Things You Never Expected to Spend So Much Time Doing as a Parent
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Becoming a parent is one of the most transformative experiences a person can go through. The joy, the love, the overwhelming sense of responsibility—it’s all part of the package. But there’s one thing that no parenting guide quite prepares you for: the sheer amount of time you’ll spend doing things you never even considered.
Sure, everyone talks about diaper changes, midnight feedings, and endless rounds of peek-a-boo, but what about the day-to-day tasks that seem to consume your every waking hour?
Let’s take a look at the six unexpected things that parents, no matter how prepared they think they are, end up spending way more time on than they ever anticipated.
Laundry
Laundry is one of those tasks that you might think you’ve got a handle on before having kids. You’ve done your own laundry for years, so how hard could it be when you have a little one, right? Well, here’s the thing—kids generate laundry like nothing you’ve ever seen.
From the endless supply of tiny clothes to the messes that seem to occur with every meal, snack, and outdoor adventure, laundry becomes a constant in your life. You might find yourself sorting through mismatched socks, wiping crayon stains off of shirts, or washing that pair of pants for the third time in one week.
No matter how often you do laundry, it feels like there’s always another pile waiting to be folded. And let’s not even get started on the laundry that magically appears in your child’s room every time you think you’ve reached the bottom of the hamper.
Daydreaming of Bedtime
If you’ve ever been a parent, you’ve probably had moments where you find yourself fantasizing about the sweet relief of bedtime. It’s not that you don’t love your child—you do. But there’s something magical about the few hours of peace after the chaos of the day.
The second that child is tucked into bed, you’re free to enjoy a cup of coffee (without the threat of it being spilled), watch your favorite show uninterrupted, or simply enjoy a moment of silence. Daydreaming about bedtime isn’t something you plan to do, but it becomes a survival mechanism.
It’s a coping strategy, a moment of respite that every parent needs to recharge and face the next day’s challenges. After all, it’s the little moments like these that make parenthood manageable.
The ‘Why’ Phase
If there’s one thing that all parents can agree on, it’s that children are curious little beings. And while curiosity is a great trait to foster, it also means that you’ll be asked a lot of questions. And I mean a lot. As your child enters the “Why?” phase, you’ll find yourself answering the same questions over and over again.
“Why is the sky blue?”
“Why do we have to sleep?”
“Why is the dog barking?”
“Why do we have to sleep?”
“Why is the dog barking?”
The list goes on. What starts as a few questions here and there soon becomes an unrelenting barrage that can leave even the most patient parent feeling exasperated. You may think you’re done answering questions for the day, but sure enough, your child has a new one ready to go.
This phase can feel like a never-ending loop of explanations, but rest assured, it’s a sign of your child’s growth and curiosity. And eventually, it’ll fade—only to be replaced with new challenges.
The Guilt of Screen Time
We’ve all been there. Your child is playing with their toys in the living room, and for a brief moment, you finally get the chance to check your phone. Maybe you’re scrolling through social media, catching up on emails, or just trying to read a few articles.
Then it happens—the dreaded moment when your child looks at you and says, “Mom/Dad, why are you looking at your screen?” And just like that, the guilt sets in.
You know that parenting experts say to limit screen time, but sometimes, you just need a moment of quiet. It’s a universal struggle for parents—how do you balance staying connected with the outside world while also being fully present for your child?
The guilt over screen time is real, and it can be overwhelming, especially when you realize how much time you spend in front of a screen yourself. But remember, you’re not alone in this. Every parent faces this challenge, and finding a healthy balance is key.
Toy Organization
The never-ending battle of toy organization is something that parents quickly learn to accept. No matter how many bins, shelves, or storage systems you buy, it always seems like the toys are everywhere. After a long day of work, the last thing you want to do is spend hours picking up scattered dolls, action figures, blocks, and stuffed animals.
You try to get your kids involved, but organizing the playroom often turns into another task on your to-do list that takes just as much time to supervise. You may even try to get creative—labeling bins, setting up fun systems for your child to follow—but somehow, the chaos continues.
While it’s a battle that will never truly end, the act of tidying up can actually become a bonding experience for you and your child, teaching them responsibility and creating shared memories.
The Road Trip Chaos
Long car rides with kids are an exercise in patience. Whether it’s a trip to Grandma’s house or a family vacation, the backseat often becomes a battlefield. There’s the constant “Are we there yet?” from the back, the fight over who gets to control the music, and the inevitable squabbles about who’s sitting too close to whom.
If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic with a car full of restless kids, you know that the journey is often far more stressful than the destination.
It’s not just the noise; it’s the constant monitoring of snacks, drinks, and entertainment. It’s making sure your child doesn’t spill juice all over the seat or throw a tantrum because they dropped their favorite toy under the seat.
Road trips might seem like a fun family adventure on the surface, but behind the scenes, they’re often a logistical nightmare for parents.
Conclusion
Parenting is full of surprises—some wonderful, and some not so much. While you may not have expected to spend so much time on laundry, answering questions, or packing snacks, these tasks are part of the journey. They are the everyday moments that make up the tapestry of your child’s upbringing.
Yes, it’s exhausting, and yes, it can feel like you’re caught in an endless cycle of repetitive tasks, but it’s all worth it.
