Grace began wondering if maybe it was time for new things in life. For one thing, she wasn’t the same Grace John married a few years back.
Her dimensions were not the same, her energy was stuck in low key for a while and the smile on her face that used to brighten up any rainy day had disappeared.
Meet the Richards
John and Grace Richards had it all. He was a sophisticated out-of-a-magazine lawyer, and she was a happy and content real estate agent. They didn't have a worry to their name.
Like all young families, Grace was over the moon when she first got pregnant, however, she had no idea that along with a new baby, so would trouble and hard times be coming her way.
Grace's Pregnancy
Many women carry a difficult pregnancy that can be accompanied by morning sickness, swollen feet, and an overall feeling of discomfort. But not for Grace.
Her pregnancy was easy and full of joy, and she considered them to be the best days of her life. She shone. As soon as the baby was born, things were about to change.
A New Struggle
Everything was a struggle. She found it almost impossible to get back to her normal self and the baby blues she suffered from, took over her life.
She couldn't look at herself in the mirror. Instead of wanting to be close to her baby, all she wanted was to be alone, and worst of all, she felt her husband didn't desire her anymore.
It Wouldn't Go Away
Baby blues can creep up on any woman unexpectedly. It happens when the hormone levels are uneven, combined with the physical changes the body goes through.
Grace didn't know how long this was going to go on and never thought she had to seek medical advice. She just hoped it would disappear.
Back to Life
By the time her baby was eight months old, Grace wanted to go back to work. She felt that being occupied and getting involved with other interests besides her baby would help her get better.
John was busy with his occupation and personal stuff. Grace wanted her own life back too. Little did she know that things were not going to get better, in fact, they were about to get a lot worse.
The New Babysitter
Then Anna came into her life. Anna was the new babysitter Grace hired, so she could get back to work. She was young, talented, educated, and beautiful. Grace felt she won the jackpot.
Anna seemed to be the perfect companion for her baby and for the family, however, Grace was in for a surprise. Anna was a little more than just a babysitter. Grace began observing and analyzing the babysitter's behaviors that bothered her.
First Suspicion
At first, Grace thought she was imagining things. She kept telling herself that she has been under a lot of pressure and that her mind is sometimes stronger than reality. As the days went by, her suspicions of Anna flirting with John were too much to ignore.
Not only was Anna flirting with her husband, but she also caught them once whispering to each other in the hallway. Was Grace imagining things, or was something going on?
A New Path in Life?
If Grace's self-esteem and confidence weren't shoved down to the floor, then the new Anna incident made sure they would. Grace gave birth not so long ago and perhaps John was looking for new and exciting things in life.
On any other day, Grace would have thrown her suspicions out of the window, however, this was happening in her own house and there was a limit to what she was willing to tolerate.
Things Were Changing
Grace began wondering if maybe it was time for new things in life. For one thing, she wasn't the same Grace John married a few years back.
Her dimensions were not the same, her energy was stuck in low key for a while and the smile on her face that used to brighten up any rainy day had disappeared.
Taking Time
Approaching John and confronting him was out of the question. He would probably manage to turn the whole story upside down making Grace feel bad for not trusting him.
She decided to give it some time. Maybe it was all in her head? In the worst case, she will realize nothing was going on, and no one gets hurt. Life, however, had other plans.
Say Cheese
What could be more reliable than a camera? Grace wasted no time and bought two cameras to install in the house. One in the living room and one outside, by the entrance door.
With these cameras, she would be able to see for herself what her husband was up to. She had reached salvation. The cameras were the best way to solve this babysitter/husband mystery.
She Was Determined
As time passed, Grace became more and more suspicious that something was going on between John and Anna. She was uneased and the hope of things brightening up was becoming blurry.
She was certain that what she thought was going on, was indeed taking place. No one could tell her otherwise.
It Was Money Time
One week later, Grace was ready to look the devil in the eye. It was time to sit back and see what the cameras had to reveal. Deep within herself, she was hoping to be wrong.
Feeling nauseous, Grace played the camera's footage and paused each time it featured John and Anna together. Whenever she saw them alone, she paid careful attention, ready to confront her findings.
It Was Getting Too Close
Anna, being Anna, showed affection towards John which was revealed very clearly in the camera's films. What concerned Grace the most, was John's reaction to Anna's behavior and body language. She couldn't get her eyes off the screens.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door which ended her daily drama session, and she had to turn the documentary off.
An Unexpected Suprise
Just like in any good thriller, Anna was the one on the other side of the door. Anna put on her charming and irresistible smile and said that she has come to pick up her paycheck. She added that she was expecting to see John.
Oh was she, Grace thought to herself. She painted a fake smile on her face and before she managed to respond, John walked in.
Taking Things Outside
John insisted on paying Anna, not allowing Grace to reach for her purse. Not only that, he insisted on doing so outside and not in front of Grace. He walked Anna to her car.
John foolishly thought Grace went back into the house, however, she was there all along watching the cameras. She couldn't get her eyes off the two knowing that all of her suspicions were about to become her new reality.
Beyond the Eye Contact
John had always been an attractive man. Women have forever checked him out, but there was something more than that when it came to Anna. She wasn't just flirting with him. The two of them were communicating.
Grace knew she had to stay on high alert as without notice, she could turn around and her marriage would fall apart and be over.
Little Black Dress
Still watching the cameras, Anna's clothing drew Grace's attention. Maybe if some other less attractive girl would have worn the same little black outfit she wouldn't have been so concerned, but on Anna, it looked seductive.
Grace tried to push her thoughts aside and not pay attention to things that weren't really happening, however, the next thing that occurred couldn't leave her oblivious to the situation.
Physical Attraction
Anna placed her hand on John's arm. Grace could almost feel the warmth emitting from her hand. It was there and then that Grace knew for certain that something was going on. There was no need for storytelling. It was presented in front of her eyes.
John and Anna were romanticly involved, living a completely separate life in a parallel world and not making an effort in hiding it. Grace was devastated, however, she didn't want to allow her grief to take over.
Blindfolded
Grace sat in front of the screen struggling to keep her tears away, and watched Anna and John walk towards the hallway. Anna approached closer to John and said something that Grace could only wish to hear.
What happened next, not only escalated Grace's sickening feelings but also revealed John in a light that was way out of character. This was not the man she married. Grace felt that her heart was about to stop.
No Words Needed
Anna and John looked closer than ever. John had his back to the camera so grace couldn't read his lips to try and figure out what he was saying. Understanding Anna was no issue as she said so much with so few words just by gesturing her little outfit at John.
Grace felt that the world froze. She couldn't stop staring at the screen and looking at her husband and the babysitter. She was watching her world being torn apart with her own two eyes.
The Moment of Truth
Grace continued to watch the footage and as John escorted Anna away from the house's entrance, Grace switched on to watch what the outdoor camera had to reveal. She felt the moment of truth was approaching and reality was about to explode.
Grace carefully watched John and Anna, however, what she was about to see was very different than what she was expecting. It looked as if John and Anna were having an argument. Was John breaking up with Anna?
Put Thing to an End
John rushed back into the house and left Anna crying outside all alone. Grace couldn't help herself and she ran out to her husband. "I fired her," John said. " I don't like the way she is treating me", he added.
Grace couldn't believe what she was hearing. He doesn't approve of how she is treating him? She asked herself. What was he expecting? Grace was confused and wanted to get to the bottom of this. If John and Anna are not having an affair, then what was going on?
More Than Ever
John turned out to be a more loving husband than Grace could ever wish for. He explained to her that he didn't approve of Anna flirting with him. That it was disrespectful towards her (Grace) and towards their baby.
Apparently, he had asked Anna on more than one occasion to stop behaving the way she does, but she never took his words seriously. Anna made John feel uncomfortable in his own house and he didn't like it.
Coming Clean
Grace felt she had to come clean and shared with John what she had been going through. She told him about her suspicions, and about the cameras. She broke down and cried.
She felt guilty for not trusting her husband and for spying on him. She went on and said that ever since the baby was born, she was simply not herself. She thought he wasn't interested anymore and that their marriage was over.
Confession
John was shocked. He had no idea what Grace was going through. This was all new to him. If only she would have shared with him how she felt. He was devastated as much as Grace was.
They openly spoke about all that had happened, understanding that if they would have communicated with one another, all of this could have been avoided.
The Days After
After everyone came clean, Anna obviously lost her job. There was no room for people like her in the Richards home and no room for babysitters of that sort in Grace and John's lives.
But whatever happened to Grace? Did she ever recover from the condition she's been dragging since she gave birth? Did she ever come to terms with not being able to fight her battle on her own?
Do You Have to Let It Linger?
Grace's depression and posttrauma lingered on for a long time. After the John and Anna story, Grace knew she needed professional help and things weren't just going to disappear.
Her doctor assured her that she was not by herself on this rocking boat. That almost 20% of women suffer from similar syndrome after giving birth. For the first time in a long while, Grace didn't feel alone.
Breathing Once Again
It took almost one month of treatment and therapy for things to get back to normal and one morning, Grace woke up and felt that she could breathe again. Air was filling up her lungs and she was at ease.
The feeling of depression, anxiety, and longing to curl up in a ball melted away and she gradually started to come back to herself. It was time to invest good energy in her marriage and of course, in herself.
Revolution Time
With the help of medication, therapists, and her loving husband, Grace realized many things about her condition. Mental health issues don't just go away. If neglected, they will eventually crawl back up and cause damage.
Grace regretted not treating herself sooner, however, she was thankful that she eventually came around to it. This condition which occurs after giving birth can happen to anyone, so what should you do if you feel one of the closest to you might be suffering from this situation?
You Can't Do It Alone
Communication is the first and most important thing. The new mother has to be aware of what she is going through, and comprehend that professional help is needed.
There are support groups, psychotherapists, designated medication, and more. If there is a strong, warm, and loving family around, the healing process will become faster and easier.
Together at Last
John too has had his share of life lessons and he knows that in the future, whatever happens, and whoever enters their life, the most important thing to do is to communicate.
As for Grace, life has never been better. She might have gone through dark days, but when you reach such low places in life, you can only grow taller.
You've seen some important information about what can happen after giving birth, but what about actually raising kids? Keep reading for the best posts and tweets from first-time parents.
We all have irrational optimism when it comes to our own lives as a parent, it's like we think that maybe if we planned everything perfectly it will go well and there will be no surprises... Here's a peek into what your life will look like if you decide to take the plunge and start a family of your own, but you have been warned...
Traveling With Kids
If ever you want an up-to-the-minute reminder of what you're doing or where you're going, just have kids with you and they'll be sure to promptly remind you of every moment, no matter how mundane.
Just kidding, this tweet sounds more like an alarm clock that you can't snooze or switch off. It just keeps alerting you whether you want it or not. Oh, and every now and then, your children will yell and demand in a tightly contained space. Have a nice flight!
According to Science
Kids are known to have incredible reasoning abilities when it comes to getting what they want. They know exactly how to justify their motives, with indubitable facts that make you question your own sanity.
Who knew arguing with a 6-year-old would be this irrational and at the same time so insightful? In this case, science says hand over the Neapolitan.
Welcome to Parenting!
Just a friendly reminder that being a parent means you'll be faced with the harshest of critics, did you expect to have your cooking critiqued by amateurs after slaving away in the kitchen? Probably only if you're an aspiring chef.
It's not all bad though, because you know those same critics think nothing of eating insects or already chewed gum they found on the pavement. So the next time they refuse to eat their veggies and pressure you for some chicken nuggets, you know not to take it personally.
Terrified But Hopeful
Having kids means you constantly worry about them. It's relentless, even when they're old enough to drive you still worry (if not more) for their safety, and everyone else on the road!
Of course, with every milestone, there come a few perks. Once they're independent, they can drive themselves around and grab you your favorite order from McDonald's.
Brutal Advice
One quality you'll always hear about kids is their unflinching commitment to honesty. They don't care about your feelings and know how to tell you the truth. It only seems fitting that they take an already difficult announcement and make it even more brutal.
Clearly this six-year-old has won this round when it comes to delivering bad news, her mom is so proud, she even hopes she becomes a doctor just so she can use her creative mind to scare her patients.
So How Was Your Day?
We know why you're here — because you'd like nothing more than to have a decent conversation with your child, or at the very least, a few niceties exchanged when you're not occupied with life and other errands.
Unfortunately, in this pie-chart we call "How to spend quality time with your children," there's only a small sliver saved for convenient times that make for pleasant conversations, and it's been crowded out by the rest of your time.
The Benefits of Having Kids
What would you do if you were unburdened by the wonder and agony of your bloodline? Probably deal with life's little problems by yourself, but if you had kids, at least you could ask them for small favors to get you out of difficult phone calls.
Oh, the joys of parenthood! Clearly, this text proves that there are benefits to having kids. Now all your hard work and thankless efforts have paid off.
Nice ID
This woman's 5-Year-Old son stole her wallet one afternoon and ran off to play with it in his room. A few days later, she got pulled over and all she had to show for ID was this!
That's a tricky one to explain to the officer on duty, "um... Sir, sorry but it seems my kid stole my ID." That would work as a valid excuse, they should just believe you and let you go without a ticket...
Let It Go
Having kids means letting of any expectations you may have before having kids. That includes a weekly outing to your favorite restaurant, an exquisite vacation, and that perfectly planned photoshoot.
Now, with your beloved angel in tow, everything is different. It might be tempting to want everything to go as planned but you'd be better off ripping off that band-aid now than letting it slowly devour your hopes and dreams.
Busted!
This curious case of the cellphone found in the toilet proved difficult to solve at first. When questioned, all three kids in this household claimed innocence and none of them would crack under pressure.
The parents were stumped and not sure how they could find the guilty party. So they looked through the evidence and luckily found photos of the incident that incriminated the culprit. Just another day in the life of a parent.
Kids Will Be Kids
Every parent has an adjustment period, and this period can fall anywhere on the spectrum from overanalyzing every single scratch and scrape their firstborn has, to not caring at all about their child's well-being.
This incident falls somewhere in between, where running into a wall isn't a cause for concern, but simply a calm remark that's stored away in case their child shows any symptoms later that day.
Vandals
Sometimes all a creative kiddo wants is a blank canvas to draw on. Almost anything can be used from the walls to their sleeping parents' faces. As tempting as it may be to take a nap while your children play, it could result in a scandalous mess.
While your kids may appear adorable and innocent, they are still little sociopaths who will blame the dog for their own villainy.
A Comedy of Errors
One of the most maddening things that will happen to you when you have kids of your own is people telling you what you need to do before your life changes forever. Stuff like "go eat out as much as possible," and "sleep in."
But the most annoying thing is probably to "go to the theater for entertainment before you have kids," when having kids presents you with so many zany and amusing situations you will have enough entertainment to last you a lifetime.
And What About Tigger?
A short answer to this question would be the Hundred Acre Woods, but instead, Zack got confused by his son's question and gave him a lengthy explanation of the human digestive system.
That's totally on Zack for assuming what his son was asking about, but having kids does mean your mind will immediately jump to conclusions, making you draw conclusions that only question your own intelligence.
Good Question
In our humble opinion, getting your daily eight hours of sleep is one of life's small luxuries, and having kids doesn't necessarily mean you have to exchange said luxury for sleepless nights. But you will need to accept that the paradigm has shifted and while you can still sleep, it's just going to be different.
Having kids means your sleep schedule will not fit neatly into an eight-hour window anymore, instead you can expect it to be spread over many hours with frequent interruptions.
Yikes!
If we've learned anything from kids, it's that peace and tranquility can easily be derailed. In this instance, this family spent their weekend away at an Airbnb to get some of that needed rest, but they didn't realize the bathroom doors had transparent glass, making their stalking toddler even more unnerving than usual.
Even a private trip to the bathroom proved to be frightful. This would be hilarious if it didn't look so scary!
All Hands on Deck!
Here's another look into the precarious life of a parent, with varying results, the dreaded diaper schedule from daycare. It looks like Maddie got the easy ones, while Brooke drew the short straw.
Brooke was not expecting this kind of explosion and seemed to faint right after filling in her report.
Urine Trouble!
Ah, who doesn't love waking up to the fresh and pungent smell of urine in the morning? The best part about this is having to sterilize and disinfect what was once your oasis to get rid of the vaporized smell of pee.
Honestly, there could be nothing worse than the smell of pee diffused through your home.
Dear Dad...
Such a thoughtful and at the same time bleak message to write on a birthday card, she even included a drawing of the grim reaper to add an extra punch.
At least he has a heart on his chest, which is a nice touch considering the rest of the card's content!
Oops!
After working from home for the past 9 months, this dad was finally asked to come back into the office so he shaved his beard, cut his hair, and put on his suit and tie, but his daughter did not approve and instantly burst into tears.
He only looks slightly worried, but that's because he knows he'll be out the door in a minute and won't have to deal with the mess he's made. He'll definitely miss his little girl at work.
Zooming in the Shower
Can you imagine how mortifying this must be?! Brian was taking what he thought was an undisturbed shower, only to have his six-year-old barge in with the laptop while the camera was on!
Never mind throwing a tantrum in the local supermarket, this is on a whole other level when it comes to embarrassing your parents. We bet this is going to lead to a seriously awkward parent-teacher meeting.
These Don't Go in Your Hair
Getting something stuck in your hair has happened to the best of us, from chewing gum to a tangled hairbrush. Both of those are problematic to remove but totally doable. But getting a whole box of 'Bunchems' stuck in your hair seems impossible!
Apparently, her brother decided it would be fun to see how they would look in her hair. The result is a complete mess and it took their mother 20 hours to get them all out! If that was our kid, we'd probably have it all shaved off by now.
'Best Farter Ever.'
This dad couldn't explain all the side-eyes and smirking glances he received from the other parents in his kid's class, but after a tour of his son's class, it all made sense. He found this photo on the wall of his classroom for photos of the year.
It sure is a sweet photo with a dad and his son while holding a mug that says "Best Farter Ever." It would be a shame if it was made public for others to see though, which is exactly what happened in this case.
Working From Home
If you're not used to working from home, you might have a bit of trouble adjusting to your new office, which is totally understandable. But throw your kids in the mix and distractions are bound to happen.
In this situation, it's important to lay down some house rules or put up a sign for when dad is in a meeting. Don't forget to list answers to possible questions!
When the Bread Runs Out
One of the best things about having kids is being privy to their imaginative worlds that show no bounds, but on the other end of the spectrum, their imagination has its limits.
Playing along with their pretend game can be tricky, you have to pretend their imagined world is real but then need to know where the confines of their imagination begin and end.
Slugs and All
Mayhem ensued as slugs escaped from this makeshift hospital and Chris Wilson was left unprepared and at a loss for words. If we were him, we would've told his kids that the slugs were healed and could go back home to their families.
But when you're in this kind of predicament it can be difficult to think on your feet and you may feel overwhelmed by the unpredictable whims of your kids.
Entertaining All Offers
Having kids means you'll occasionally have conversations like this. Ones that will make you want to return them so you can have some semblance of an adult life back. But one of the worst things about having kids is, there are no return policies!
So once you've had them, you're stuck with them for life and there's no rebates or concession. This is your life now and you'll just have to let them cry because they can't get in the oven with the lonely cornbread.
Parent Problems
Here's another example of how being a parent can leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. Now, when you assume something, you might miss the mark completely and you'll end up with a bunch of chips scattered all over the floor.
This just proves that having kids can wear you down in even the most unexpected ways imaginable.
It's a Little Too Quiet in Here
Leaving your kids to their own devices is a slippery slope on the waterslide of parental responsibilities. On the one hand, kids need to explore and learn how to keep themselves busy, on the other, they could end up burning your house down.
Luckily, in this case, only minor violations occurred that left these plants with only slight injuries on their leaves. It could have been much worse and at least they still have their house intact.
Banksy Would Be Proud
Everything is a canvas to kids and they will act accordingly, which is why it's important to only give them paint that can easily be removed or washed away.
That goes for any permanent marker or pen that could be within their reach. You know what? Just keep it all locked away in a hard-to-reach drawer that's only accessible with a 10-digit code.
I Made It Myself
It's always refreshing when you get photos showing how well your son is applying himself while at school. Other times, you get get a photo like this, which leaves you scratching your head and wondering if he's really your son.
Of course, you would've hoped for better but here’s the thing: in order to achieve those brief moments of parental paradise, you just need to let it go and laugh it off.
Pumpkid
Imagine waking up to this — either you'd be terrified or proud or a mixture of both. While we may think this is hilarious, few things are more maddening than being woken up by a painted pumpkin head, especially around six in the morning.
So maybe next time you wake up peacefully and soundly in your bed, after a good night's rest, make a mental note to remember how good you have it before you decide to have kids.
Crumbs Everywhere
When you start a family of your own, you're basically writing up a contract of sorts, one that involves changing diapers throughout the night and cleaning up after someone else's mess for the next (hopefully) 18 years of their life.
This mess can include anything from lego pieces to laundry but the worst offenders of them all are crumbs from crackers or any crumbly foods. You have been warned.
No More Privacy
Another exasperating fact of parental life means never having any privacy, and when we say never, we mean it. If, after all of these clear and obvious warnings, you still decide you want to have kids, then it's totally on you.
What's worse is once your kids are all grown-up and have left the house, you'll miss them so much you'll have the empty-nest syndrome, which is a whole other issue you should be made aware of...
Saturday Mornings Are for...
If you don't have kids, then you can expect your Saturday mornings reserved for sleeping in and eating brunch at your favorite cafe, while you wonder how the rest of the weekend will unfold.
But once you have kids, you don't have time to wonder, all you can do is juggle your toddlers as they squabble about stealing air as you try your best not to lose your temper.
Passive Aggressive Notes
Someone once said, "it's the little things that make parenting so rewarding," but they forgot to mention that little things also come in passive-aggressive notes written in soap.
Obviously, this was meant to be found, but all we want to know is, what did dad do that was so horrible?
We Can Relate
Sometimes imaginary bullies are way worse than the real ones, not only are they always around, but they know just how to make your kiddo cry. If parenting wasn't hard enough already, now you're also responsible for more complex issues, like their self-esteem.
This might just be one of those cases that we would recommend you read one or two of those parenting guides... Is there a section titled "How To Handle Mean Imaginary Friends?"
Home-Schooling
Home-schooling your kids might seem like a more straightforward alternative for some parents, but as many can attest to, having to teach your kids is not as fun as you thought it would be.
In fact, it can be downright challenging, and being made responsible for their education means you might go insane.
Let It Snow
Apparently, asking your kids to close the car door behind them is too much. What's worse is that this happened in the middle of snowy winter and now the interior of your car looks like a winter wonderland.
It's times like these you really need to dig deep and find that last bit of dignity you have left, so you don't end up in jail.
Can She Babysit?
Having kids is like being aware of a whole other world you never knew existed, one in which your child speaks to your deceased relatives through the walls.
If that doesn't creep you out, we don't know what will! Either it's time to move or take your child seriously as a medium to the spirit world.
Feeding the Monster
You're not going to believe this, but this collection of chaos is what was found in the air conditioning vent. Apparently, kids find it amusing to wedge in whatever they can find in there and see what happens.
So if you ever wonder where your measuring spoons went, or those decorative eggs, you might want to check your air vents...
Like a Scene from a Horror Film
There is a certain level of the human need to retreat every once in a while and search for privacy or at least a little peace and quiet. Here's another photo showing just how hard that can be once you're a parent.
We're not completely without empathy, but we are filled with fear at the sight of those teeth and claws.
A Two-Way Street
Well, look how the tables have turned, it seems that even kids find parenting hard. In this case, a six-year-old found it challenging to teach her mother how to use the TV remote, and there's even a picture to illustrate it.
Sometimes parenting is a two-way street and as a parent, you're just going to let your kids teach you all you need to know about technology.
An Innocent Game of Tag
Playing tag can be a good workout, with moving and blood pumping, it can set the stage for healthier kids with stronger muscles. But this game can also turn into a wrestling match that might cause your neighbors to call the police.
It's best to tread lightly with this one and set some ground rules before a fight erupts into full-blown anarchy.
Every Move You Make
You should know by now that whenever you go to the bathroom, you're not going alone, even if you close the door behind you. Your kiddo will be waiting outside the door, checking in on you even if you've only been inside for two minutes.
It's like having a stalker you can't get rid of. Instead, you're obligated to take care of them...
What's Cooking?
Raising a child is a huge responsibility. You'll need to teach them all about safety and fire hazards and that in itself, can be exhausting. Here's a little bit of advice — perfect parenting doesn't exist, so just try your best...
In case of smoke, we all know there could be a fire somewhere, but kids don't think like we do, which is why it's even more important to educate so your house doesn't burn down.
Are You Ready?
One of the best things about growing up was the cartoons, but now that you're older, they don't seem as interesting, making this question even more relevant than we'd know.
If this doesn't make you think before having kids, then you are definitely ready. Tell Spongebob we said hi.
Relatable
Let's get this out of the way fast: nothing is as relatable to the popular science fiction film called "Star Wars" as parenting. Where war wages between an evil Empire known as the first order and a Rebel Alliance of heroes called the Resistance.
Only, in real life, you're probably not the hero, simply an ancient Jedi who slowly dies while answering a string of nonsensical questions.
Boo!
Nobody would've thought that becoming a parent would mean you'd be terrified of your toddler. But acceptance is the first step, so as long as you can agree to that then you're as prepared as can be.
For many, this act requires no reflection at all, they simply just know how scary children are, and yet they still chose to have them.
Before and After
You might not believe this, but having kids is not nearly as glamorous as you've been led to believe. Sure it can be a meaningful and life-changing experience, but at what cost?!
Let's face it, we all want to be the guy on the left, he looks like he doesn't have a care in the world while he's siping on some ice tea. But on the right, he's been reduced to a step-ladder for a toddler. A STEP-LADDER, people!
Rude Awakening
Children might be called belligerent and hostile at times, but they're also great for warning you about the ever-nearing end of your life. Let's face it, none of your adult friends or family members are going to deliver this news with such finesse.
They'll even draw a picture of a waterslide for you, with a metaphor attached. That way, you'll know exactly what they mean.
Big Change
From working it to overworked. The change in footwear tells the whole story. Yes, your priorities will change, as this before and after photo can attest to, but you'll also look completely different. Almost unrecognizable.
It might look like 30 years have past since the first picture was taken, but truthfully, it's only been eight years.
A Migraine
Ginger knows whats up with kids, in fact, she's even come up with a new expression to describe a group of them. We would also have accepted shriek and nightmare.
We think this really works – no matter what the situation or where the ‘migraine of kids’ are it just sounds right, doesn’t it?
Don't Do it
This is quite possibly the single most important decision you will make in your life and, while obviously not mandatory, there are so many hoops to jump through, so if you make up your mind like this kid, you best be prepared for an onslaught of questions.
When asked what he'd do instead, "Eat." He replies ever so casually. If only we had this kind of fortitude.
Tiny Helper
Pop quiz, hotshot: Which one of these situations is more relaxing? It might be a little tricky, but this guy's tiny helper is not as helpful as you'd think.
With his one foot strumming and his hands holding on for dear life, he's definitely not making his dad's music sound any better... "Anyway, here's 'Wonderwall'"
So Competitive
We race a lot of cool things all over the world: horses, cars, and eggs in spoons. But to find true innovation in racing ridiculous things, you’d have to search the local carnival, where carousel horses race around a merry go round.
Well, it's technically not a race, but this kid thinks it is and he's super excited to win!
Looks Bad
You know how you know it’s 8pm in a suburban home? Well, you could always check for clues in the hallway.
With diapers spread out, a chair thrown over, a lonely tennis racket. This site looks more like a crime scene than a hallway in some family's home, but who are we to judge?
Anything is Possible
When you come home and discover that granola bar disseminated across your kitchen counters, floor, and even the living room carpet, don’t look at it like a mess. Look at how much your kids are capable of with a single granola bar.
Imagine if you could channel your kids boundless energy into something positive, the possibilities are endless.
Emotional Regulation
One of the reasons why kids are so difficult to manage is because they just don't how to manage their own emotions, so if one can figure out what calms them down, then life would be much easier.
In this case, a piece of cheese does the trick, and while it might seem simple it could definitely make life a whole lot easier.
Batman's Here
Sure, we'd all like to sound like Mary Poppins but having kids means you'll quickly learn to shrug off the guilt cloak and start perusing more serious cartoon characters to voice your frustration.
If you never thought your personality could change so quickly, then having kids will show you just how creative you can become.
Outsourcing Chores
Perhaps the easiest job belongs to the kid whose job it was to sit on the training potty. Sure, she MIGHT have to eventually use the potty, but why do that when you can just outsource it to your trusted sidekick?
Clearly this toddler doesn't understand this assignment, but you can't say she's not resourceful.
No, Me!
Yet another great argument brought to you by the toddlers of this household. Perhaps they've always dreamed of being a ghostbuster, to show up and save the day.
Or maybe they've decided that calling the ghostbusters was a much more heroic deed and weren't going to let that chance slip on by.
I'm a Grown-Up
Being an adult may involve cumbersome tasks like doing your taxes and cleaning up after your self when you've broken glass, but for this toddler it means freedom to touch sharp objects.
Who are we to get in the way of her preconceived notion of adulthood? Not her mother, that's who.
A Scary Place
It's cute you thought that movie about Zombies was scary. You know what might be a little scarier? The secret life of a young child.
Nothing hits the spot like a good ol' maniacal scene, and this colorful alphabet splashed up against a ravenous gang of scribbles. Good luck trying to decipher this!
Candy Pizza
What kind of pizza do you want? It's a simple, common question that most pizza-loving people don't give nearly enough thought, usually tossing off a halfhearted "pepperoni, I guess."
But this 3 year old knew exactly what she wanted and she wasn't afraid of judgement. You go girl!
While on Vacation
For such a seemingly simple concept, vacations take on a convoluted story when they're done with kids. Forget those chores and responsibilities waiting for you at home, because you'll have fresh ones to deal with while your on holiday.
For this family, vacation looks like cleaning up Frosted Flakes every morning with plenty of soul-sweetening natural beauty to miss while your occupied with your nearest and dearest.
Fireworks
No matter how close the TV brings you to the action on the field, there're some things the cameras and mics can't quite capture, like the deafening scorch of fireworks, that feeling you might die at any moment.
This can only come from the palpable excitement of having kids. Sometimes you just have to be there in person.
Suspect Evidence
This plastic shovel, which obviously comes from a kids play set, was found in the laundry machine after a wash. Nobody knows how it got there, but we're sure kids had something to do with it.
If you have kids you might know what it's like when you find a towel stuffed down a toilet or lego pieces in the air conditioner vent.
Da Vinci
Surfaces can be rather limited when you like painting, so what do you do when you run out of canvases? Do as Da Vinci did and use the wall of course!
Because artists can be notoriously picky about the tools they use in their craft, these parents should feel honored that their little painter used their wall.
Snacks
That moment when kids learn there are more than one snack flavor is the moment you realise you've made a huge mistake.
These days you only really ever encounter these varieties in a gas station, which is why it took two whole hours to choose!
Tattoo Markers
Maybe buying tattoo markers were not the best idea when it came to buying a Christmas present for their daughter.
Sure, they’re explicitly designed to stay on for as long as two weeks, but they never expected her to go this crazy all at once.
Oops
Even celebrities struggle with their kids, that's just how powerful they are, and they know it! This is a pic that Anna Faris shared on her Twitter page of her son, showing just how well potty training is going.
If you're also having issues with your kids, at least you know you're not alone and even the rich and famous struggle sometimes.
From Hero to Zero
From having it all figured out to hoping you don't get peed on! These before and after photo are another reminder that kids might just make your life a little less glamorous.
Hopefully, after reading through our list, you're a bit better prepared to jump in the saddle.
Cute Pic
This little boy thought it'd be funny to sniff his mommy's behind for the photo, yes it's funny. But it's probably mortifying for his mother!
If this photo is any indication, we'd take a bet that he’s gonna be a handful, this is just the beginning... His mom doesn't seem particularly pleased with this new arrangement.
Rules Are Lame
While we would never promote eating while watching TV, there's a good reason they let you buy snacks at the movie theater, it's just so comforting to nibble on something while you're watching a film on the big screen.
This is probably why his mom had to enforce strict rules about eating in the living room, but kids are more clever than we give them credit for...