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Are you looking for the biggest lifestyle change anyone can make? I'm not talking about packing up and heading for a sea change, nor am I talking about changing your career. These lifestyle changes are nothing in caparison to having children.

I was never warned about what changes you'll need to make when children enter your life. I was a stepparent before I was a parent and it still made a massive impact in how I lived my life.

Here are just a few changes I have had to make. Parenting is one of the most un-selfish and selfless things anyone can do. Are you up for it?

SLEEP

People used to call me "The Cat" because I could curl up anywhere and have a nap. Not anymore. Due to being perpetually tired and constant interrupted sleep over the past four years, my brain won't shut down quickly enough to nap.

When I was in hospital after having my third child, I thought I'd be able to stay and get some needed rest. Instead I found myself waking to everyone else's children who began to stir, even one time waking the girl up next to me to attend her child.

EATING PATTERNS

You know those three meals a day at those set times of day. I eat when my children have eaten and I eat when I get the opportunity to do so without interruption. Not only that, no longer can I enjoy that hot curry because I have to share it.

MONEY AND WHAT YOU SPEND IT ON

I would think twice about heading to the bookstore and spending a hundred or two on books. Not only have I not done so in a while, I wouldn't consider doing so as I'd be extremely guilty. If I were to spend that money on books, I'd be buying one for myself and the rest for my children.

POSSESSIONS

My most prized possession before my children were born was two Versace pillows. They were bought on a drunken binge win I had had at the Casino one evening, dropping $800.00 on a two pillows was something I could do.

I cried when I sold them on eBay about a year ago because they were only gathering dust at the top of my wardrobe. I also had a gorgeous collage cat that I adored; she no longer has a head because one of the children in my Mothers Group decided to use it as a cricket bat.

You will also need to look at your furniture. That Art Deco vase won't be able to be placed proudly on display where little hands will break it. That beautiful white leather couch you spend a year's wages on will end up with pen and texta on it. That glass table that you use to put your feet and coffee cup on, that will need to go too.

One of the biggest possessions I miss

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