Not talking about your kids.

[Farah]

Can you do it? I'm not saying not bringing up your child at all in conversation, but can you talk about things beyond your child? DH and I were talking about this last night and I was venting to him about how going out with the moms with my playgroup always ends up with us all talking about our kids. That's it. No one really talks about us...as people beyond our roles as mom and wife.

I feel like it's like when I went to the bars after work when I was teaching and got annoyed at everyone just talking about their lesson plans, students, and administration. It drove me nuts! We know you teach! We know it's your job, but isn't there more to you than just your "job"? I guess I feel the same about this...I feel like it makes me lose my identity. What did I enjoy before I had DS? Who was I before mom and wife?

Does anyone else feel like this? :blush:

[AshleyMommyto2]

Yes I can, and really enjoy the conversation have.
I too feel I have lost my idenity it's like when I pick Eli up from the sitters all the little kids yell "IT'S Eli'S MOMMY"!! What happen to Ashley...

[Elaine]

My life revolves around poopy diapers, snotty noses and toddler hissy fits. I get all of 2 or 3 hours a day that are not wrapped up in a toddler. It's tough to talk about something other than that because that's all I know right now. Even with things like reading groups and park play time (where there are other moms) being Ben's mom is now my life.

I'll tell you one thing though. If I could hug the internet I would! :P In this day and age people don't "hang out" with their neighbours etc. like they did when I was a kid so going online is the perfect outlet to meet and socialize with people. For me, being stuck in the house for a good portion of the winter (we have one car and my DH takes it to work everyday) going online and chatting with people saved my sanity. :twothumbs:

[Ashley]

I think that it's common to talk about them a little bit, but I know when I have the chance to go out, the last thing we want to talk about is our kids! If we hadn't seen each other in a while, the first few minutes would be kid updates, but that was it. I just joined a new playgroup down here, (yikes) so we'll see how it goes with this crowd. I hope not though, because sometimes you just need a break!

[Andrea]

I am capable of having a conversation about things besides kids. I don't get much of a chance though. All the conversations I have are on the phone with family and friends. Of course I know that they want to know how Ava is doing since they can't see her, but once they are all updated....I wouldn't mind if someone asked how I was doing or my thoughts on something random.

Seriously....whenever I try to talk about something else, they just cut in and bring the conversation back to Ava. I kinda feel like an ******* now.... :blush:

[Heather]

I think alot of it has to do w/ the people your around, too. Now that we have kids, we tend to hang out more w/ friends who have kids, too, friends who we may not have hung out w/ before. So if that's what we have in common, then ofcourse that's what we'll talk more about. Now if I'm talking to a friend I've had for 25 years, we have WAY more to talk about than just the kids (like who we've seen on FB that are now bald or fat :blush: :lol: ).

[Elaine]

Good point Heather! When I'm talking with my old friends, even when my best friend is over with her 2.5 year old, we talk about everything but our kids (who's doing, I mean dating, who, and general gossip like that). Most of my old friends have kids too though so at some point kids do come into the conversation... :P