When one parent takes off for a weekend away, it can be quite the challenge for the one left behind—especially if that parent is the primary caregiver. Recently, Sarah Thompson was preparing for a getaway with her friends, and her comical list of “survival tips” for her husband has gone viral for all the right reasons.
“I’m writing this out of love, not panic,” she quips at the start. “Let’s go over a few things before you tackle this weekend solo…with the kids. Daytime, nighttime, breakfast, and lunch can easily transform into pure CHAOS, making even the fiercest monster look like a My Little Pony.”
Not daunting at all, right? Her cheeky photo exudes the classic vibe of “peace out, dear husband”—if you know what to look for.
What follows is a detailed rundown of the many little quirks and challenges that only a seasoned parent would understand. “Just a heads up, Mia will be upset because Lily is wearing her favorite princess dress, and Lily will be just as mad because Mia insists on calling her by the wrong name. And good luck getting Mia to take a nap—more on that later,” she elaborates about her daughters.
“Dinner will be a battlefield. Ava will demand pizza, while Emma will insist on hotdogs. Mia will burst into tears at the mere mention of hotdogs and will only want the mac n cheese—but not just any kind, it must be the ‘blue’ mac n cheese. Spoiler alert: we’re out of blue, so she’ll then ask for toast. You’ll already be halfway through cooking for Emma when Mia decides she wants toast too. The mac n cheese will end up in the trash because Ava once got sick after eating orange mac n cheese, and Emma prefers the white kind. You’ll also forget about Emma because her friend Daisy showed up unexpectedly, and they’re off outside doing who-knows-what. Dinner will likely end with everyone having cereal, and oh, Daisy will need a bandaid.”
While this might seem like a daunting note for her husband, it’s oddly comforting for any parent who knows the daily whirlwind of raising kids. Parenting isn’t for the faint-hearted.
As the note progresses, it dives into the dreaded bedtime routine. Sarah offers her husband a little encouragement, saying, “Best of luck, buddy.”
“Pajamas? FORGET pajamas. Just grab a nightgown for Mia. If you can’t find one, keep looking. She’ll ask for her favorite fairy nightgown, but the moment you put it on, she’ll scream like it’s the end of the world because the sleeves are too tight. Just find the Elsa one. It’s probably dirty, but honestly, so is she. Who’s keeping track of that?”
At this point, parents everywhere are probably wondering why they don’t own a coffee mug that says “forget pajamas.” This should definitely be a new motto. Sarah’s husband might just be looking for a quiet corner to hide in until the weekend is over.
But wait, there’s more! The note goes on to detail everything it takes to keep the kids in bed, the morning madness that is breakfast, and the harsh reality that, after it’s all said and done, he’ll need to “lather, rinse, and repeat.”
“Oh, and just a heads up, if you thought you’d get anything done this weekend—good luck. Mia cries every five minutes, and Lily acts like her world is ending every four seconds. You’ll be running to the potty more times than you can count. Sometimes she can manage on her own, but other times, she’ll whine about her underwear feeling funny. Have backup underwear ready. And since you made me toss most of the sippy cups, good luck keeping track of the two we have left—she’ll lose them.”
If these tips are anything to go by, Sarah has certainly earned her weekend away. She wraps up her note with a simple, “Kisses, The Wife.”
This article reminds us that parenting is a wild ride, filled with love, laughter, and a whole lot of chaos. For even more insight on parenthood and home insemination, check out this helpful resource.
Summary
Sarah Thompson shares a humorous note filled with survival tips for her husband as she heads off for a girls’ weekend, highlighting the chaotic yet lovable nature of parenting. From dinner dilemmas to bedtime battles, her candid observations resonate with parents everywhere, offering a light-hearted glimpse into the challenges of taking care of kids.