Ah, Saturday morning. The long lie-in. The leisurely breakfast. A slow read of the paper with a hot cup of tea. Except… you’re a parent now, and none of that is happening. Saturday mornings look a little different once kids are involved — and honestly, most parents will tell you the difference is both hilarious and a little bit painful.
Dad and blogger Rob Fee put together a brilliantly relatable take on the average Saturday morning with kids versus without kids, and it still rings true for parents everywhere.
As Rob puts it: “It doesn’t matter how many parenting books you read or how much research you do before having a child, nothing will ever prepare you for having every Saturday for the next two decades of your life destroyed. Kids don’t get the idea of sleeping in on the weekend or giving you a day off after a long shift at work.”
He created this humorous infographic showing exactly what a typical Saturday morning looks like for someone with kids compared to someone without:
If you’ve ever wondered why your Saturday feels nothing like it used to, this pretty much sums it up. The good news? Most parents who’ve been through it will tell you the noise, the early starts and the chaos are worth it — even if the lie-in is a distant memory.
You can follow Rob on Twitter @robfee.
A Few Saturday Morning Truths Every Parent Knows
- The “quiet lie-in” you planned the night before rarely survives contact with small children.
- Breakfast is rarely leisurely — it’s more likely to involve negotiating over cereal choices.
- Cartoons, in some form, are almost always involved.
- Reading the paper in peace becomes an aspirational, rather than realistic, goal.
None of this is a bad thing. It’s just… different. And once you know what to expect, it’s a lot easier to laugh along with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do kids wake up so early on weekends when they won’t get up for school?
Many children’s internal clocks aren’t tuned to the idea of a “day off.” Weekend wake-ups are often driven by hunger, light, or simply excitement about the day ahead, rather than any sense that Saturday should be different.
Is it normal to miss having quiet Saturday mornings?
Completely. Missing a bit of peace and quiet doesn’t mean you don’t love the chaos that’s replaced it — it’s a totally normal part of adjusting to family life.
Can Saturday mornings ever go back to being relaxing?
As kids get a little older, mornings often do settle down, even if they never look quite like they did before children. Many parents find small pockets of calm return over time.
You Might Also Enjoy
Looking for more relatable parenting reads? Check out The Difference Between Having Your First, Second and Third Child for another honest (and funny) look at how family life changes.
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