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It's no secret that being a parent is difficult, but that's often just a nice way of describing what the arguably hardest pill to swallow in raising children is — they make everything more challenging.

Forget moving or changing jobs, even if we're talking about basic chores like vacuuming the house and going to the store — our obligations simply demand more effort when we factor in an extra pair of arms and legs we need to constantly be aware of.

However, for whatever reason, many still refuse to accept this universal truth. So a few days ago, writer Lucy Huber tweeted her frustrations about it.

Image credits: clhubes

Huber's, let's call it, rant — I hope she doesn't mind the word — instantly resonated with parents, and it went viral, but the best part is that her tweets also inspired moms and dads to share all the ways their kids overcomplicate everyday life, normalizing the conversation about the reality of it. After all, we can cover our eyes and say whatever words we want, but the issue will remain.

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    #2

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    Kona Pake
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You’re expected there 15 minutes early so you start prepping to leave the house an hour 15 minutes early.

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    We managed to get in touch with Lucy Huber and she said the idea to post these thoughts popped into her head while she was attempting to wrangle her two-year-old out the door to his nanny share.

    "Every morning we go through the same process which takes roughly an hour," Huber told Bored Panda. "Convincing him to get dressed, actually getting dressed, getting down the stairs, getting into the car seat. All of these things take at least ten minutes with a two-year-old because they just have to move at their own pace. It's not always a bad thing, I'm glad my son enjoys playing and asking questions, and taking his time to look at things and be curious. But it can be frustrating when you're trying to go somewhere because you never know how long he will take and if you try to rush a two-year-old, it usually ends in screaming."

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    #4

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    Mad Dragon
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel this. If we went to a museum or a nice restaurant, our daughter would likely have a come-apart, and if we went to the kiddie bouncy castle place, she would have the best time while we were bored out of our mind.

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    While virtually every parent is going through these things, according to Perri Klass, M.D., and the co-author of Quirky Kids, some do have it worse than others.

    "If you have a child with a more challenging temperament, the truth is that you may have less fun parenting on a day-to-day basis for some of your child's life," Klass told Parents.

    Which is kinda reassuring. That means it's completely normal to feel frustrated that your kid seems more difficult to manage than all three of your friend's kids combined. Or to be upset that your parenting is being unfairly judged by strangers and family who think they've done a better job.

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    #7

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    James016
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My son loves the diversity in different brown foods like fish fingers and chips.

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    #8

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    Aubrey
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also the fact that they won't remember a thing! (Whatever you do, don't take a young child to Disney world...)

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    #9

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    Tiger Pearl
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, did you ask the fish to stop staring and mind their own business?

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    It's not just a question of perception. Science has already proven this. Research by Harvard University psychologist Jerome Kagan, Ph.D., suggests that an infant's temperament at birth is a good predictor of a child's behavior in adolescence.

    Kagan found that 40 percent of babies have a calm disposition (they're not overly ruffled by stimuli like light or noise), and years later, these kids actually remain chill.

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    However, as many as 15 to 20 percent of babies enter this world with a more "reactive" temperament, which can make their parents politely call them a "handful."

    In Kagan's study, these babies recoiled from light and noise and were hard to soothe. So if you have a difficult baby, does this mean you are destined for an even tougher future? Not necessarily.

    #10

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    May
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The rest of us thank you for keeping them out of restaurants until they're older

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    #12

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    Biofish23
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why is this not higher? So much this!!! It was easier to pack for a weekend away by myself, then it us to prepare for an afternoon out with 3 small kids.

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    #13

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    phil blanque
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We took our 5-year old on a hike, and she did want to go...complaining and complaining. Then she found a nickle on the trail...and then a dime...another nickle! There was no stopping her. We had a nice 30-minute hike, and it cost me less than $2.50.

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    "There's always that nature-versus-nurture controversy," Nancy Snidman, Ph.D., director of the child development unit in psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, who conducted the research with Dr. Kagan and continues to study the temperament of children, explained to the same outlet.

    "Parents, other kids, and teachers can help shape a child's personality and coping skills over time." This basically means that what someone might consider good parenting may not have as much of an impact on babies, whereas older kids with a tougher temperament can benefit the most from it.

    "I don't think child-free people are clueless [about parents' struggles]," Lucy Huber said. "My tweet was about people with babies, which are more portable and have fewer options than toddlers, but still. I think it's just that before you have kids you think you'll be different than other parents and then it turns out you're really not because there's a reason other parents do things the way they do."

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    "Having kids is so much harder than you think it will be and for different reasons. I definitely thought I'd travel when I had toddlers but then you realize it's honestly not worth it. I think before you have kids there's this impulse to believe that you won't change your lifestyle when you have kids, as if changing your lifestyle is a sign of failure, but when you actually have kids you see that it's not a failure to change how you live, it's a privilege to adjust your life to this new person who has different needs than you."

    Huber said that as a parent, you learn to adapt to those needs, and in many ways, the transition becomes joyful. "I probably won't be traveling to Paris any time soon but I have found so much joy in showing my toddler simple things in the world, like a fish pond or a dog park. I don't need my son to see Notre Dame because he's still fascinated with simply going to the local library and when I get to see it through his eyes, I am too."

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    #18

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    Mikey Kliss
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Took a 6 hour trip last weekend. Drove at night so the 18 month old could sleep. He did not sleep and got so worked up near the end of the trip that he threw up

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    #19

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    kcanded
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't understand why parents put up with this with toddlers. I would tell my two kids at this age, no, we're not doing that because we need to ____. In a quiet but firm voice. And keep following up. Draw that line and stick to it. My daughter only threw two tantrums (thankfully at home) and I just ignored her. Walked over her to continue with the laundry. No reaction from me, no more tantrums.

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    #21

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    Mad Dragon
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I made up The Sunscreen Song to sing while I put it on my daughter (Tune of You Are My Sunshine). “You are my sunscreen, my only sunscreen. You protect me from harmful rays. I’ll never know just how much I need you! Please apply sunscreen every day!”

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    While there are plenty of (opposing) parenting philosophies, research has found that kids who struggle more with negative emotions are most responsive to an empathetic yet structured and consistent parenting style.

    But even if things don't go according to plan, experts remain hopeful; kids are more resilient than we sometimes give them credit for. And they love us. "One of the great things about life with small children is you get to wake up every morning and have a fresh start," Dr. Klass noted.

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    #22

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    Jackie Lulu
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least they can dress themselves. You may not like what they're wearing, but at least you didn't have to do it.

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    #24

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    JMC5003
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mother-in-law was furious that I wouldn't take my 9 month old with stomach valve issues to her favorite Oriental restaurant while on vacation with her. Child would projectile vomit with absolutely no warning. Nope.

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    #25

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    Mika N
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just like I want to eat ice cream and cake all day and still be healthy. The logic of the world doesn't always get better as you grow up!

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    A recent UK study revealed 15 to be the most difficult age to parent. I guess, for those who are still in the midst of sleep deprivation and terrifying tantrums, the idea that the worst is yet to come can strike fear in their already exhausted hearts. But even if there's no one around you to unload on, remember that Twitter — with millions of parents on it — is always waiting.

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    #26

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    Firefly
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's what my mom said. With one they just strapped me on their back and went hiking, etc. With two it was harder as they each had to take a child on their back so no more taking turns. With 3 they were done.

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    #27

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    Marianne
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right! Just like the pediatrician who told me that if my baby is upset after the vaccination, I can nurse him in the treatment room, but I have to clear it in about 5 minutes. Lady, even without nursing I won't be out of here in 5 minutes.

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    #30

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    Raven DeathShade
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The wonderful thing about Tiggers, is Tiggers are wonderful things. Their tops are made out of rubber, their bottoms are made of springs! They're bouncy, pouncy, trouncy, flouncy, fun fun fun fun fun! But the most wonderful thing about Tiggers is I'm the only one. IIIIIII'm the only one!

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    #31

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    Stephanie Ladd
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you joking? my three year old still gets his butt in the stroller if we're walking more than a block lol

    #32

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    #33

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    #34

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    It's Me
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My younger brother has 3 under 10 - lives in a different time than my parents, whom he visited with the older two. He kept them on their home time zone for the week long trip. Now that’s impressive.

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    #36

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    #37

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    kcanded
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Put all that stuff in the diaper bag! Yes, it makes for a hideously swollen and heavy bag, but it's all in one place and simpler to transport!

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    #39

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    #41

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    Stephaniep
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bigger problem for me was he was too big to carry through the whole airport but too slow to walk on his own

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    #42

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    James016
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just came back from Gran Canaria to London. 4 hour flight but my son wanted to stand in the aisle the whole time, then walk up and down the whole time and then sit in the aisle for landing.

    #43

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    #45

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    Moos
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would you do this to yourself & to the kids? It sounds horrible.

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    #46

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    James016
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait till they find the switch that controls the ceiling fan. Recent first hand experience here.

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