way — pure delight or utter terror — but I guarantee you never gave them much thought until you had your child's happiness or fear riding on its presence.

I'm pretty sure I never noticed a single bounce house until I had children — and now I can't figure out why on earth they are present at every single event or celebration, big or small.

To an adult, balloons are just balloons. For babies through big kids, balloons are the ultimate form of entertainment. It doesn't even have to be filled with helium; just a regular ol' balloon will bring crazy excitement.

I love ice cream as much as the next girl, but my kids can see an ice cream cone from a mile away. We cannot walk by an ice cream shop, a person eating an ice cream, or see an ice cream ad without them immediately noticing it and begging for it.

While you don't have kids, if you're tired, you hit the sack. Problem solved. When you have kids, you're always tired, and just going to bed is almost never an option — and uninterrupted sleep is rare. Be it your own, your child's, or other people's, you'll never look at sleep the same way.

People go on eating this American classic all the time without thought. And then you have kids and the hot dog becomes an issue. Kids love 'em, but parents are terrified (me included) of their tots choking on them or eating the nasty stuff (nitrates, mystery meat, etc.) found in them.

Trains are cool, they really are. But if you have a child, trains are ridiculously awesome. I dare you to pass a train without pointing it out to your tot. Better yet, I double dog dare you to try to get away with not letting your kid have a turn on a train ride.

Prechildren, medical visits are just a routine part of life. You're sick? Make an appointment. Need a dental cleaning? Get that scheduled. Postchildren, medical visits require the perfect preparation, flawless timing, and loads of tricks up your sleeves — and that's just for your own appointments!

Many an adult likes to tune in to the news to see what's happening in the world; it's totally normal. However, when you have kids in the mix, the news not only becomes a source of serious stress for mothers (suddenly the world where our kids are growing up is a lot scarier), but it also can be minefield for small ears with a lot of questions, big imaginations, and even bigger fears.