Earlier this May, my partner and I welcomed our daughter, Lily, into the world. She’s a delightful little bundle, but let’s be honest—parenting is a relentless challenge. It can leave you feeling drained, irritable, and questioning your life choices. To make matters worse, well-meaning folks often ask the most absurd questions about our baby. Though I respond politely, there’s a part of me that wants to unleash my frustrations on them after another sleepless night.
- “You look so tired. Are you planning to get some sleep tonight?”
Oh, really? You think I look tired? That’s because I was up until the early hours of the morning, battling the urge to use duct tape on my baby’s pacifier. The night was filled with restless snoozing, diaper changes, and endless wipes. Sleep? What’s that? Maybe in a year, if I’m lucky. Spare me your well-rested advice! - “What’s that stain on your shirt?”
It’s probably baby vomit. Let’s face it; tomorrow, I’ll be wearing more of it. If it’s not white, it’s likely something else unpleasant. You’ll just have to deal with it. - “Does your baby cry a lot?”
Seriously? It’s a baby! Yes, she cries—constantly. Hungry, not hungry, bored, or just because she can’t lift her head off the floor. Half the time, I can’t even figure out why. Sometimes, I find myself crying too. - “Are you helping your partner enough?”
You know what’s funny? Since she gave birth, I’ve completely forgotten about her needs. Right? Because she just popped out a 7-pound miracle through major surgery (C-section)—so why should I care about her? In reality, I’ve been caring for her like a champion. Witnessing what she endured to bring our daughter into the world was harrowing. It made me realize just how strong she truly is. - “Do you think you’ll have more kids?”
Why would you ask me that? Look at my bloodshot eyes! I’m in survival mode. This question is like asking someone recovering from food poisoning when they plan on eating at their favorite restaurant again. Best to save that for later. - “I know it’s not the same, but I just got a puppy, and it’s been keeping me up at night!”
No, it’s not the same. You can simply put your puppy in another room and call it a night. Your dog can fend for itself in the yard! My baby can’t even hold her head up yet. Congratulations on your new dog, but it’s a different ballgame here. - “Who does the baby resemble more, you or your partner?”
Right now, my baby looks like a wrinkly little creature with dark eyes and tiny hands. In three months, she might resemble a toothless version of a famous filmmaker. Who knows? What I do know is that when she coos, it melts my heart, and despite the exhaustion, I can’t help but adore her.
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In summary, while parenting can be filled with joy, it also comes with its fair share of absurd questions and sleepless nights. The love I have for my daughter makes every struggle worth it, even when others don’t quite understand.