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Father Leaves His Kid With Exhausted Roommate, Then Throws A Fit When Told No
Man sitting on couch with hair clips in beard while little girl dressed as princess plays with his hair indoors.
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Father Leaves His Kid With Exhausted Roommate, Then Throws A Fit When Told No

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Having a roommate who’s willing to help you out is truly a blessing. But sometimes, people take that blessing and push it way too far. And the moment you call them out on it? Suddenly, you’re the bad guy. The outrage, the guilt-tripping, the drama, it all kicks in like clockwork.

One person shared how he got roped into an eight-hour babysitting session by his roommate and was “paid” with a $6 pizza. Naturally, he refused to help again. When he firmly reminded the couple that their child wasn’t his responsibility, things got tense. What followed was a serious wake-up call about setting boundaries and demanding basic respect.

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    Keeping kids entertained is quite a task, especially when you have a list of errands to run

    Image credits: nomadsoul1 / freepik (not the actual photo)

    A man shared how he babysat his roommate’s child for free and also got thrown up on by their cat

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    Image credits: TriangleProd / freepik (not the actual photo)

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    Image credits: Last_Chocolate

    Parents don’t have superpowers, and they shouldn’t be expected to handle everything on their own

    Image credits: Keira Burton / pexels (not the actual photo)

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    As a parent, there are a few things you need to understand, accept, and eventually make peace with. Dr. Katie Stirling, a seasoned Clinical Psychologist, gently reminds us, “Be real about the struggle.” It’s easy to chase the illusion of perfect parenting, but doing so only adds pressure. Being honest about your limits doesn’t make you weak, it makes you aware. The struggle is real, and it’s okay to say it out loud. 

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    Parenting is no joke, it’s one of the hardest jobs out there. Imagine trying to operate on low or no sleep while juggling responsibilities. Research shows that 71.91% of parents don’t get enough sleep at least three nights a week. It’s not just tiredness, it’s emotional weight. Eight out of ten parents report increased stress and guilt when they’re sleep-deprived. And a whopping 95.33% end up delaying bedtime just to reclaim a slice of personal time.

    Then there’s the endless stream of tasks that come with caring for a baby: feeding, soothing, cleaning, repeating. And most parents aren’t just doing that, they’re working, managing homes, and juggling everything else. It’s a lot, and it doesn’t stop. 

    Here’s the truth: a healthy baby needs a healthy parent. That doesn’t just mean physically. It means mentally, emotionally, and spiritually too. You can’t pour from an empty cup, no matter how much love you have. So start by checking in with yourself. Are you surviving, or are you living? The answer will guide you.

    Giving yourself some “me time” helps you recharge and face your responsibilities with renewed energy

    Image credits: svetlanasokolova / freepik (not the actual photo)

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    Learn to tap out when you need to. That’s not quitting, it’s resetting. Stepping back to rest, even for a little while, gives you the strength to step back in fully. Ten minutes in silence, an hour away with a book, or just breathing in fresh air, small things go a long way. And remember, needing a break doesn’t make you a bad parent. It makes you a smart one.

    Incorporate physical activity where you can. No need for a fancy gym session, just a walk around the neighborhood can work wonders. Move your body to shift your mood. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s presence. When your body feels better, your mind starts catching up too. Sometimes, that walk can bring clarity no conversation can.

    Self-care is different for everyone. For one parent, it might be a podcast and hot tea. For another, it’s ten quiet minutes scrolling memes in the bathroom. It’s not the what that matters, it’s the why. Do it because you deserve peace, not because you earned it. 

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    Try meditating, even for five minutes a day. Guided or silent, sitting or lying down, it doesn’t matter how you do it. What matters is giving your brain a quiet space to land. You’ll be surprised how much calm can come from stillness.

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    Also, don’t forget your partner in all this chaos. Sometimes parenthood makes couples feel like coworkers on a shared shift. But connection matters. Laugh together, vent to each other, and be honest about your needs. You’re a team, and teams check in. Parenthood doesn’t have to be lonely when you’re in it together.

    And if you need help: ask. Whether it’s a friend dropping off dinner or a colleague watching the baby for ten minutes, accept it. Support comes in all forms, and none of it makes you weak. In this particular story, the author’s roommate took his kindness for granted. It’s a reminder: help should be appreciated, not expected. So, what are your thoughts? Has someone ever pushed your kindness too far? Share your story, we’re listening.

    People online were not pleased with how the author’s roommate completely disrespected his time

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    Nikita Manot

    Nikita Manot

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Nikita's knack for storytelling and creativity has led her into the world of writing. With a robust foundation in business studies, she crafts compelling narratives by seamlessly blending analytical insight with imaginative expression. At Bored Panda, she embarks on an exhilarating quest to explore diverse topics, fueled by curiosity and passion. During her leisure time, she savors life's simple pleasures, such as gardening, cooking homemade meals and hosting gatherings for loved ones.

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    Nikita Manot

    Nikita Manot

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Nikita's knack for storytelling and creativity has led her into the world of writing. With a robust foundation in business studies, she crafts compelling narratives by seamlessly blending analytical insight with imaginative expression. At Bored Panda, she embarks on an exhilarating quest to explore diverse topics, fueled by curiosity and passion. During her leisure time, she savors life's simple pleasures, such as gardening, cooking homemade meals and hosting gatherings for loved ones.

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

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    I'm a visual editor here at Bored Panda and I enjoy a good laugh. My work ranges from serious topics related to toxic work environments and relationship difficulties to humorous articles about online shopping fails and introvert memes. When I'm not at my work desk, checking if every single pixel is in the right place, I usually spend my free time playing board games, taking pictures, and watching documentaries

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    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a visual editor here at Bored Panda and I enjoy a good laugh. My work ranges from serious topics related to toxic work environments and relationship difficulties to humorous articles about online shopping fails and introvert memes. When I'm not at my work desk, checking if every single pixel is in the right place, I usually spend my free time playing board games, taking pictures, and watching documentaries

    Jonas Zvilius

    Jonas Zvilius

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    In my spare time, I enjoy creating art - both in traditional and digital form, mainly in the form of painting and animation. Other interests include gaming and music. Favorite bands include Swans, The Strokes, The Beatles.

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    Jonas Zvilius

    Jonas Zvilius

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    In my spare time, I enjoy creating art - both in traditional and digital form, mainly in the form of painting and animation. Other interests include gaming and music. Favorite bands include Swans, The Strokes, The Beatles.

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    Robin Roper
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP was used. The roommate is a total AH and OP should never agree to watch the child again. Poor kid.

    Jill Nunes
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow really the comment above from jacklynNicole saying just because he lived with the kid to he should be willing to watch her. If you read the part about they were all roommates but had a kid after the fact. He had just gotten off a night shift and was going to sleep when he got back after and the dad totally new what he was doing and was going to do it over and over again I bet. If you want some one to watch your kids be respectful and don't be AH because if you take advantage like this guy did you won't have help in the future. Some people would have called CPS and others would never ever babysit again. If he had asked for longer time in text message or offer something in return then possibly might have been okay. 8 hours is so disrespectful and bad Dad move I hope his wife gives him a good cussing out

    Amy Elliott
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seriously. They're also ignoring the OP had just worked a night shift and that 8 hours took their entire sleeping time.

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    Robin Roper
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP was used. The roommate is a total AH and OP should never agree to watch the child again. Poor kid.

    Jill Nunes
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow really the comment above from jacklynNicole saying just because he lived with the kid to he should be willing to watch her. If you read the part about they were all roommates but had a kid after the fact. He had just gotten off a night shift and was going to sleep when he got back after and the dad totally new what he was doing and was going to do it over and over again I bet. If you want some one to watch your kids be respectful and don't be AH because if you take advantage like this guy did you won't have help in the future. Some people would have called CPS and others would never ever babysit again. If he had asked for longer time in text message or offer something in return then possibly might have been okay. 8 hours is so disrespectful and bad Dad move I hope his wife gives him a good cussing out

    Amy Elliott
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seriously. They're also ignoring the OP had just worked a night shift and that 8 hours took their entire sleeping time.

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