A working mother’s blunt post asking why modern family life feels like a scam has hit a nerve online.
In a widely read Reddit thread, the user Yupalina described the daily routine of full-time work, school runs, housework and near-zero downtime with children as relentless and joyless.
The original poster (OP) lamented: “We work full-time jobs, which means waking up insanely early, rushing through one or two hours of morning chaos just to get everyone out the door, spending the entire day away from our families, then racing home to grab the kids, make dinner and power through the nightly routine—cleanup, baths, bedtime, repeat.”
The result, she added, is “basically zero time left for actual family connection.”
Shared Despair
She wasn’t alone. More than 800 replies followed within three days, many from parents who said their own daily lives matched hers almost exactly.
One contributor commiserated: “We had the flu and I realized it was so nice to all be at home with nowhere to rush. Literally having the flu was better than everyday life?”
Another Redditor agreed, “Specially the ‘kids are always sick’ part… I feel like to add to the little time we have with him most of it is tending to his aches, plus getting us sick.
“I’ve been dealing with so much anxiety lately because thankfully I have a job that allows me to take time off when needed (within reason), but I feel so guilty of having to ask for that so much… just this January I feel like we’ve been sick all month.”
The original post wasn’t a complaint about parenting itself. It was a critique of how modern households are structured: “Who decided this was the model for the American family,” the user asked.
Big Stress Points
Mental health professionals point to the morning routine as one of the biggest stress points.
In an article for Wellbeing Therapy Center, licensed therapist Maria Antoniou wrote, “How many of you find yourselves rushing all of the time? Rushing to get things ready in the morning. Rushing to grab lunch for the kids.
“Quickly directing your kids to get their shoes on, brush their teeth and on and on.”
The specialist added that when children are rushed or pressured too hard, it can leave them anxious and unsure of themselves. Her tips for making mornings smoother included waking up earlier, limiting distractions and working as a team to model cooperation.
Another article from Minnieland focused on building daily structure as a tool for making mornings less chaotic. That includes setting a consistent bedtime, preparing clothes and backpacks the night before and giving children a clear morning checklist.
“Routines provide a sense of consistency and stability,” the article noted, especially when families create them together.
The Bigger Problem
But for parents responding to the original lament, no number of checklists or pre-packed lunches seem to fix the bigger problem. As Yupalina put it, even with all the systems in place, the day-to-day often feels unsustainable.
“We live in these hyper-organized, tightly scheduled lives just to survive, and it’s exhausting.”
The OP said she’s not asking for perfection, just for a moment to breathe and actually be with her little ones: “Some days I just want to… hang out with my d*** kids.”
Newsweek has reached out to Yupalina for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
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