Parenting can be as hard as it is fulfilling.
Having kids means youāre diving into a world full of love. But youāll also rarely know exactly whatās ahead.
In honor of embracing the madness, hereās a collection of the sometimes sweet, sometimes silly, but always very real moments that make up the day-to-day life of parents:
<h2>1. Love in the aftermath of birth.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:33.2407407407% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCL1lyMDQy8/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">This is one amazing, strong mama. When she hit 42 wks 2 days with no sign of labor, she agreed to be admitted to the hospital, where she labored for nearly 24 hours, on pitocin, with no medication. She brought her baby down beautifully and pushed with all her might for 3 hours. She did everything right! When her birth plan took an unexpected turn, she was strong and carried on. It was a beautiful journey to document! #birth #labor #birthphotography #austinbirthphotographer #birthstory #birthphotos #leilanirogersphotographer #preservehappy</a></p> <p><div id="upworthyFreeStarVideoAdContainer"><div id="freestar-video-parent"><div id="freestar-video-child"></div></div></div></p><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Leilani Rogers, Photographer (@photosbylei) on <time datetime="2016-02-24T21:58:58+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 24, 2016 at 1:58pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>2. It can get messy.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BH11IaYgCS7/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">I am only eating if I feed myself!! #babyonstrike #ellenshow #chinesebabyboy #ellenpage #ellendegeneres #beauman #oatmealinmyhair</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by CIRQUE de cheveux (@lauriecarr) on <time datetime="2016-07-14T12:00:01+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jul 14, 2016 at 5:00am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>3. And downright dirty.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BGxJKI2TP_O/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Dad life. #babypoop #dadlife #adventuresinparenting #fatherhood @moderndaydads @moderndaymoms @bdminor</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Eric (@poweredbyicecream) on <time datetime="2016-06-17T19:47:25+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jun 17, 2016 at 12:47pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>4. You have to give it all you've got.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.1018518519% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFXLT1tmWJq/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">this is what a superwoman looks like... (sure, it's also what a cow looks like...lol) you are amazing beyond words. #jaxizzoanderokix #theroytribe</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Mel Roy (@therealmelroy) on <time datetime="2016-05-13T21:14:34+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 13, 2016 at 2:14pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>5. That awkward moment when babies attack.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFVbuqJNs_S/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Carmen please leave that man alone!!!!!! #istambulairport #poorman #carmenyouaresomean #beautyintheair #carmensairak #princesssairak #carmensflyinghome #carmensgoinghome #teamcarmen #bringcarmenhome #lgbtfamily #lgbtrights #alvarowearealmostthere #16monthstrapped #itbabygirl</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Twogaypapas (@twogaypapas) on <time datetime="2016-05-13T04:59:34+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 12, 2016 at 9:59pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>6. Multitasking is a way of life.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/sxc-4zEeMR/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Gender roles? What's that? | "You can still love your man and be manly dawg." #sollybaby</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Brandi Chantalle (@brandichantalle) on <time datetime="2014-09-10T17:04:24+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Sep 10, 2014 at 10:04am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>7. All day...</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BGAkFR8hPom/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">The joys of motherhood! #reallifeparenting</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Justin Harris (@jharris1984) on <time datetime="2016-05-29T22:59:54+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 29, 2016 at 3:59pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>8. ...every day.</h2><div><div data-card="facebook" data-reactroot=""><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/bfmamatalk/photos/a.471668436214912.96317.411182815596808/1068964573151959/?type=3" data-width="552"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/bfmamatalk/posts/1068964573151959:0" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><p>Talk about feeding anytime & anywhere. "That moment when you're getting married and your baby gets hungry ;) feeling SO proud of myself! Fighting that good fight! ā¤ļø"</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bfmamatalk/">Breastfeeding Mama Talk</a> onĀ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bfmamatalk/posts/1068964573151959:0">Tuesday, June 21, 2016</a></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>9. Little victories are big deals.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHyF-bbjqoE/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">What happens when you take 5 minutes to change ? At least she put the cap back on the marker, she practices that in therapy š§š¼šš #autism #specialneedsmom #parentingwin #22q13 #phelanmcdermidsyndrome #rare #gottogocleancarpetsnow #iwasdistracted by #pokemongo</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Cassi Lane (@cassinoel) on <time datetime="2016-07-13T01:10:15+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jul 12, 2016 at 6:10pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>10. Disasters are inevitable.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFt7C0SyK2Z/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">My life... #toddlerlife #birthdaygoodiebag #whyme #paintisnotmyfriend #imgoingtokillkate #reallifeparenting</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Colleen V (@westmagee) on <time datetime="2016-05-22T17:14:58+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 22, 2016 at 10:14am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>11. Naps can happen anytime, anywhere.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:37.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BH8OzMEg2KI/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Legit napping. We paddled to a beach and a sand bar. alll the snacking and swim stops must of done it. What a life. #parentingwin #sup #lifewithatoddler #valenciasala #oletariverstatepark #gopro #iwasbornwild</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by glhernan (@glhernan) on <time datetime="2016-07-16T23:39:46+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jul 16, 2016 at 4:39pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>12. Discipline can require creativity.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIDzYoGA5oc/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">This is what happens when you can't get along! #onetshirttwokids #brothersisterlove #getalong #fightingsiblings #loveeachother #bamakids #brats #latepost #momonekidszero #parentingwin #parentingatitsbest</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Roxanne Jones (@roxyinlove) on <time datetime="2016-07-19T22:14:08+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jul 19, 2016 at 3:14pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>13. Their fashion choices are questionable.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BAHxXqPJmTg/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Watching a toddler try to dress herself without jumping in to help is prolly one of the hardest things I've ever had to do...</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Naturally Blessed (@naturallyblessedmama) on <time datetime="2016-01-04T15:02:20+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 4, 2016 at 7:02am PST</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>14. It may feel like they're growing up too fast.</h2><div><div data-card="instagram" data-reactroot=""><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BH0rdZ5BI3m/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">She did this!! Asked me to put them on then tried to zip it up š....lord help me! #shoeaddict #stevemadden #highheels #</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Valentina Nichelson (@valtheplantbaby) on <time datetime="2016-07-14T01:16:16+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jul 13, 2016 at 6:16pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>15. But those tender moments prove there's no bond like this one.</h2><div><div data-card="facebook" data-reactroot=""><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/thebarefootmum/photos/a.407666546006164.1073741828.407659642673521/898795090226638/?type=3" data-width="552"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/thebarefootmum/posts/898795090226638:0" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><p>I was debating whether or not to post this, but this is real, raw, and one of the absolute worst parts of Motherhood...</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thebarefootmum/">The Barefoot Mum</a> onĀ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thebarefootmum/posts/898795090226638:0">Monday, April 18, 2016</a></blockquote></div></div></div><h2>Jerry Seinfeld once said, āA 2-year-old is kind of like having a blender, but you don't have a top for it.ā</h2><p>These photos prove that he was 100% right. Thereās no way to truly prepare for what it takes to be a parent, but the parent-child bond is unlike any other. Hereās to you, parents!</p>
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