Kid wrangling is hard. It’s hard full time; it’s hard part-time. It’s hard, well, pretty much all the time. Ah yes, those little “bundles” of joy cost you physically, emotionally and financially. So, what are these little ankle biters actually good for? I’ve been a full-time mother for over eight years now, and I confess I sometimes contribute to the chorus of mothering complaints. But parenthood has some unexpected (and helpful) perks. Admittedly they may not be quite as exciting as the perks of my previous job (corporate travel, salary bonuses and after work drinks) but useful nonetheless.

Here are five clear perks of being a parent: