10 Things to Do Before You Have Kids – Pshaw. Do them AFTER kids!

Even though I have kids, I decided to click on this article I stumbled upon the other day—just to see what I was missing and/or didn’t do before I decided to, supposedly, abruptly end every fun and freedom left in the world before having children.

As I was reading down the list, I’m thinking, “What the….I can still do these things.” And so can you, Parents of the World, here’s how:

1. Go on a wine-tasting tour at a vineyard.
Flag Hill Farm & Vineyard, located in Lee NH, is right in our own backyard! As an active vineyard, all wines are produced and bottled on site and offers 6 varieties of grapes including North American, such as Niagara, French Hybrid such as Marechal Foch and Vignoles, and American Hybrid such as Cayuga (all this means to me is “wine”). The tasting room is open year round and tastings are always free.

In the warmer seasons, you can feel free to roam the grounds and check out the beautiful vineyards. The dining room is open year round and dinners are generally held once a month on Fridays in the summer and Fridays or Saturdays in the fall, winter, and spring (see here for a schedule). So there!

2. Go skydiving/bungee jumping/swimming with sharks…or whatever other crazy, life-risking thing you’ve got on your bucket list.
I’ve never been one to be interested in any of these things, but that’s just because I’m an intense chicken. However, I did recently hear about Skyventure in Manchester, an indoor skydiving facility that allows you to feel like you’re skydiving, but without the risk of impending death. They even allow 3 year olds, so you know it’s safe, but you still get that adrenalin rush. If you’re into that kind of thing.

3. Make a list of all the restaurants and bars you’ve been meaning to check out — and go.
Why must you be childless for this? If you don’t have a trusted babysitter, switch kid-watching responsibilities with another family once a month (who wouldn’t agree to this?). Date night and kids aren’t mutually exclusive. Anyways, you gotta eat, right?

4. Appreciate the bathroom — alone.
I don’t know who enjoys the bathroom this much, but just lock the door.

5. Take a road trip.
I’ve done this many times with kids. Sometimes we just hop in the car, drive South, find some cool restaurants, shops or outside trails, find a cute hotel with a pool and just enjoy a spontaneous weekend. Ok, I’ve never actually done this, but I could, and that’s the point.

6. Be spontaneous.
See #5

7. Spend an entire day in bed together watching movies.
This isn’t actually all that fun. Like kids, adults get cabin fever, too—so an all-day inside movie marathon makes anyone gasp for fresh air eventually (oh, and don’t forget the sore back and dull headache). If you have little ones, grab a bed-and-a-movie during their naptime. With older kids, RedBox a family movie and all hop into bed together. Go ahead and make popcorn, you can brush off the crumbs later.

8. Fly first class.
I’ve had the good fortune to fly first class before and after kids, and let me tell you, you’ll enjoy it about 40,000 times more once you’re a parent. Sometimes you can get inexpensive upgrades upon check-in (worth every penny), or if you’re an ace in the charm department, sweet talk the person behind the counter. Did I mention this is only fun if you’re flying without the kids?

9. Wear as much silk, cashmere, dry-clean-only clothing as you possibly can, while you still can.
Geez Louise. Just because you’re a parent now doesn’t mean you need to dress like a hobo. Am I going to wear a silk maxi-dress while giving my kids a bath? Probably not, but you won’t see me out to dinner/girls night/baby shower in a pair of freaking sweat pants either.

10. Take a career risk.
If you are career-oriented and relish in the pride and accomplishment derived from your profession, why would you ever stop taking risks?

Hey, parents are people, too! Just because we decided to give life to another human being, make them the priority and nurture and love them into oblivion doesn’t mean our own identities died when the umbilical cord was cut. The singles and the childless may have a Saturday to do absolutely nothing, but they also don’t get the warmth of little arms and hands wrapped around their necks and the chest-bursting feeling of love. I’ll take the latter.

What kinds of things do you still do now that you have kids?