Updated: April 13, 2023
Originally Published: April 10, 2023
A lighthearted video circulating on social media perfectly captures the contrast between leaving your first baby with the grandparents and handing over your third. Get ready to chuckle and nod in agreement!
The comedic genius behind this relatable content is Sarah Johnson, the creative mom known for her amusing takes on parenting. In her parody, she portrays the experience of leaving her first child with the grandparents overnight and then compares it to her third. While the scenarios are humorously exaggerated, they ring true for many parents.
First Child: The Overprotective Parent
In the first scene, Sarah is seen holding her baby tightly, offering an extensive list of instructions that range from mildly anxious to downright absurd. Here are some of her classic lines:
- “We’re avoiding all fruit juices and any type of fruit since, you know, POISON!”
- “No screen time allowed — that includes televisions, phones, or even windows with a strong reflection.”
- “Here’s a burner phone I got just for you. It’s pre-programmed with all the vital numbers: mine, the pediatrician’s, the osteopath, and the homeopath. I’ll be FaceTiming you every hour, so pick up or else I’m coming over!”
- “Oh, you have a car seat? What is that, a relic from the 1950s? No way, I’m taking that with me!”
Does this sound familiar? Now, let’s take a look at how her approach shifts with her third child. You’ll notice a distinct change in her demeanor as she sits in her car, ready to hand her child over to grandma.
Third Child: The Laid-Back Parent
- “Just a heads up, I’m keeping the engine running because I have a date with a bottle of Chardonnay and Netflix.”
- “By the way, all he’s eaten today are chocolate chips, so feed him whatever you think is best.”
- “For screen time, let’s keep it under 18 hours a day, alright? We have standards!”
- “I picked up a car seat for you from a garage sale. It survived a house fire, but it should be fine.”
- “Oh, and he has a cough — it’s pretty bad and probably contagious. I’m treating it with positive thinking.”
As parents welcome more children, it’s common for their standards to loosen up a bit. When you have your first child, every outing feels monumental. You load up your diaper bag as if preparing for an expedition, meticulously research everything, and feel a wave of panic at the thought of leaving your baby with anyone else. But with subsequent kids? Not so much.
There’s something liberating about the way parents often begin to relax after adding more little ones to the mix. New parents can be overly cautious, convinced they have all the answers when it comes to caring for their precious bundles. And honestly, I was once in that boat too.
I remember packing my daughter’s diaper bag for a quick grocery trip as if we were about to embark on a month-long trek. I recall my first date night post-baby, where I ended up in tears in a restaurant bathroom, frantically calling my mom while my baby cried in the background. I was convinced that no one could care for her like I could and that even the slightest deviation from my instructions would lead to chaos.
Fast forward to now, with my kids aged six and eight. They frequently spend the night at my parents’ house, and I honestly don’t keep track of what they eat, what they watch, or when they go to bed. And you know what? I’m totally fine with that!
Being a first-time parent can be mentally draining, but once you’ve settled into the role, it’s incredibly freeing to let grandma take over for a night, even if it means indulging in a diet of SpongeBob and sugar cubes.
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Summary
This article humorously contrasts the experiences of leaving a first child with grandparents versus a third child, highlighting the shift in parental anxiety and expectations. It showcases how parenting often becomes more relaxed with subsequent children, allowing for a more laid-back approach to childcare, even if it means a less-than-perfect diet or routine.