"Parenting without a sense of humor is like being an accountant who sucks at math." Amber Dusick, Author of "Crappy Parenting."
When people say parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, they sometimes fail to mention the sleepless nights and multiple diaper changes that make up the job description. They even forget to mention that weird kid who likes to go everywhere without shoes. But not writer, illustrator, and full-time mom Adrienne Hedger.
Adrienne is saying the quiet part out loud with this cartoon collection that shows what a day in the life of a parent, nay mother, looks like. Look out for absurd logic, unending sibling rivalry, and embarrassing conversations that'll have you shaking your head in amusement.
Oh, How the Turn Tables
Studies show that overtiredness at bedtime is one of many reasons why kids often wake up too early the next day. Adrienne experienced the drawbacks of this phenomenon firsthand when her daughter, Claire, would wake her up too early in the morning.
However, what goes around often comes around. And now that Claire is older and of school age, her mom gets to return the favor by waking her up early in the morning too. What's that if not Karma?
An Unbreakable Bond
Spanish great-grandma Maria Branyas Morera got her name added to the Guinness World Records as the oldest living person in the world. And even though she's been alive for more than 100 years, she's bound to still have a great relationship with the babies in the family.
At least, that's the way it was with Adrienne's grandmother. At age 91, she had a lot of fun spending time with her great grand-daughter, doing something as mindless as rolling Play-Doh into shapes.
Peak Sibling Rivalry
Sibling rivalry means what it sounds like—petty arguments and fights among siblings. It's often fueled by jealousy and envy and, in most cases, fizzles out as the children grow older.
And as this cartoon shows, the rivalry often revolves around petty things like sitting in one's chair, copying their posture, or hurrying to perform a task in another's place. Studies also show that this kind of competition peaks between ages eight and 12. However, it may end or continue into adulthood.
Why the Dad Voice Works
Children always seem to have a lot of energy reserves, which is why they can play for hours without getting exhausted or bored. However, this unending excitement may be a source of headache for parents, especially at nighttime.
At such times, the mom may instruct the kids to put their toys away and prepare for bed. But as this cartoon shows, kids can easily ignore that. Well, that's when most parents know to pull out the big guns—the dad voice!
What Dads Mean When They Say They're Not Sleepy
Another thing that changes when people become parents is their bedtime. Couples without kids can enjoy a vibrant social life and attend all-night events before crashing into bed as the next day breaks.
But no parent can afford that luxury. Instead, they often fall asleep soon after the kids have been put to bed. So even though Adrienne's husband here found it absurd that he could go to bed at 8:00 p.m., that's exactly what he ended up doing.
What It's Like to Run Errands as a Parent
Parenting sometimes makes the simplest chores a million times more difficult, and here's proof. Without kids, it takes about 25 minutes for people to do some grocery shopping and pick up the dry cleaning.
However, once kids enter the picture, that 25 minutes is dedicated to making sure the child is perfectly dressed for an outing. Then there's the struggle of getting them into the car seat—it has to be one that fits the child's size and is installed correctly.
What Completing a Chore Feels Like
Having realized how complicated it often is for parents to get their kids ready to go run errands, it's easy to tell how equally frustrating it could be for those same parents to get some work done in the house.
The way Adrienne puts it, the feeling of accomplishment that comes with putting the laundry away the same day it gets done is nothing compared to how she'd feel winning the Nobel Peace Prize like human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski did in 2022.
When Kids Hide Their True Selves
Many parents often ask themselves, "Why does my child behave for everyone except me?" Such questions may come after another parent gives glowing reviews about their kid's conduct during a visit or outing.
While many may assume this happens because their kid prefers the company of other parents, researchers believe it may be the opposite. Children often feel more comfortable with their parents, so they don't feel the need to put on an act. However, such ease is absent from others.
Dads Can Sleep Through an Earthquake
Scientists are yet to pinpoint the reason why dads seem to sleep more deeply than their married partners. Or why loud sounds are okay, but light sensitivity brings them so much discomfort.
This comic shows that Adrienne's husband can stay asleep through a loud conflict between the kids, clanging pans, and dogs barking. But once a penlight comes on in bed, his eyes open immediately.
NEXT: No matter how much kids want a new toy, this always happens in the end.
Kids and Their Short Attention Spans
A survey conducted in the United Kingdom in 2021 showed that most children get bored with a toy within a month. Interestingly, this doesn't stop them from obsessing over some items and throwing tantrums if their wish isn't granted.
As Adrienne shows, children act like life won't go on if they don't get a particular item, but when they do, it doesn't take long before the high fades and a new obsession enters the scene. Of course, the forgotten toys end up as clutter.
The Kid Has No Shoes
People may argue that children are only as expensive as you make them. However, the proof is in the pudding, as they say. As prices soared in 2021, many recorded that evidence of inflation could be found no further than children's feet.
In September of that year alone, the price of kids' shoes rose to 12% higher than the previous year. However, children are hardly ever aware of these issues. That must be why they don't consider shoes much of a priority when heading out.
The Low-Maintenance Mom Lifestyle
There's no time like life before kids. People are free to embrace their identity and self-expression and prioritize maintenance. Just look at how much effort Adrienne used to dedicate to her hair routine.
However, the responsibilities of parenthood leave no room for such frivolities. After all, what's to stop the kids from running their sticky hands all through their mother's freshly-washed hair? There is no use to even bother with a comb. Just popped on a face cap, and voila!
How Often Should I Brush My Teeth?
Routines are important for kids because they provide some form of structure in their lives and help them feel safe. But parents also have a lot to gain from creating well-planned routines. Reduced stress and more time for hobbies are just a few of the perks.
And what's a routine that doesn't make time for hygiene? Here Adrienne explains how children never understand why it's necessary for them to brush their teeth every day. Interestingly, such reminders aren't necessary when it comes to playtime.
One Trip Is All It Takes
As hilarious as this cartoon is, it speaks to a phenomenon that applies to many, not just moms. Something about making multiple trips to the car after shopping just seems like a waste of time. So many prefer to risk their muscles by lifting as many bags as possible.
One way to avoid this burden is to avoid shopping at the grocery store altogether. People who hate grocery shopping may cite reasons such as long lines, low-quality products, and poor customer service.
Your Closet Is Mine, Mom
Fashion is cyclical. The trend taking the world by storm in 2023 are remakes of styles that were popular in the 1990s and 2000s, and this phenomenon will continue for much longer. But there are a lot of factors that shape a child's sense of style.
Trends popular among their peers play a role. So does the style of their favorite celebrities or internet influencers. And then there's mom's closet which contains so many treasures that teens just can't seem to keep their hands off.
There's No Such Thing as Gross
One lesson parents learn early in the child-raising process is that there is no such thing as gross. Boogers? Not too slimy to touch. Poop? It's a regular part of life; no one can escape diaper changes.
It's not that none of these things are no longer disgusting. Parents tend to prioritize a child's needs and well-being over personal comfort. Still, no one ought to make that last one a habit. Not when there's a toilet or a trashcan nearby.
When Mom Becomes Trash Can
The ancient Romans were the first to devise a means of waste collection. Unlike the waste basket units of today, people back then loaded their trash into a wagon which then took it to an isolated location for disposal.
Centuries later, Eugene Poubelle made the first metal trash can, and Charles Harrison created the first plastic waste basket. Despite their fame, none of these inventors can earn the respect of children who consider everything and everyone but actual trash cans as places to throw rubbish.
Kids Don't Understand the Concept Do Driving
Another frustrating thing about parenting is having to deal with the incessant requests children make when their parents are at the wheel. It's almost as if the concept of driving in a moving vehicle doesn't register in their little brains.
Still, no matter how frustrated parents and guardians get, it's important to look out for the interest and safety of the wards in the vehicle. Always remember to fasten the seatbelt before the car is in motion and keep kids entertained.
Experts at Matchmaking
A classic parenting move is trying to play the ultimate matchmaker. Parents who do this must consider how fun it would be to tighten the bond of friendship by becoming family through marriage.
However, with marriage rates going down each year, parents may have to devise a replacement tactic. In 2021 the marriage rate in the United States was six per 1,000 people, a massive decrease compared to the early 1990s.
NEXT: Why does daylight savings mess up kids' sleep schedules?
I See the Sun!
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice of turning the clock ahead during warmer weather and reversing the process in the colder months. The idea is to make better use of daylight by prolonging how much time people spend outdoors before night falls.
However, this logic becomes less favorable when kids are expected to go to bed when it's still light out. The reverse is having kids crash before bedtime and then waking up earlier than usual the next day.
When Kids Can't Keep Secrets
Children find it difficult to keep secrets, especially when it relates to something they're excited about. This is why Adrienne almost always finds out about her gifts a day before Mother's Day.
Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia conceived the idea of Mother's Day in 1908 during a memorial service held following the death of her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis. Now on the second Sunday of May every year, children around the United States celebrate and honor the sacrifices of their mothers.
Children and Selective Fatigue
Children only have energy for what they enjoy, and parents just have to deal with that. Most kids are up for fun things like watching a favorite show or playing with toys. However, tasks like brushing teeth or taking a bath inspire levels of fatigue unknown to man.
Children's hilarious antics aside, fatigue is a real issue that plagues many people, parents included. It's a feeling of constant weakness and exhaustion that could develop as a physical or mental symptom or both.
After Effect of Receiving the Lice Letter
Insects often inspire fear in people, but some within that genus inspire a higher level of disgust, and lice belong on that list. What's not to hate? They easily spread from person to person and are difficult to get rid of.
They also lead to itchy scalps, scratching, open wounds, and infection. It's, therefore, necessary for school authorities to inform parents whenever a case of head lice is detected at school. However, something about reading it infects parents with imaginary lice.
Selective Hearing Is Every Parent's Nightmare
Selective hearing, like selective fatigue, is another habit many parents and guardians have to contend with while raising children. If it's something fun and within their realm of interest? Kids will be up for it. But calls to do chores are easily ignored.
In this cartoon, the mother asks the child to help set the table, but he appears too engrossed in whatever he's listening to. Let's hope those headphones are the volume-limiting kind that is specifically designed for young children.
When Parents Can't Keep Track of Days
Nothing makes the days go by fast like being a parent. One day it's the start of January, and the family is getting over the holiday feels. And the next it's the start of June, and summer break is around the corner.
Interestingly, there's a word for people who can't feel the passage of time. Dyschronometria, or distorted time perception, is a condition of cerebellar dysfunction that prevents an individual from accurately estimating the amount of time that has passed.
Taste Testing for the Good of All
Market researchers would say that taste testing is a type of research food manufacturers host to measure the likes and dislikes of their target customers while weighing key performance indicators of their products against that of competitors.
But parents would say it's nothing that complicated. While parents may often take a bit of food before passing it to kids to ensure it's not too hot or spicy, this cartoon portrays something entirely different. Maybe Mom should get her own plate.
When Kids Do the Random Info Dump
Anyone with experience with kids should know that conversations with them never follow a regular progression. They could be talking about their favorite cartoon one moment and then chip in some random and highly unlikely factoid, and one simply has to nod along.
The little girl in this cartoon has somehow decided that unicorns don't fart rainbows, but pandas do. Well, she's wrong. But while pandas may not fart rainbows, they at least have six-digit paws, which provide extra grip while they climb.
When Kids Think They Can Trick the System
Time progression in the kid world differs from time progression for the rest of us. So if a child doesn't get their way today, nothing stops them from trying again the day after. So what if it's a rule? They're made to be broken.
This child would like two vitamins a day. That means they probably understand the importance of vitamins in helping the body resist infection, produce energy and keep the nerves healthy. But Mother says it's one a day.
Dealing With Incessant Demands
Going out with kids requires impeccable planning and time management skills. This is doubly important when the destination is the beach. Parents need to pack the essentials—sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, rash vests, and a massive blanket.
But refreshments—lots of water—extra towels, fold-up chairs, and an umbrella are also necessary. Lugging the entire load from the car to the beach becomes a hundred times more complicated when kids begin making the most random demands without realizing that your hands are full.
NEXT: All moms can relate to this experience.
Four Stages of Sleep Moms Go Through
Moms often have the world's weight on their shoulders, so nighttime goes differently for them than others. According to Adrienne, the first stage of a terrible night's sleep is waking up to realize it's not daybreak yet.
Stage two is for overthinking. This is when mothers begin to analyze their friendships, try to remember the middle name of their favorite actress, and consider starting yoga. Stage three calculates how much time is left before daybreak, and the final stage is the wake-up time!
When Kids Are Allowed to Dress Themselves
Experts in child development believe children should be allowed to dress themselves around the age of three. Of course, this suggestion depends on how much practice the child has had or how interested they are in making style decisions with minimal parental input.
But because children hardly ever have a sense of what's fitting for what occasion, they could end up wearing the most random collection of clothes when given free rein. In this case, Adrienne's kid decided her favorite stuffed toys were the outfit.
Winner of Mom of the Year
If there's one thing parents can relate to is the fear of being judged by other parents, especially in a public setting. As Adrienne aptly put it, parents often go from threatening their kids in public to acting nice and loving once they catch sight of an acquaintance.
This phenomenon is quite understandable. After all, every parent wants to be free to correct wrongdoing without incurring the wrath of passersby. However, such tactics are only encouraged when no harm is done to the child.
Comfort Over Style
Being a mom means stepping out to pick up the mail in a fluffy bathrobe and morning breath and not caring who else is outside at the time. It doesn't matter that bathrobes are originally meant to be worn in private.
The point of bathrobes, or dressing gowns as they were once called, is to cover the body during the time between having a shower and picking out an outfit. That also explains why they're often made with the same absorbent material as towels.
When Kids Won't Stop Talking
The parents here find it impressive that their kids can talk nonstop. But there are many reasons why kids may enjoy doing so. The first and obvious reason is that they are passionate about something and want to share every detail with the people around them.
However, it could also be because the child is stressed and unable to self-regulate, so they talk until they get tired. Excessive talking may also be a sign of a developmental or behavioral issue.
Christmas Day Shenanigans
Christmas is extra special to kids because Santa's story emphasizes the advantages of good behavior. It is also one time of the year that, apart from birthdays, when they're most likely to get many presents.
The decorations, yummy food, and visits from friends and family are perks of the seasonal holiday that put children in the best mood. And the excitement begins the moment they wake up on December 25. Of course, parents are the first recipients of their enthusiasm.
The Universal Forgetfulness
One moment many can relate to is finding a note and having no clue what event it was supposed to remind them of. Of course, this usually happens to people with packed schedules and too many things to keep track of, AKA moms.
This amusing scenario only emphasizes the relevance of online calendars and reminders. Wouldn't it be easier to set a reminder with all relevant details instead of writing a vague note on a piece of paper that can be easily misplaced?
For the Love of Swimming
Swimming is one of the most popular pastimes in many countries across the globe. However, it wasn't until 1896, during the inception of the Olympic Games, that competitive swimming became a thing.
The events were originally for men, but women's events were added in 1912. By the 1970s, the only techniques strokes allowed were reduced to backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. Sadie here may be nursing big dreams of being an Olympic swimmer. That's the only explanation for her antics in this cartoon.
When Kids Hate Summer Camp
A con of living with children who develop new interests every month is the amount parents spend on nurturing each of those interests. Three months before, this girl was excited about basketball camp, and now the idea is sending her into a rage.
Summer camps—like the Los Angeles Clippers basketball camps for youths aged six to 14—are a good idea for kids as highly organized programs can provide a safe environment for children to develop relevant skills alongside their peers.
Dogs Will Always Love You
One of the hardest pills for many parents to swallow is realizing that their children's lives and interests will not always revolve around them. However, knowing this doesn't stop parents from hurting when their presence is ignored.
Thankfully, dogs never have a problem showing affection. And this gray-haired hound in the comic couldn't resist showing its excitement even though Mom just stepped out for a minute.
NEXT: That moment when you realize past years' struggles are tame compared to life as a parent.
A Different Kind of Struggle
The first slide shows a time when all this woman had to worry about was putting sunscreen on her back. And in the second, she has to divide her attention between three equally excitable children—not an easy job.
At least she had her priorities right from the very beginning. Having a fun day at the beach or poolside is impossible without prioritizing sun protection. The potential risks include skin cancer, scarring, burns and discoloration, premature aging, and immune system suppression.
Why Call When You Can Text?
Once Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, it was long until more people installed the gadget in their homes and businesses. Alpinton banker Alfred Galpin was even the first to embrace the innovation in the United States.
The relative novelty of the telephone made people excited to make calls. But now that phones have evolved to what they are now, people no longer prioritize calls. So it's interesting to see the contrast between being a teenager in the 1980s and 2023.
Laundry Rules According to Kids
Adrienne's kids have a unique way of identifying what clothes are dirty and which are not. But that's not all. It's best to remove pants with underwear attached, and getting clothes three feet away from the hamper is perfectly acceptable.
While there's no definite age to teach kids about laundry, some believe it is fair to begin at age two. Kids of that age can learn about sorting dirty clothes, and by the time they get older, they can pick up the rest.
The Right Way to Sort Candy
Speaking of sorting, one of the best parts of Halloween is having a ton of candy to eat. And anyone who thinks Halloween is just a children's holiday ought to reassess that opinion. Especially as Adrienne here is having a good time stealing her kids' candy.
That said, here are a few rules to remember during the spooky season. Ensure that the kids' costumes are weather-appropriate and flame-retardant. Only go to homes with a porch light and a well-lit pathway. And always inspect the candy.
Them's the Rules
Charging wars may occur in homes with too many gadgets and not as many chargers. While a simple solution would be to remedy that situation and get a couple more chargers, kids may use their peculiar sense of justice to determine who gets to charge at specific times.
Old-generation iPhones and iPads only had USB-A capabilities, but newer versions now use USB-C and lightning Cables. And though third-party adapters can charge Apple products, it's best to ensure they meet safety standards first.
Weird Games Children Play
Studies show that children are not born with a sense of humor and need to develop one. Kids with a good sense of humor are happier, less stressed, and have higher self-esteem.
School-age children may embrace humor in words like riddles, jokes, and puns, and children with humorous parents have a higher chance of being just as playful. So it's okay that this child thinks it's okay to start a race when she's already ahead of everyone. She's just being funny.
When Dad Gets the Cookies First
Girl Scout cookies are usually sold by Girl Scouts in the United States to raise funds for the council and troops. Unfortunately, Dad got to the cookies when no one was looking, much to the annoyance of everyone. Guess this is the perfect time to say, "You snooze, you lose."
A perfect punishment would be to ask him to bake a new batch of cookies. Luckily the internet has its fair share of cookie recipes that mirror the taste of the original Girl Scout cookies.
The Aftermath of Working Out
Physical activity and exercise is necessary for a healthy life. Not only does it help improve brain health and weight management, but staying active can reduce the risks of certain diseases while strengthening bones and muscles.
However, it's important to start out within the realm of one's capabilities. Maybe Adrienne overdid it by signing up for a boot camp right at the start. Word on the street is that the top exercises for busy moms include squats, pushups, glute bridges, and stationary lunges.
The Three Rules of Toddler Rebellion
Children will not always want to obey their parent's instructions. And rather than respond with anger and frustration, it's necessary to remain patient. The first step to dealing with defiant behavior is to validate the child's feelings.
It's also nice to set a limit and offer more choices to see if they'll be more inclined. Use humor to diffuse the situation and encourage the child to use their imagination. Still, when a child does comply, don't always expect it to happen willingly.
Why Are Kids So Heavy?
Moms sometimes think it's a good idea to lift their children up. It's a way to remind them of the good old days when they were tiny babies in diapers and spent most of the time in their parent's arms.
While lifting fully grown children is not advisable, the same cannot be said during infancy. Physical touch is vital for early bonding as it has long-term impacts on brain development.
NEXT: Is it really Halloween if these four things don't happen?
What Happens to Halloween Candy?
The Ancient Celts believed that Halloween—or Samhain, as they called it—was when the souls of the dead would return to their homes. So people wore costumes and lit bonfires to help ward off the errant spirits.
Children are almost always excited during the Holiday, and getting tons of candy is a major motivating factor. However, Halloween candy must go through these four stages. It begins with getting dumped on the floor or counter and ends with Mom stealing a few and getting caught.
Might as Well Get a Massage
Boundaries fly out the window when kids want to play. And parenting means being okay with having a car driven around your face or wearing a fancy tutu to have a tea party with a set of Barbie dolls. It doesn't matter how absurd the activity is to an adult.
Still, it's necessary for parents like Adrienne here to make time for themselves. A proper massage would help reduce the stress, pain, and muscle tightness that plagues many busy individuals.
When Mom Is Too Stressed to Play
It's not always that moms are up for a fun game. This cartoon shows Adrienne busy with her laptop and her daughter interrupting her by proposing they play trains. Her expression in the final slide must echo the frustration of everyone who's been in a similar situation.
This would be a good moment to teach the importance of boundaries and understanding that when a person is stressed, they prefer to be left alone and not overstimulated. Would seizing the train be a good move?
The Makings of a Horror Movie
You know that moment in horror movies when a character is stuck in the dark and can feel a presence? So they try to find their way to a well-lit environment when a face suddenly appears in front of them. Yeah, that's exactly how it feels to wake up to a child staring at you.
That's not the only creepy thing kids do at night, though. They sleepwalk, fall out of bed, ask you about things like death, and sometimes sleep with their eyes open.
Dealing With Customer Service
It's fitting to end this list with one more thing children do that drives parents up the wall. Think it's frustrating to call customer service on a regular day? Try doing so in a house full of kids. The constant interruptions and noise will have a person screaming bloody murder.
Good customer service is the hallmark of every worthwhile brand, yet most service representatives inspire frustration in callers. Interestingly, Fortune Business Insights revealed that the global customer experience management market in 2022 was worth $11.34 billion.