Parenthood is a journey filled with endless love and joy, but let’s be real—there are moments when it feels like you’re living through your own version of the biblical plagues! From sleepless nights to the chaos of mealtime, raising kids can sometimes seem like a test of endurance, patience, and faith.
How Parenting Is Like or Unlike Receiving a Series of Biblical Plagues
While the plagues of Egypt were devastating events that led to the liberation of the Israelites, some of their elements can feel all too familiar to parents in the trenches of family life. Here’s a lighthearted look at five biblical plagues that might remind you of your daily adventures in parenthood.
1. The Plague of Frogs: When Toys Take Over Your Life
One of the famous biblical plagues that struck Egypt involved an invasion of frogs, filling homes, streets, and even beds with amphibians. In parenthood, toys can feel like your personal “plague of frogs.” You step on them, trip over them, and somehow, they seem to multiply overnight. Whether it’s LEGO pieces, stuffed animals, or action figures, toys have a way of infiltrating every room of the house, and no matter how much you clean, they always return.
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Much like the frogs, toys can show up in the most unexpected places—under the couch, in your bed, or even in the bathroom. The constant clutter can drive any parent a little crazy, but remember that these toys are also signs of your child’s creativity and growth.
How to Cope: Establish a toy cleanup routine with your kids, making it fun by turning it into a game or setting a timer for speed cleaning. Also, consider toy rotation—store some away and swap them out to reduce clutter and keep playtime fresh.
2. The Plague of Lice: When Germs Run Wild
The third plague that hit Egypt was lice, an infestation that made people and animals itch relentlessly. Parenthood has its own version of this—germs! From runny noses to constant colds, it sometimes feels like your home is a breeding ground for every sickness imaginable. Whether your kids are in school, daycare, or playing with neighborhood friends, they seem to catch and spread every illness known to mankind. Just when one bug clears up, another one pops up, making you feel like you’re in a never-ending cycle of wiping noses, administering medicine, and doing endless loads of laundry.
How to Cope: Stay stocked up on hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and vitamin C. Encouraging proper hygiene habits, like hand washing and covering mouths when sneezing, can help reduce the spread of germs. And remember to give yourself grace—sickness is an inevitable part of parenting, but it won’t last forever.
3. The Plague of Darkness: When Sleep Deprivation Takes Over
One of the most well-known biblical plagues was the plague of darkness that lasted for three days. As a parent, sleep deprivation can feel eerily similar. The middle-of-the-night feedings, bad dreams, and “I need a drink of water” requests can leave you feeling like you’re wandering through a fog of exhaustion. Just when you think you’ve gotten into a good sleep routine, your toddler decides 2 AM is the perfect time to start practicing their ABCs.
For many parents, especially in the early years, sleep can feel like a distant memory. The constant interruptions to your rest can leave you feeling disoriented, frustrated, and desperate for a good night’s sleep.
How to Cope: Prioritize sleep when you can, and take turns with your partner to handle nighttime wake-ups. If your child is older, try to establish a consistent bedtime routine and stick to it. And when all else fails, naps are your best friend!
