When you become a parent, you don’t fully dimension how life changes. The good news is that soon you can't even remember what life was like before kids. Whether it’s due to lack of sleep, exhaustion or real joy, once you have children, life without them is a distant and faded memory. At least for me.

Sometimes we tend to miss the things we used to do before becoming parents. Like sleeping. But I realized there are many things I never did before I had my kids. I would have never even thought of talking about bodily functions (especially the first year of my kids' lives), or the fact that sometimes I would make a meal out of my children's leftovers.

What did you start doing after you became a parent? Here's what I began doing once I had kids:

1. Relying on caffeine. I will admit it is an addiction. Before I was a mom I seldom drank coffee. After my second child, I cannot function without it. My daughter's reflux was really bad during her first year of life, but regardless of how stressful some night were, I was working and had to find a way to keep my eyes open. She's 10 now yet I have found myself unable to relinquish my morning coffee.
2. Finding that a ponytail or messy bun is a great hairstyle. Really! Some mornings there is not enough time to wash my hair. Or energy to tame my wild curls. Or patience to deal with one more task.
3. Wearing concealer. I am tired of people saying I look tired. So I am constantly hiding my dark circles with sunglasses, and under-eye concealer to fake a fresh, rested look. Sometimes it works. At least that's what I tell myself.
4. Discovering the joys of being a sports fan. I hardly knew the name of basketball, baseball and football teams. Now, courtesy of my sports-crazed son, I not only know and follow them, but I also am a die-hard Miami Heat fan. The night LeBron James announced he was signing with the Heat, I started cheering in the middle of a TV show taping and had to call my son to share the joy. When he decided to go back to the Cavaliers, the mood was pretty somber at my house.
5. I now dread flying. Traveling has always been one of my hobbies and I had no qualms about catching a plane to my next adventure. All of that changed once I became a mom. Any slight turbulence makes my heart race and all I can do during a bumpy flight is pray we land safely because my kids need me. I pay the overpriced internet fee so I can distract myself with Facebook or annoy my teen son with Whatsapp messages and emojis.
6. Channeling my inner Uber driver. Even David Beckham feels like he became a taxi driver for his four kids. It begins with school drop off and pickup, but it continues with after-school activities, sports tournaments, birthday parties, play dates and special events at school. It’s never-ending!
7. Found true, unconditional love. While bonding with your baby may take time, for me, love was instant. And the more my children grown, the more I love them. Yes, it’s a cliché, but you experience a very unique and unconditional type of love once you have a child. I am thankful for that every single day of my life as a parent. Even when I feel overwhelmed, exhausted or unequipped to deal with the trials and tribulations of raising kids in this crazy world.

What do you find has changed for you after becoming a parent?