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A Dad’s Hilarious Account of Being ‘Mom for a Day’ Goes Viral
Every parent knows that taking care of small children is no walk in the park. With countless tasks, plans, and unexpected messes, surviving a day at home with little ones can feel like an uphill battle. Recently, one Australian dad discovered just how tough it can be to take on the role of a stay-at-home parent, and his amusing post about his 16-hour adventure with his kids is taking the internet by storm.
In a Facebook post, Mike Thompson shared that he was at work when his wife, Emma, texted him about being seriously unwell and needing him to return home immediately. For the next 16 hours, Thompson took on the responsibilities that his wife usually managed with ease while she went to the hospital for treatment.
“You know how sometimes your wife says, ‘I wish I could be the dad’? Well, buckle up because I’m about to take you on a journey that feels like a backwards roller coaster at 100 mph—complete with waterfalls of vomit, poop, and plenty of tears,” Thompson humorously wrote.
Arriving home at 5:01 p.m., he was greeted by what he described as “a disaster zone” with food supplies reduced to a few snack packs and tea bags. His two-year-old, Leo, was demanding a DVD by growling at him, while his six-week-old, Max, communicated his needs through a series of cries that were either hot or cold.
Thompson whipped up some instant noodles for dinner and then braced himself for the long stretch until bedtime. “As the evening dragged on and my patience thinned,” he recounted, “I resorted to letting Leo place stickers on my incredibly hairy legs to keep him quiet. I thought to myself, ‘It’s fine, I can shave them off tomorrow.’” If only he knew how little time he’d have for that!
Once he finally got the kids to bed, Thompson was ready for a restful night. But alas, he was jolted awake at “10:30…12:00…1:45…3:30…” and 5:00 a.m. by his son’s “screams from the depths of hell.” He added, “Did you know that sleep deprivation is considered a form of torture?”
The following day, he made the rookie mistake of thinking he could tackle some chores, only to find himself holding Max in a state of sleep-deprived hallucination while Leo raided the pantry for fruit sticks. A few hours later, when his mother-in-law dropped by, Thompson was forced to admit defeat.
“Here I was—unshaven, hair a mess, wearing yesterday’s pants and socks,” he wrote. “I opened the door to my mother-in-law with Leo running out in a sleeping bag asking for a new yogurt bar. The sight of the still-unwashed noodle bowl on the table and stickers plastered all over the lounge made me realize I was utterly overwhelmed.”
Thompson concluded, “I can barely keep up with my own hygiene, let alone maintain a home, educate children, prepare meals, and even venture outside!” Since his post went viral with over 16,000 shares, many parents have chimed in, relating to his exhausting experience.
What Thompson describes isn’t exclusively a “mom’s” job—parenting is a chaotic adventure that involves both partners. So, if the kids make it through the day alive and mostly content, consider it a win.
For more relatable parenting stories, check out our other posts, including how to boost fertility supplements at Make A Mom.
In summary, Thompson’s viral post highlights the realities of parenting, shedding light on the exhausting yet humorous challenges that come with being a parent. It’s a reminder that no matter who is taking the lead, raising kids is ultimately a shared responsibility that can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed.