Parenting it's a juggling act .....

..... it's easy to get lost sometimes, in the frustrating things, like being overtired, not having time to go to the gym or the toilet, not being allowed to hold a proper conversation, but what's the bigger picture? What do we gain? Lazy Daisy is a really positive space, which to me seems like a great foundation for the life changing journey that is parenthood. So this week I asked fellow parents if parenthood gave them a greater sense of purpose in life.

Here are ten of the life enhancing changes children made in our lives, do you agree?

Have you forgotten how to play? Being around children encourages you to explore the world through play again.  It's liberating and you soon discover your preferred style. As mum to a toddler, Ipshita says, 'I'm reliving my childhood through her.'  Like Ipshita, I like nothing better than building dens out of old boxes and blankets, fashioning costumes from the dressing up box and setting sail on intrepid adventures.  I'm also partial to a bit of lego, playdough, some sticking and painting, baking, and discos with maraca shaking. I don't like games with rules, but fortunately my husband loves video games, board games and following lego instruction booklets religiously.

Are you stuck in a creative rut? Children have a natural ability to think creatively, and have little or no inhibitions when it comes to self expression.  Many parents find they  sing more, dance more, perform more, and make more.  Babies love to hear their parents sing, to be danced around the kitchen, to watch you pull silly faces. My children's favourite on long car journeys as babies was, a mime show in which I peered around the car seat with a different facial expressions. Creating new play ideas keeps you creatively challenged.

Lifelong learning. The learning curve as a parent is huge in itself, but couple it with everything you learn with your children, and you have a virtual explosion of brain activity. When a baby sticks out their tongue, smiles or reaches out to grab a toy they are conducting their own little scientific experiments with the world. If I smile what will Daddy do, if I pull her hair what will Mummy do, what does this rattle do when I bang it against my foot? Before long they'll be asking why questions... how far it is to the moon, why is it a different time of day in Australia, why has that lady only got one leg, why do grown ups go to bed later than children, why do they drink wine? Trying to stay one step ahead of a little scientist can renew your love and understanding of the world.

Do you need to get out more? Children are naturally happy outdoors.  Babies love staring at the sky, my mum swore by putting us to sleep bundled in our pram, watching washing blowing on the line.  As children grow,pram walks become expeditions to the park, forest, hills and sea, wellies and muddy puddles, sand, water, collecting leaves and sticks and building dens.  Children are never happier than when allowed to potter outdoors, and their grown ups find it surprisingly calming too.

Confidence boost.  Whilst it's a steep learning curve, and no parent is ever free of guilt or self doubt, many people find they come into their own as parents. Ali from the blog Over a Cuppa felt 'being a parent gave me confidence. It was like "Yes, this is where I feel most comfortable, and me".'

Live in the now. It's not easy to switch off from analysing the past and worrying about the future as an adult, but babies and children are experts at living in the now, and it's a very healthy place to be. When you're having a tough day, or in difficult times, they can really help to lift your mood and keep you taking the baby steps needed to pull through to happier times. Having someone else to think about, although demanding, can also take you outside of yourself. Christine of Thinly Spread agrees, 'Mine made me slow down and appreciate the simple things...and love til my heart almost burst!'

Achieve more. Sometimes it doesn't feel like you are achieving much for yourself, especially with a newborn.   In the early days you need to sleep when the baby sleeps, but once they sleep more at night things start to change.  As the days pass, you might begin to notice your productivity increasing, especially in those moments when they are asleep. Your ability to multi task is now awesome.  Emma who runs fashion accessory company Scarlet Dragonfly agrees, 'I get full use out of every hour in the day. My time management is now superb'.

Career driven. Many people find their career priorities come into focus and, once they readjust to being back at work, parents are often more productive employees.  Ruth who blogs at Minibreakmummy,explained that 'becoming a mum gave my working life more confidence and a sense of perspective, which meant I went for, and got, a more senior and higher paid job.'  Sian, blogger at Geek is the New Chic and founder of Cybher explained 'I've been a mum since I was 18. My children help me to focus, it's all for them after all'.

New ventures. Once the fog of the newborn days has cleared, there's something about the routine of small baby tasks that gives the brain a chance to breathe once more. It was when I decided I didn't want to return to teaching and that I wanted to fulfill my dreams to write.  Spending more time at home and less time eating and drinking out, made it possible for me to afford to do a writing course.  Some people opt for new careers or set up new businesses. Ipishita worked in science for many years but rediscovered her love of sewing and creativity when pregnant.  The baby's arrival encouraged her to take the plunge. She set up Minor Edition, making girls dresses. Helen set up Business plus Baby when her eldest was 14 months and she was 8 months pregnant, to help other parents to grow a business around a young family.

Team work. I won't lie, since children, my husband and I argue more, mainly silly bickering when we've been jumped on by a child at 6am, or when both children are going for Oscar winning meltdown performances at bedtime.  But, we also have a much bigger sense of achievement, we have two kids, we raised them, they've turned out pretty well, they're a bit of him and a bit of me, and a lot of us.

The meaning of life.  For many parents children seem to provide answers to the big questions in life.  Ruth of Geek Mummy explains 'before I had kids, I was drifting through life, now I have a family I feel like I have a purpose, from the time we started trying for kids I felt like I had an "end goal" and it suddenly got easier to make hard decisions.' Mama C of Me plus 2 related to this new found sense of purpose, 'I became a mum at 16, it helped me map out my life, being single it made me want to achieve & now I have two beautiful babies.'  As Emma of Mummy Mummy Mum says, 'Mine have made me realise how precious life is and how we should appreciate every second'.

How do you think children will change your life for the better?  Or for those who are already parents, how have children enhanced your life?