As a parent, I strive to create a balanced environment for my children. When serving drinks, I intentionally leave a little space in their cups to ensure everyone gets an equal share. I share funny stories from their early years simultaneously so no one feels left out. I also make sure their photos are evenly displayed around the house and that they all engage in the same number of after-school activities.
Despite my best intentions, my kids frequently remind me that fairness is a distant dream. On a daily basis, I hear them claim that I love one of them more than the others or that life just isn’t fair. After taking note of their grievances for a while, I’ve come to realize they might have a point—here are 50 reasons why their lives are just so unfair:
- They have to shower every night if they smell, even if they showered last night.
- My coffee is off-limits.
- They must carry their own school bags to the car.
- If one finds a rogue chocolate chip, the others have to wait until the next day for their snack.
- Crusts on bread—why?
- No blasting Minecraft videos when I’m busy in the kitchen.
- Morning wake-up calls.
- And enforced bedtime routines.
- I get upset when they jump in puddles with new shoes.
- If it’s below 35 degrees, on goes the jacket.
- Eating upstairs? Not happening.
- Lily gets an extra 15 minutes of TV compared to her brothers.
- As the oldest, she’s racked up years more screen time.
- They can’t play outside past 7:15 on school nights.
- Teeth brushing is non-negotiable.
- They had to join me at the drive-thru bank last week.
- Homework is a must.
- Recess gets canceled when it rains.
- Pizza has way too much crust for the amount of cheese.
- Lily is the only girl—poor thing.
- They’re not fond of shoelaces.
- No riding bikes or scooters in the house.
- Evan’s glasses are a constant reminder of his uniqueness.
- But hey, he gets to wear cool glasses!
- We have to drive to Florida for spring break instead of flying.
- Monday mornings are universally disliked.
- PG-13 movies are off the table.
- Muddy shoes must stay outside.
- Soda? No way!
- The boys get both a brother and a sister—lucky them!
- I made Evan the last waffle yesterday.
- Helmets are mandatory for bike rides.
- Sleepovers don’t happen on school nights.
- Lily is going to overnight camp this summer, leaving the boys behind.
- But she’ll miss out on all the fun at home!
- Spelling tests are a regular torture.
- Lily used all the hot water, leaving Ben with a five-minute shower.
- They can’t just stay home from school whenever they feel like it.
- Not a single kitten in the house for them.
- Or any pets, for that matter.
- Haircuts are a necessity, not a luxury.
- Dinner choices are limited; they can’t pick whatever they want every night.
- No stashing the remote controls in their rooms.
- Toenail trimming is a dreaded task.
- My computer is strictly off-limits.
- Thank you notes are a must.
- Lily gets to do everything first—unfair much?
- Ben gets to have both an older sibling and a younger one.
- Evan seems to get a little extra pampering.
- And vegetables—they’re just the worst.
In the grand scheme of things, it’s all in good fun, but sometimes it really feels like a comedy of errors! For more insights and relatable tales, check out our post on home insemination kits or learn about fertility treatments on this excellent resource for pregnancy.
Summary
Parenting is a constant balancing act, and despite my best efforts to ensure fairness, my kids often feel life is unjust. From showering to snack privileges, the little things seem to add up. In sharing their grievances, it becomes clear that life can be quite unfair for them, but that’s all part of the adventure of growing up.