Anyone who has ventured into parenthood knows that it can be utterly exhausting. From the sleepless early months with a newborn waking up every few hours to the endless energy of toddlers at the park, to the nightly struggles of bath time—it’s all a whirlwind of fatigue. However, it’s not just the major events that sap your energy; it’s the little things, the seemingly mundane tasks that leave you feeling like you’ve run a marathon. Here are seven surprisingly exhausting aspects of raising kids that can make you head straight for that coffee pot—often.
1. Smiling
You find yourself smiling at your children when you’re happy, when you’re not, and even when they’re throwing a fit in the cereal aisle. It feels like a never-ending performance where you have to plaster on a grin 24/7. Science may suggest that frowning is more taxing than smiling, but it sure doesn’t feel that way when your facial muscles are in a constant state of workout!
2. Talking
The joy of speaking in a normal tone is long gone. Instead, you’re constantly using an overly enthusiastic voice, celebrating every slide descent and Lego assembly. Explaining the complexities of life and the plots of movies they’ve seen a hundred times is part of the gig. Honestly, public speakers probably don’t have to work this hard, and they get paid for it! Where’s my paycheck?
3. Listening
If you’re not the one chatting, you’re stuck listening to a continuous stream of your child’s thoughts—unfiltered and unrelenting. They have no concept of how much you might want to disconnect your ears by the end of the day. With their nonstop chatter, you’ll find yourself yearning for silence, even from the soothing sounds of your favorite tunes or the comforting gurgle of a drink being poured.
4. Affection
Kids have a peculiar knack for draining your energy with their constant need for closeness. They’re always pulling, hugging, and touching you, making it hard to catch a breath. After a day filled with their endless affection, the idea of any additional intimacy with your partner can feel overwhelming. Honestly, a sensory deprivation chamber should be the ultimate push gift for new parents to recover from all that touch!
5. Errands
I’m not just talking about trips to the grocery store or the post office. Even a simple walk to the mailbox transforms into an expedition. Kids must explore every inch of the route, stopping to pick up pine cones, discover dirt piles, and find the “perfect” stick. What should take a minute can easily stretch to an hour or more, and then the return journey awaits!
6. Chores
Cleaning has morphed into an all-day event. Before kids, I could tackle the bathroom in an hour, but now it’s a multi-day operation. The process of involving kids in chores or rescuing them from the bathroom sink drains every ounce of energy. Sometimes, I consider it a victory if I merely manage to make the toilet smell fresh.
7. Self-Care
The jokes about moms not being able to shower more than twice a week are all too real. Beyond just showering, there’s a whole list of self-care tasks—shaving, hair maintenance, nail clipping, and dental hygiene—that quickly become a juggling act. Trying to multitask while getting ready can be exhausting. By the end, you’re often too fatigued to even admire the results in the mirror.
Simply existing as a semi-clean, functioning human shouldn’t be this draining, yet parenting turns even the simplest tasks into a workout. So, after a long day, treat yourself to some well-deserved chocolate—preferably in a quiet space, like your personal sensory deprivation chamber. And hey, if you’re considering starting your own family journey, check out Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit for more information. Also, don’t forget to explore fertility supplements from trusted sources for support along the way. For further resources, you can visit the World Health Organization’s page on pregnancy.