Mom’s Epic Teething Photo Reminds Parents ‘This Too Shall Pass’

No matter how many books you read, articles you bookmark online, or YouTube videos you watch, nothing (NOTHING) can prepare you for when baby starts teething … or gets a tooth and continues to teethe. Yeah, the struggle is too real. That's what makes Jules Coffey's honest Instagram post about teething so damn hilarious and true. Sometimes, you really have to laugh to keep from crying — and you'll probably bawl your eyes out anyway.

"Tooth 4 has cracked & is swollen, she has a[n] ulcer on her tongue from chewing down on it & life is just a bit sh*t for her."

Oh boy baby.

After a lengthy battle with her teething and inconsolable 1-year-old daughter Emmison, Mom took to Instagram to share her ordeal and remind mothers everywhere that it's okay to feel frustrated and tired and on the edge.

You know when you're really tired & you have to close one eye to focus. Kinda like half of you is at least napping? That's me typing this. I wouldn't have been surprised if the Neighbours reported an unattended crying infant to the police last night. "No no officer all is fine thank you, but if you could possibly arrest me so I could grab some sleep in the holding cell that would be tops". See said child was not left to cry she was cuddled, rocked, patted, sang to, taken out into the loungeroom to watch wiggles, taken outside to look for birdies (all might I add I don't ever do because all of the above I am opposed to but when your child is in pain like that and screaming uncontrollably like never before – zero fucks will be given) given water, given 3 bottles, given Panadol, given gel, kissed, loved, changed nappy, changed clothes, put in with the dog (she was STOKED at 2am).Sometimes NOTHING WORKS.Sometimes you just have to do what you gotta do to SURVIVE.Although I don't look like I survived.Tooth 4 has cracked & is swollen, she has a ulcer on her tongue from chewing down on it & life is just a bit shit for her.It breaks your heart to see them like that. I'm a tough one for routine & not giving in but it's all irrelevant in circumstances like last night.So many emotions involved as a parent when your child is in distress.Empathy, sadness, frustration, resentment.I went from saying "my poor girl it's ok" to "stop, you are being silly now, calm down mummy has had enough!" She was tired.I was tired.Daddy was tired.The dog was tired. I'm sure the Neighbours were tired.So to women out there who have had these moments of utter exhaustion & despair, when you feel like you are going to crack, you are not alone.We are all human, it's normal to go through all the emotions when these tiny people are so reliant on you. It's physically (seriously though my arms & back think they have done a pump class) & emotionally draining.You have just got to do what you have to do in the moment & not be afraid to ask for help (MY GOD ADAM GET UP & GET THE FRIGGEN PANADOL) & remember 'THIS TOO SHALL PASS'. #untilthencoffeeandwine #andflipteeththebird #iminaglasscageofemotion

A photo posted by Jules Coffey (@newmumstheword) on Sep 12, 2016 at 5:15pm PDT

 

As Jules explains:

So many emotions involved as a parent when your child is in distress. Empathy, sadness, frustration, resentment. I went from saying, 'My poor girl it's OK' to 'Stop, you are being silly now, calm down, mummy has had enough!'

She was tired. I was tired. Daddy was tired. The dog was tired. I'm sure the neighbours were tired.

Having 2- and 1-year-old kiddos myself, I couldn't agree more with this mom.

Teething is NO JOKE.

I thought with my boys being 16 months apart my husband and I would be prepared for our youngest to teethe, but oh no, that definitely did not happen. Not only were the experiences very different, but child number two has decided to take his sweet time getting in all of his teeth.

Obviously, I know he can't control it, but I gotta have someone to blame, righhht? (Kidding.)

In a world where every parent is supposed to be "perfect" and never complain about the realities of raising kids — because we don't deserve them otherwise — I love when moms, like Jules, are honest about their struggles and want to encourage fellow mommies to continue fighting the good fight.

Jules adds:

So, to women out there who have had these moments of utter exhaustion & despair, when you feel like you are going to crack, you are not alone. We are all human, it's normal to go through all the emotions when these tiny people are so reliant on you. It's physically (seriously though, my arms & back think they have done a pump class) & emotionally draining. You have just got to do what you have to do in the moment & not be afraid to ask for help.

Preach, sister Coffey!

Embedded content: https://media.giphy.com/media/Jq0alN8yTrhss/giphy.gif

Hopefully you feel encouraged to keep on keeping on should you happen to be a mommy who's trying to survive on the teething battlefield.

It's okay to admit you're tired. It's okay to phone a friend. And it's okay to ask for help.

And as Jules says, "Remember, 'THIS TOO SHALL PASS.'"

(Hang in there.)

Image via newmumstheword/Instagram