It’s no secret that more often than not, mothers are the primary parents. In the first few moments of life, it’s a function of biology, the natural order of things. But babies get older and recognizes the other people in their lives, there are plenty of ways for dads to step in. Sadly, far too many men don’t take the opportunity to be the parents they could be. And so when people see men making even the tiniest bit of effort, they’re overly praised for it.
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One Maryland mom said her husband was praised for doing the 'bare minimum.'
One mom lamented about this fact in a recent TikTok. Emily Belson, a mother of two in Maryland, said her husband was praised by complete strangers for doing the “bare minimum” when it came to parenting. Belson’s husband completed a weekly task but was praised as if he had completed a heroic effort.
“My husband just got home from the grocery store; he took both boys, they’re 1 and 2,” Belson explained. “Three people stopped him to tell him what a great dad he was for taking them to the store.”
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Belson said she's never been praised for doing the same, and she feels frustrated.
“Do you know how many times I’ve taken both of my kids to the grocery store, to literally everywhere? A million,” she said, answering her own question.
Then she offered up another example.
“How many people have stopped me to say I’m a great mom,” she asked, looking around the room before saying “Zero.”
Belson captioned the TikTok with sarcasm.
“Gold star, apparently,” the caption read with the hashtag #bareminimum.
Other moms shared their stories.
In the comment section, other women chimed in with similar experiences.
“I always heard, ‘Oh my you have your hands full!” one woman wrote.
Another commenter shared that the double standard works in other ways as well.
“Worst I saw was a pic of dad bringing home pizza-cool dad, mom doing it, lazy mom,” the person commented.
A dad confirmed that he, too, is complimented for just being a parent.
There was even a stay-at-home dad who also shared he was annoyed by the unwarranted praise and comments he hears.
“What kills me is some variation of the following two comments,” he wrote. “Babysitting today?” he shared, imitating the strangers he encounters.
“Nope,” he replied in a mock response, “Working hard every day to raise well-rounded, balanced, curious, and informed kids. Just being a dad, but thanks.”
And the other comment? "Giving mom a day off today? Nope. She is at work too working hard to provide for all of us," the dad shared.
