How Fucked Life Is When Having a Child
(And Why That’s Okay)
Becoming a parent is the most life-changing thing you’ll ever do. It’s also the most exhausting, messy and downright fucked experience you’ll ever survive.
To tell the truth about what life really feels like when a newborn arrives and to remind parents they’re not broken, they’re just human.
Here’s the thing no one tells you: parenting isn’t just an adjustment, it’s a demolition and rebuild. Sleep, identity, relationships, work, it all gets stripped down and rebuilt from scratch, under pressure, while you’re holding a screaming baby in one arm and a half-cold coffee in the other.
The Chaos No Parenting Book Prepared You For ⤵
- Sleep deprivation that feels like torture.
You’re awake at 2AM, 4AM and 6AM on repeat. Your body doesn’t know what day it is.
- Your old identity disappears.
The gym, date nights, career sprints. Yep they all get traded for nappies and milk feeds.
- The guilt spiral is real.
You’ll love your baby deeply and still wish for a break. Both feelings can co-exist.
- Relationships strain.
Suddenly, who changed the last nappy matters more than who said “I love you.”
You’ll feel angry.
You’ll feel lost.
And you’ll also feel a love so overwhelming it terrifies you.
Parenting is chaos - but it’s the kind of chaos that shapes you into someone stronger, softer and more resilient.
How to Survive (and Sometimes Even Enjoy) the Madness
- Lower the bar. Forget Pinterest-perfect. Keeping baby alive and yourself somewhat sane is enough.
- Trade shifts. If you have a partner, work in blocks so both of you get a stretch of sleep.
- Micro-self care. A shower, a walk, or ten minutes of silence can feel like a spa day right now.
- Outsource guilt-free. Order takeaway. Accept help. Leave the laundry. Your mental health is more important than folded onesies.
- Find your people. Talk to the parents who tell the truth, not just the highlight reel.
- Remember it’s temporary. The nights are brutal but the years are short.
Looking for the perfect way to celebrate life’s messy, magical moments?
Explore our range of milestone cards and keepsakes made for real parents living the chaos.