As the only (surviving) child of my parents, my younger brother died when he was just 18 months old, I had grown accustomed to being focused only on myself for almost 30 years.

So, even when I got married, that still didn’t change my perspective of life.

Change of perspective

However all that changed when I became a parent. Suddenly, I was not just responsible for myself, I am also responsible for another human being.

I would learn later on that everything I say, do, or feel have a profound impact on my child. For better or for worse.

Work first, then family

Before I became a parent, my work was the most important thing in my life. It was even more important than my wife.

I recalled telling my wife that I had to work so I can support the family.

So based on that outlook, I would fit in work first and whatever time that’s left over would then be family time.

Family first, then business

That, for me, has now changed. Being a parent literally turned my life upside down.

I now put family time first, and whatever is left is then filled up with work.

As a result of that change, I have dramatically changed my life:

• I used to keep late nights; I now wake up at 4.30am in the morning.
• I used to smoke up to 15 sticks a day; I now no longer smoke and I now exercise almost every day.
• I used to read books that are only related to work; I now read the Bible every day.

How have becoming a parent changed your life

I know for many people, becoming a parent is a major milestone in their lives. It literally changed them for the better.

How about you? How have becoming a parent changed your life?