Approaching John and confronting him was out of the question. He would probably manage to turn the whole story upside down making Grace feel bad for not trusting him.
She decided to give it some time. Maybe it was all in her head? In the worst case, she will realize nothing was going on, and no one gets hurt. Life, however, had other plans.
The Privilege of a Housekeeper
When Pipa decided to hire a housekeeper, she knew she had to install cameras around the house, too. There was no way she was going to let a complete stranger into the house, and it wasn't easy for Pipa to trust someone so easily anyway.
Soon enough, Pipa would realize that putting up cameras around the house was the smartest thing she had ever done. She would soon discover things about Jackie, her housekeeper, and about Jackie's husband, Sem, that she never thought could be true. But what was so astonishing, and what did Pipa find that was so overwhelming?
Jackie
Jackie had been working for Pipa for a while. Their relationship was relatively on good terms, however, there was something about Jackie that Pipa could not work out. Pipa had cameras around the house, and she knew that she would have to check them one day and see what secret they were hiding.
When the day came, and Pipa became too suspicious of her housekeeper, she had to think of a plan. She wanted to find out what was happening but didn't want Jackie to know she was on to something. Soon enough, Pipa would find out what Jackie's real intentions were.
She Let Her in the House
Finding a good and hard-working housekeeper is not an easy task. Finding a hard-working and trustworthy one is very difficult. Your most personal and most valuable belongings are exposed to a complete stranger, and when you find one who respects your private home, you better keep them close and never let them go.
A housekeeper can easily become part of the family, and when children join the household, the housekeeper becomes like an older sibling, and the responsibilities go beyond keeping the house. They become an extended part of the family, and you find yourself asking, how on earth did you manage before?
No Time for a Honeymoon
When Sem and Pipa got married, they were so busy at work that they never got a chance to go on their honeymoon. They were still very young and felt their whole life was in front of them and that there was no reason to rush things. Having Jackie in their life changed so many things, and it also gave them a little more time to spend with each other.
They didn't have to worry about keeping the house neat and clean, so they could finally plan their little romantic vacation together. Sem and Pipa asked Jackie to stay in their house while they were away, and she was more than happy to do so. A little TOO happy, in fact....
It Was Time to Go
Sem and Pipa were getting things ready for the holiday they had been planning for such a long time. They still had two weeks to go before they departed on their voyage. For a day now, Pipa had been hearing gossip about Jackie, which made her feel very uncomfortable.
At first, Pipa didn't want to share her thoughts with Sem because she had assured him that leaving the house with Jackie would be absolutely fine. Having said that, it was only a matter of time before the truth had to come out. Was the hearsay that was going around true? Or were these just horrible stories about innocent women?
She Wanted the Truth
Pipa decided that before she approached Sem with her ongoing feelings, she wanted to find evidence of what she had been hearing. If she approached Sem with only speculations, he wouldn't take her seriously.
Pipa was unsure if leaving her house in Jackie's hands was the right thing to do. She had to make sure her housekeeper was trustworthy, and she had to assure Jackie was the person she thought she was. One morning, Pipa told Sem she was going to go to work a little later. The truth was, she hid in the closet and waited for Jackie to arrive.
The Word Was Getting Around
The rumors about Jackie had been circling in Pipa and Sem's neighborhood for quite a while, however, no one could say if these rumors were based on anything true or not. At first, Pipa didn't want to hire Jackie, however, she felt it was unfair to Jackie not to hire her based on some rumors that were circling around.
Pipa was a fair person and wanted to give Jackie the benefit of the doubt. Pipa knew that sometimes people were judged unfairly and could even be victims of bullying and prejudice. She wanted to give Jackie a chance to prove herself. Was Pipa about to make the biggest mistake of her life?
They Wanted to Give Her a Fair Chance
Sem was the same. He didn't want to judge a person before even getting to know them, and he felt it was unfair not to hire Jackie because of rumors that crossed their way. When they first met Jackie, she gave such a g great impression, and she had so much experience, so as far as they were concerned, she was efficient and, most importantly, reliable.
Hiring a housekeeper was going to change their lives, give them more quality time together, and teach them a lesson or two in life. They were in for a surprise and had no idea what lesson they were about to learn.
She Was Everything They Wanted
At first, Jackie was everything Pipa and Sem wished for. She was enthusiastic; she was lively, willing to work extra hours, and seemed to understand exactly what Pipa and Sem needed. She was a great addition to their family. His intuition was strong, and he had a good feeling about her.
At first, Pipa was very comfortable with Jackie's presents, but after a while, things began to change, and now she found herself hiding in her bedroom closet, waiting to see what Jackie was up to, and waiting to discover if they had made the biggest mistake of their lives.
She Was a Little Too Late
The front door suddenly opened. It was the afternoon, which already made Pipa feel a little uncertain, as Jackie was supposed to start her day at ten o'clock. It was time for Pipa to get out of the closet and see what Jackie was up to. She heard a lot of odd noises coming from the kitchen area.
At first, she thought Jackie was going through Pipa's personal belongings in the drawers, but then she realized she was just cleaning the dishwasher. This was too much for Pipa to handle. She decided to come out of the closet and give Jackie the benefit of the doubt.
There Was Nothing Right About This
Pipa felt embarrassed and ashamed that she was spying on Jackie. She felt wrong for assuming Jackie was up to something and had to think of a way to get out of it. How could she justify being at home so late in the morning? What excuse could she think of for being around at those hours and not looking suspicious?
She decided to just act naturally and join Jackie in the kitchen. She offered to help clear the dishwasher, however, Jackie insisted on doing it alone. When Pipa was making her way towards the door to leave the house, Jackie seemed relieved.
What Was She Up to?
Pipa was not happy. What was Jackie's response when she left the house? It was more than just feeling more comfortable when the landlady was not around. Jackie was up to something, and Pipa knew it. She was sure of it. Pipa and Sem had been discussing putting cameras around the house for a while now.
Pipa thought that now could be the best time. They also discussed getting an alarm system, which they didn't have. This way, they would be secured from break-ins, too. Without consulting Sem, Pipa decided to act on her own accord and order the cameras.
They Were All Set Up
Before she realized it, the camera company workers were in and out and completed installing cameras in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and guest room. They even installed one in the laundry room. You never know. The cameras made Pipa feel secure and protected.
There was no way Jackie could reveal the cameras as they were hidden so well, and there was no way she could hide whatever she was hiding. The truth was about to be out in the open. The honeymoon was just a few days away, and Pipa felt she was leaving the house in good hands (or in good cameras).
She Was a Nervous Wreck
Up until that Monday morning, the morning they were planning to leave on their honeymoon, Pipa was uneasy. She was nervous and just wanted to get this episode over and done with. She was concerned Jackie might spot the cameras, which would then make things even worse.
It was now time for Pipa and Sem to leave on their honeymoon, and after a short briefing on the house, plants, and cats, it was time for them to go and leave the house in Jackie's hands. Things were going according to plan. Pipa and Sem were on their way for a little romantic break, and Jackie had no idea what was going on.
As if No One Was Watching
As Jackie had no idea she was now recorded, she felt as comfortable and free as always. Jackie sang from the top of her lungs and danced all over the place as if no one was watching. In her mind, she was free to do whatever she pleased. Pipa and Sem were far away, and she had the whole place to herself.
While still on the plane, Pipa couldn't stop thinking about Jackie and about what she was up to. The only thing that eased her mind was the fact that she had cameras, and soon enough, she would be able to find out what her housekeeper was doing.
She Began Imagining Things
Pipa started to visualize Jackie with loads of friends over and having wild parties. Then she thought that maybe Jackie had some secret boyfriend and was now taking the opportunity of having him over, staying a few nights. She was anxious to see what the cameras would reveal.
When they arrived at their honeymoon apartment, they realized that the camera app that was supposed to reflect their house was not working yet. She couldn't enjoy her honeymoon as all she was thinking about was her house, the cameras, and Jackie. Instead of taking a break and enjoying herself, she found herself even more concerned than she was before.
It Was Supposed to Be Their Time
What was supposed to be the honeymoon that Pipa and Sem had been waiting so long for, had become an uneasy and disturbing time for doing nothing but thinking about what was going on back home. They couldn't allow this to go on for very much longer, and they decided they were going to do the best they could and enjoy themselves.
They were going to make the best out of it. With everything that was going on, Pipa felt bad about not being honest with Sem, and she decided to tell her beloved husband the truth. She told him that the cameras they had talked about for years had already been installed.
He Was Shocked
Sem couldn't believe what he was hearing. Not only was Pipa feeling uncomfortable and uneasy with their housekeeper, but she went and installed cameras around the house without consulting with him first. He was shocked that Pipa was so distrustful, and he began wondering what else she might be hiding.
Things were starting to fall apart, and the honeymoon they were both dreaming of was starting to crumble down. He didn't understand why Pipa wasn't honest with him or clear about her thoughts and feelings. Who was hiding more? Was it Jackie the housekeeper or was it Pipa, his wife?
It Was Almost Over
Pipa and Sem's honeymoon (if you can call it a honeymoon) came to an end, and it was their time to go back home. When they arrived at their front door, the most unexpected was awaiting them. They entered the house, Jackie wasn't there and they couldn't believe what she had left behind. Something was wrong.
Jackie was definitely trying to hide something, but what could it be? Was Pipa just paranoide? Were the rumors about Jackie true? Or should Pipa have been grateful for the spotless house she had come back to? She had to get to the bottom of it.
It Wasn't Connected
When Pipa discovered that she forgot to connect the cameras to the app, she realized she had to think of another way to discover what was going on. She began to worry that maybe the cameras were a waste of time and money and that she would never get to the bottom of things. The situation controlled her life.
Pipa began to ask her neighbors if they had seen something unusual or if they had maybe seen something going on in the house they thought they should know. The neighbors were more than happy to help, however, couldn't give any helpful information. Except for one neighbor.
All But One
One of the neighbors said that one night, they could hear strange sounds coming out of the house. In addition, several cars had been parked outside of the house during the week. Pipa didn't like the sound of this and decided to go straight and talk to Sem, her husband.
The neighbor's report was more than enough to get Sem worried and concerned, too. Pipa and Sem decided that this time, they were going to catch Jackie red-handed and worked out a new plan. They decided that they would go to a hotel for a night and ask Jackie to come and stay at the house.
It Wasn't Romantic at All
What might have seemed to be a romantic night out was actually a detective episode played by Pipa and Sem. In the night, Sem spent some quality time with his friends, and Pipa was playing detective by watching the cameras.
More than anything, and even more than finding out what Jackie was up to, Pipa wanted to put an end to the rumors that were going around. To know that there was no base to what had been said about her. She wanted to prove the community wrong and was eager to show that Jackie was as reliable as their own family. Was she?
One Night Out
Pipa and Sem decided to spend the so-called romantic night out apart. They didn't want to sit and watch the cameras reveal the hidden truth together, so they decided to part for the night. This would soon turn into one of their biggest mistakes. Each one of them could have used some time alone.
Pipa was glued to her iPad and watched every single moment Jackie took. Sem, on his part, was out with his friends, having the time of his life without a care in the world, and Pipa was isolated in a small hotel room, waiting for reality to blow up in her face.
She Almost Gave Up
It was eight o'clock in the evening. Pipa had been watching her iPad screen for hours now, and there was nothing going on. Everything seemed to be normal around the house. There was nothing strange going on until Jackie walked into the house again. Something about her looked weird and unnatural.
She was holding weird things in her hands, and she was walking in a very weird manner. Then, Pipa's iPad screen notified something. It showed a message on the screen, which Pipa had been waiting for for a long time. This was no surprise. She was expecting this to come.
Everything Was Strange About her
Pipa couldn't identify what Jackie was holding in her hands. Soon enough, everything would clear up. Jackie was walking heavily around the house. She was nervous and uneasy and looked as if she was going to do something wrong. Jackie was looking around, and it looked as if she wanted to make sure no one was watching her.
Pipa kept looking at whatever it was Jackie was holding in her hands and was anxious to see what was about to happen next. Pipa was suspicious and was waiting impatiently. Then, Jackie went into the bathroom, where there were no cameras.
Then She Disappeared
Jackie was in the bathroom for a long time, and Pipa had no way of knowing what was going on in there. She wanted to go straight home and confront Jackie, but then she saw something on the screen that unbalanced her completely.
Pipa couldn't believe what was going on. How could someone she trusted for such a long time do this to her? There was no way Sem wouldn't believe her now. She had everything on camera, and it was all recorded. After everything, Jackie had finally been caught red-handed. There was no way she could argue with this kind of proof.
She Was Caught Red Handed
Pipa ran out of the old hotel room, jumped into her car, and drove home as fast as she could. She knew she had to get there on time before things got out of hand. While still on her way home, she called Sem, and Pipa was in for another surprise.
Instead of supporting her, Sem was very skeptical about what was going on. He felt that Pipa was suffering from some sort of delusion and that she could only imagine things. Getting Sem to join her and going back home to confront Jackie was not as easy as she thought it would be.
There Was No Going Back
Pipa was confident that the proof she had was enough to confront Jackie with. She was determined to persuade Sem that what she saw was real and that he would finally understand why she was so uneasy with the fact that Jackie was in their house.
The timing was in Pipa's favor. She burst into the house while Jackie was still there. Jackie was shocked. She wasn't expecting Pipa to return until the following day, and she found herself standing in the middle of the house, speechless. She blushed and began to stutter, and felt as if her entire world collapsed in front of her eyes.
She Begged for Forgiveness
Jackie knew she was caught. She knew deep inside that there was no way she could explain what was going on, and she was ashamed and felt like she wanted to disappear. She wanted to make it up to Pipa but didn't know how.
Jackie didn't know that Pipa had cameras, so she began to excuse things and began making up stories about what had happened. She thought she could work her way around this one and convince Pipa otherwise. Pips was losing her temper, and things were about to get out of control. A few minutes later, Sem walked in.
Hard Proof
Pipa showed Sem her iPad with all the proof she had about what was going on. Pipa was working very hard to stay calm and in control but she was furious. Jackie has no idea what Pipa saw or what she was showing her husband.
“How could you?!” Sem yelled at Jackie. She tried to explain her side of the story, but Pipa and Sem knew everything was a lie, and they didn't believe a word that came out of her mouth. Pipa showed Jackie the footage on her iPad, and Jackie turned white. Everything was there, and there was no way she could get out of it.
She Wanted an Explanation
Pipa was not going to let this go, and everyone was going to know that Jackie had staged a break-in and filled her car with valuables. She was planning to sell everything, and with the money, she wanted to pay her college fees. All of the information on her resume was a lie.
She never went to Yale University and half the people she said she worked for never heard of her. Jackie excused things by saying that she never went to university because she could never afford it but Pipa didn't want to hear. It was just too much to handle.
She Had a Change of Heart
It wasn't long before Pipa began feeling sorry for Jackie and wondered if money for school was really the only reason behind her behavior. She realized how lucky she was. She had a loving husband, they had a beautiful house, and they could afford to go on honeymoons and other vacations.
They could even afford a housekeeper, which was something not everyone could have. It took them a long time, but eventually, Pipa and Sem decided not to go to the police. Instead, they did the least expected thing. If money for school is what Jackie needs, they are going to give it to her.
They Suprised Her
Jackie couldn't believe what was going on. She was so relieved they were not going to report her to the police, but even more, she was thrilled she was getting an opportunity to go and study at university. This was her dream come true.
Jackie apologized over and over again, and Pipa and Sem felt honored that they had been given a chance to help out someone in need. Jackie was eager to make both Pipa and Sem proud of her, and she felt she owed them so much and that the day would come when she would pay them back.
A Brand New Life
The three parted, and Jackie carried on to university. Pipa and Sem made a point of clearing her name amongst the neighbors and explained her situation and what had pushed her into doing the things she did. From that day, Jackie's life was dedicated to her education and ensuring nothing like that ever happened again.
Pipa and Sem were relieved that they had finally discovered what had been bothering Pipa. They were relieved to be assured that she was not being deceitful about anything, and most of all, they were happy to show their wonderful nature, their giving willingness, and their unconditional belief in humankind.
Having at-home staff you can trust is not an obvious thing. The family in the following story found that out the hard way.
Flirting young nannies hitting on husbands is something that only happens in the movies. That's what Grace thought until she heard her husband whispering something to their babysitter on the other side of the front door.
At first, she ignored the signs but then, life's reality was about to knock on her door. It proved that not always what you see is what you get and that there is more to handsome husbands, under-the-radar conversations, and hidden cameras.
Meet the Richards
John and Grace Richards had it all. He was a sophisticated out-of-a-magazine lawyer, and she was a happy and content real estate agent. They didn't have a worry to their name.
Like all young families, Grace was over the moon when she first got pregnant, however, she had no idea that along with a new baby, so would trouble and hard times be coming her way.
Grace's Pregnancy
Many women carry a difficult pregnancy that can be accompanied by morning sickness, swollen feet, and an overall feeling of discomfort. But not for Grace.
Her pregnancy was easy and full of joy, and she considered them to be the best days of her life. She shone. As soon as the baby was born, things were about to change.
A New Struggle
Everything was a struggle. She found it almost impossible to get back to her normal self and the baby blues she suffered from, took over her life.
She couldn't look at herself in the mirror. Instead of wanting to be close to her baby, all she wanted was to be alone, and worst of all, she felt her husband didn't desire her anymore.
It Wouldn't Go Away
Baby blues can creep up on any woman unexpectedly. It happens when the hormone levels are uneven, combined with the physical changes the body goes through.
Grace didn't know how long this was going to go on and never thought she had to seek medical advice. She just hoped it would disappear.
Back to Life
By the time her baby was eight months old, Grace wanted to go back to work. She felt that being occupied and getting involved with other interests besides her baby would help her get better.
John was busy with his occupation and personal stuff. Grace wanted her own life back too. Little did she know that things were not going to get better, in fact, they were about to get a lot worse.
The New Babysitter
Then Anna came into her life. Anna was the new babysitter Grace hired, so she could get back to work. She was young, talented, educated, and beautiful. Grace felt she won the jackpot.
Anna seemed to be the perfect companion for her baby and for the family, however, Grace was in for a surprise. Anna was a little more than just a babysitter. Grace began observing and analyzing the babysitter's behaviors that bothered her.
First Suspicion
At first, Grace thought she was imagining things. She kept telling herself that she has been under a lot of pressure and that her mind is sometimes stronger than reality. As the days went by, her suspicions of Anna flirting with John were too much to ignore.
Not only was Anna flirting with her husband, but she also caught them once whispering to each other in the hallway. Was Grace imagining things, or was something going on?
A New Path in Life?
If Grace's self-esteem and confidence weren't shoved down to the floor, then the new Anna incident made sure they would. Grace gave birth not so long ago and perhaps John was looking for new and exciting things in life.
On any other day, Grace would have thrown her suspicions out of the window, however, this was happening in her own house and there was a limit to what she was willing to tolerate.
Things Were Changing
Grace began wondering if maybe it was time for new things in life. For one thing, she wasn't the same Grace John married a few years back.
Her dimensions were not the same, her energy was stuck in low key for a while and the smile on her face that used to brighten up any rainy day had disappeared.
Taking Time
Approaching John and confronting him was out of the question. He would probably manage to turn the whole story upside down making Grace feel bad for not trusting him.
She decided to give it some time. Maybe it was all in her head? In the worst case, she will realize nothing was going on, and no one gets hurt. Life, however, had other plans.
Say Cheese
What could be more reliable than a camera? Grace wasted no time and bought two cameras to install in the house. One in the living room and one outside, by the entrance door.
With these cameras, she would be able to see for herself what her husband was up to. She had reached salvation. The cameras were the best way to solve this babysitter/husband mystery.
She Was Determined
As time passed, Grace became more and more suspicious that something was going on between John and Anna. She was uneased and the hope of things brightening up was becoming blurry.
She was certain that what she thought was going on, was indeed taking place. No one could tell her otherwise.
It Was Money Time
One week later, Grace was ready to look the devil in the eye. It was time to sit back and see what the cameras had to reveal. Deep within herself, she was hoping to be wrong.
Feeling nauseous, Grace played the camera's footage and paused each time it featured John and Anna together. Whenever she saw them alone, she paid careful attention, ready to confront her findings.
It Was Getting Too Close
Anna, being Anna, showed affection towards John which was revealed very clearly in the camera's films. What concerned Grace the most, was John's reaction to Anna's behavior and body language. She couldn't get her eyes off the screens.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door which ended her daily drama session, and she had to turn the documentary off.
An Unexpected Suprise
Just like in any good thriller, Anna was the one on the other side of the door. Anna put on her charming and irresistible smile and said that she has come to pick up her paycheck. She added that she was expecting to see John.
Oh was she, Grace thought to herself. She painted a fake smile on her face and before she managed to respond, John walked in.
Taking Things Outside
John insisted on paying Anna, not allowing Grace to reach for her purse. Not only that, he insisted on doing so outside and not in front of Grace. He walked Anna to her car.
John foolishly thought Grace went back into the house, however, she was there all along watching the cameras. She couldn't get her eyes off the two knowing that all of her suspicions were about to become her new reality.
Beyond the Eye Contact
John had always been an attractive man. Women have forever checked him out, but there was something more than that when it came to Anna. She wasn't just flirting with him. The two of them were communicating.
Grace knew she had to stay on high alert as without notice, she could turn around and her marriage would fall apart and be over.
Little Black Dress
Still watching the cameras, Anna's clothing drew Grace's attention. Maybe if some other less attractive girl would have worn the same little black outfit she wouldn't have been so concerned, but on Anna, it looked seductive.
Grace tried to push her thoughts aside and not pay attention to things that weren't really happening, however, the next thing that occurred couldn't leave her oblivious to the situation.
Physical Attraction
Anna placed her hand on John's arm. Grace could almost feel the warmth emitting from her hand. It was there and then that Grace knew for certain that something was going on. There was no need for storytelling. It was presented in front of her eyes.
John and Anna were romanticly involved, living a completely separate life in a parallel world and not making an effort in hiding it. Grace was devastated, however, she didn't want to allow her grief to take over.
Blindfolded
Grace sat in front of the screen struggling to keep her tears away, and watched Anna and John walk towards the hallway. Anna approached closer to John and said something that Grace could only wish to hear.
What happened next, not only escalated Grace's sickening feelings but also revealed John in a light that was way out of character. This was not the man she married. Grace felt that her heart was about to stop.
No Words Needed
Anna and John looked closer than ever. John had his back to the camera so grace couldn't read his lips to try and figure out what he was saying. Understanding Anna was no issue as she said so much with so few words just by gesturing her little outfit at John.
Grace felt that the world froze. She couldn't stop staring at the screen and looking at her husband and the babysitter. She was watching her world being torn apart with her own two eyes.
The Moment of Truth
Grace continued to watch the footage and as John escorted Anna away from the house's entrance, Grace switched on to watch what the outdoor camera had to reveal. She felt the moment of truth was approaching and reality was about to explode.
Grace carefully watched John and Anna, however, what she was about to see was very different than what she was expecting. It looked as if John and Anna were having an argument. Was John breaking up with Anna?
Put Thing to an End
John rushed back into the house and left Anna crying outside all alone. Grace couldn't help herself and she ran out to her husband. "I fired her," John said. " I don't like the way she is treating me", he added.
Grace couldn't believe what she was hearing. He doesn't approve of how she is treating him? She asked herself. What was he expecting? Grace was confused and wanted to get to the bottom of this. If John and Anna are not having an affair, then what was going on?
More Than Ever
John turned out to be a more loving husband than Grace could ever wish for. He explained to her that he didn't approve of Anna flirting with him. That it was disrespectful towards her (Grace) and towards their baby.
Apparently, he had asked Anna on more than one occasion to stop behaving the way she does, but she never took his words seriously. Anna made John feel uncomfortable in his own house and he didn't like it.
Coming Clean
Grace felt she had to come clean and shared with John what she had been going through. She told him about her suspicions, and about the cameras. She broke down and cried.
She felt guilty for not trusting her husband and for spying on him. She went on and said that ever since the baby was born, she was simply not herself. She thought he wasn't interested anymore and that their marriage was over.
Confession
John was shocked. He had no idea what Grace was going through. This was all new to him. If only she would have shared with him how she felt. He was devastated as much as Grace was.
They openly spoke about all that had happened, understanding that if they would have communicated with one another, all of this could have been avoided.
The Days After
After everyone came clean, Anna obviously lost her job. There was no room for people like her in the Richards home and no room for babysitters of that sort in Grace and John's lives.
But whatever happened to Grace? Did she ever recover from the condition she's been dragging since she gave birth? Did she ever come to terms with not being able to fight her battle on her own?
Do You Have to Let It Linger?
Grace's depression and posttrauma lingered on for a long time. After the John and Anna story, Grace knew she needed professional help and things weren't just going to disappear.
Her doctor assured her that she was not by herself on this rocking boat. That almost 20% of women suffer from similar syndrome after giving birth. For the first time in a long while, Grace didn't feel alone.
Breathing Once Again
It took almost one month of treatment and therapy for things to get back to normal and one morning, Grace woke up and felt that she could breathe again. Air was filling up her lungs and she was at ease.
The feeling of depression, anxiety, and longing to curl up in a ball melted away and she gradually started to come back to herself. It was time to invest good energy in her marriage and of course, in herself.
Revolution Time
With the help of medication, therapists, and her loving husband, Grace realized many things about her condition. Mental health issues don't just go away. If neglected, they will eventually crawl back up and cause damage.
Grace regretted not treating herself sooner, however, she was thankful that she eventually came around to it. This condition which occurs after giving birth can happen to anyone, so what should you do if you feel one of the closest to you might be suffering from this situation?
You Can't Do It Alone
Communication is the first and most important thing. The new mother has to be aware of what she is going through, and comprehend that professional help is needed.
There are support groups, psychotherapists, designated medication, and more. If there is a strong, warm, and loving family around, the healing process will become faster and easier.
Together at Last
John too has had his share of life lessons and he knows that in the future, whatever happens, and whoever enters their life, the most important thing to do is to communicate.
As for Grace, life has never been better. She might have gone through dark days, but when you reach such low places in life, you can only grow taller.
You've seen some important information about what can happen after giving birth, but what about actually raising kids? Keep reading for the best posts and tweets from first-time parents.
We all have irrational optimism when it comes to our own lives as a parent, it's like we think that maybe if we planned everything perfectly it will go well and there will be no surprises... Here's a peek into what your life will look like if you decide to take the plunge and start a family of your own, but you have been warned...
Traveling With Kids
If ever you want an up-to-the-minute reminder of what you're doing or where you're going, just have kids with you and they'll be sure to promptly remind you of every moment, no matter how mundane.
Just kidding, this tweet sounds more like an alarm clock that you can't snooze or switch off. It just keeps alerting you whether you want it or not. Oh, and every now and then, your children will yell and demand in a tightly contained space. Have a nice flight!
According to Science
Kids are known to have incredible reasoning abilities when it comes to getting what they want. They know exactly how to justify their motives, with indubitable facts that make you question your own sanity.
Who knew arguing with a 6-year-old would be this irrational and at the same time so insightful? In this case, science says hand over the Neapolitan.
Welcome to Parenting!
Just a friendly reminder that being a parent means you'll be faced with the harshest of critics, did you expect to have your cooking critiqued by amateurs after slaving away in the kitchen? Probably only if you're an aspiring chef.
It's not all bad though, because you know those same critics think nothing of eating insects or already chewed gum they found on the pavement. So the next time they refuse to eat their veggies and pressure you for some chicken nuggets, you know not to take it personally.
Terrified But Hopeful
Having kids means you constantly worry about them. It's relentless, even when they're old enough to drive you still worry (if not more) for their safety, and everyone else on the road!
Of course, with every milestone, there come a few perks. Once they're independent, they can drive themselves around and grab you your favorite order from McDonald's.
Brutal Advice
One quality you'll always hear about kids is their unflinching commitment to honesty. They don't care about your feelings and know how to tell you the truth. It only seems fitting that they take an already difficult announcement and make it even more brutal.
Clearly this six-year-old has won this round when it comes to delivering bad news, her mom is so proud, she even hopes she becomes a doctor just so she can use her creative mind to scare her patients.
So How Was Your Day?
We know why you're here — because you'd like nothing more than to have a decent conversation with your child, or at the very least, a few niceties exchanged when you're not occupied with life and other errands.
Unfortunately, in this pie-chart we call "How to spend quality time with your children," there's only a small sliver saved for convenient times that make for pleasant conversations, and it's been crowded out by the rest of your time.
The Benefits of Having Kids
What would you do if you were unburdened by the wonder and agony of your bloodline? Probably deal with life's little problems by yourself, but if you had kids, at least you could ask them for small favors to get you out of difficult phone calls.
Oh, the joys of parenthood! Clearly, this text proves that there are benefits to having kids. Now all your hard work and thankless efforts have paid off.
Nice ID
This woman's 5-Year-Old son stole her wallet one afternoon and ran off to play with it in his room. A few days later, she got pulled over and all she had to show for ID was this!
That's a tricky one to explain to the officer on duty, "um... Sir, sorry but it seems my kid stole my ID." That would work as a valid excuse, they should just believe you and let you go without a ticket...
Let It Go
Having kids means letting of any expectations you may have before having kids. That includes a weekly outing to your favorite restaurant, an exquisite vacation, and that perfectly planned photoshoot.
Now, with your beloved angel in tow, everything is different. It might be tempting to want everything to go as planned but you'd be better off ripping off that band-aid now than letting it slowly devour your hopes and dreams.
Busted!
This curious case of the cellphone found in the toilet proved difficult to solve at first. When questioned, all three kids in this household claimed innocence and none of them would crack under pressure.
The parents were stumped and not sure how they could find the guilty party. So they looked through the evidence and luckily found photos of the incident that incriminated the culprit. Just another day in the life of a parent.
Kids Will Be Kids
Every parent has an adjustment period, and this period can fall anywhere on the spectrum from overanalyzing every single scratch and scrape their firstborn has, to not caring at all about their child's well-being.
This incident falls somewhere in between, where running into a wall isn't a cause for concern, but simply a calm remark that's stored away in case their child shows any symptoms later that day.
Vandals
Sometimes all a creative kiddo wants is a blank canvas to draw on. Almost anything can be used from the walls to their sleeping parents' faces. As tempting as it may be to take a nap while your children play, it could result in a scandalous mess.
While your kids may appear adorable and innocent, they are still little sociopaths who will blame the dog for their own villainy.
A Comedy of Errors
One of the most maddening things that will happen to you when you have kids of your own is people telling you what you need to do before your life changes forever. Stuff like "go eat out as much as possible," and "sleep in."
But the most annoying thing is probably to "go to the theater for entertainment before you have kids," when having kids presents you with so many zany and amusing situations you will have enough entertainment to last you a lifetime.
And What About Tigger?
A short answer to this question would be the Hundred Acre Woods, but instead, Zack got confused by his son's question and gave him a lengthy explanation of the human digestive system.
That's totally on Zack for assuming what his son was asking about, but having kids does mean your mind will immediately jump to conclusions, making you draw conclusions that only question your own intelligence.
Good Question
In our humble opinion, getting your daily eight hours of sleep is one of life's small luxuries, and having kids doesn't necessarily mean you have to exchange said luxury for sleepless nights. But you will need to accept that the paradigm has shifted and while you can still sleep, it's just going to be different.
Having kids means your sleep schedule will not fit neatly into an eight-hour window anymore, instead you can expect it to be spread over many hours with frequent interruptions.
Yikes!
If we've learned anything from kids, it's that peace and tranquility can easily be derailed. In this instance, this family spent their weekend away at an Airbnb to get some of that needed rest, but they didn't realize the bathroom doors had transparent glass, making their stalking toddler even more unnerving than usual.
Even a private trip to the bathroom proved to be frightful. This would be hilarious if it didn't look so scary!
All Hands on Deck!
Here's another look into the precarious life of a parent, with varying results, the dreaded diaper schedule from daycare. It looks like Maddie got the easy ones, while Brooke drew the short straw.
Brooke was not expecting this kind of explosion and seemed to faint right after filling in her report.
Urine Trouble!
Ah, who doesn't love waking up to the fresh and pungent smell of urine in the morning? The best part about this is having to sterilize and disinfect what was once your oasis to get rid of the vaporized smell of pee.
Honestly, there could be nothing worse than the smell of pee diffused through your home.
Dear Dad...
Such a thoughtful and at the same time bleak message to write on a birthday card, she even included a drawing of the grim reaper to add an extra punch.
At least he has a heart on his chest, which is a nice touch considering the rest of the card's content!
Oops!
After working from home for the past 9 months, this dad was finally asked to come back into the office so he shaved his beard, cut his hair, and put on his suit and tie, but his daughter did not approve and instantly burst into tears.
He only looks slightly worried, but that's because he knows he'll be out the door in a minute and won't have to deal with the mess he's made. He'll definitely miss his little girl at work.
Zooming in the Shower
Can you imagine how mortifying this must be?! Brian was taking what he thought was an undisturbed shower, only to have his six-year-old barge in with the laptop while the camera was on!
Never mind throwing a tantrum in the local supermarket, this is on a whole other level when it comes to embarrassing your parents. We bet this is going to lead to a seriously awkward parent-teacher meeting.
These Don't Go in Your Hair
Getting something stuck in your hair has happened to the best of us, from chewing gum to a tangled hairbrush. Both of those are problematic to remove but totally doable. But getting a whole box of 'Bunchems' stuck in your hair seems impossible!
Apparently, her brother decided it would be fun to see how they would look in her hair. The result is a complete mess and it took their mother 20 hours to get them all out! If that was our kid, we'd probably have it all shaved off by now.
'Best Farter Ever.'
This dad couldn't explain all the side-eyes and smirking glances he received from the other parents in his kid's class, but after a tour of his son's class, it all made sense. He found this photo on the wall of his classroom for photos of the year.
It sure is a sweet photo with a dad and his son while holding a mug that says "Best Farter Ever." It would be a shame if it was made public for others to see though, which is exactly what happened in this case.
Working From Home
If you're not used to working from home, you might have a bit of trouble adjusting to your new office, which is totally understandable. But throw your kids in the mix and distractions are bound to happen.
In this situation, it's important to lay down some house rules or put up a sign for when dad is in a meeting. Don't forget to list answers to possible questions!
When the Bread Runs Out
One of the best things about having kids is being privy to their imaginative worlds that show no bounds, but on the other end of the spectrum, their imagination has its limits.
Playing along with their pretend game can be tricky, you have to pretend their imagined world is real but then need to know where the confines of their imagination begin and end.
Slugs and All
Mayhem ensued as slugs escaped from this makeshift hospital and Chris Wilson was left unprepared and at a loss for words. If we were him, we would've told his kids that the slugs were healed and could go back home to their families.
But when you're in this kind of predicament it can be difficult to think on your feet and you may feel overwhelmed by the unpredictable whims of your kids.
Entertaining All Offers
Having kids means you'll occasionally have conversations like this. Ones that will make you want to return them so you can have some semblance of an adult life back. But one of the worst things about having kids is, there are no return policies!
So once you've had them, you're stuck with them for life and there's no rebates or concession. This is your life now and you'll just have to let them cry because they can't get in the oven with the lonely cornbread.
Parent Problems
Here's another example of how being a parent can leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. Now, when you assume something, you might miss the mark completely and you'll end up with a bunch of chips scattered all over the floor.
This just proves that having kids can wear you down in even the most unexpected ways imaginable.
It's a Little Too Quiet in Here
Leaving your kids to their own devices is a slippery slope on the waterslide of parental responsibilities. On the one hand, kids need to explore and learn how to keep themselves busy, on the other, they could end up burning your house down.
Luckily, in this case, only minor violations occurred that left these plants with only slight injuries on their leaves. It could have been much worse and at least they still have their house intact.
Banksy Would Be Proud
Everything is a canvas to kids and they will act accordingly, which is why it's important to only give them paint that can easily be removed or washed away.
That goes for any permanent marker or pen that could be within their reach. You know what? Just keep it all locked away in a hard-to-reach drawer that's only accessible with a 10-digit code.
I Made It Myself
It's always refreshing when you get photos showing how well your son is applying himself while at school. Other times, you get get a photo like this, which leaves you scratching your head and wondering if he's really your son.
Of course, you would've hoped for better but here’s the thing: in order to achieve those brief moments of parental paradise, you just need to let it go and laugh it off.
Pumpkid
Imagine waking up to this — either you'd be terrified or proud or a mixture of both. While we may think this is hilarious, few things are more maddening than being woken up by a painted pumpkin head, especially around six in the morning.
So maybe next time you wake up peacefully and soundly in your bed, after a good night's rest, make a mental note to remember how good you have it before you decide to have kids.
Crumbs Everywhere
When you start a family of your own, you're basically writing up a contract of sorts, one that involves changing diapers throughout the night and cleaning up after someone else's mess for the next (hopefully) 18 years of their life.
This mess can include anything from lego pieces to laundry but the worst offenders of them all are crumbs from crackers or any crumbly foods. You have been warned.
No More Privacy
Another exasperating fact of parental life means never having any privacy, and when we say never, we mean it. If, after all of these clear and obvious warnings, you still decide you want to have kids, then it's totally on you.
What's worse is once your kids are all grown-up and have left the house, you'll miss them so much you'll have the empty-nest syndrome, which is a whole other issue you should be made aware of...
Saturday Mornings Are for...
If you don't have kids, then you can expect your Saturday mornings reserved for sleeping in and eating brunch at your favorite cafe, while you wonder how the rest of the weekend will unfold.
But once you have kids, you don't have time to wonder, all you can do is juggle your toddlers as they squabble about stealing air as you try your best not to lose your temper.
Passive Aggressive Notes
Someone once said, "it's the little things that make parenting so rewarding," but they forgot to mention that little things also come in passive-aggressive notes written in soap.
Obviously, this was meant to be found, but all we want to know is, what did dad do that was so horrible?
We Can Relate
Sometimes imaginary bullies are way worse than the real ones, not only are they always around, but they know just how to make your kiddo cry. If parenting wasn't hard enough already, now you're also responsible for more complex issues, like their self-esteem.
This might just be one of those cases that we would recommend you read one or two of those parenting guides... Is there a section titled "How To Handle Mean Imaginary Friends?"
Home-Schooling
Home-schooling your kids might seem like a more straightforward alternative for some parents, but as many can attest to, having to teach your kids is not as fun as you thought it would be.
In fact, it can be downright challenging, and being made responsible for their education means you might go insane.
Let It Snow
Apparently, asking your kids to close the car door behind them is too much. What's worse is that this happened in the middle of snowy winter and now the interior of your car looks like a winter wonderland.
It's times like these you really need to dig deep and find that last bit of dignity you have left, so you don't end up in jail.
Can She Babysit?
Having kids is like being aware of a whole other world you never knew existed, one in which your child speaks to your deceased relatives through the walls.
If that doesn't creep you out, we don't know what will! Either it's time to move or take your child seriously as a medium to the spirit world.
Feeding the Monster
You're not going to believe this, but this collection of chaos is what was found in the air conditioning vent. Apparently, kids find it amusing to wedge in whatever they can find in there and see what happens.
So if you ever wonder where your measuring spoons went, or those decorative eggs, you might want to check your air vents...
Like a Scene from a Horror Film
There is a certain level of the human need to retreat every once in a while and search for privacy or at least a little peace and quiet. Here's another photo showing just how hard that can be once you're a parent.
We're not completely without empathy, but we are filled with fear at the sight of those teeth and claws.
A Two-Way Street
Well, look how the tables have turned, it seems that even kids find parenting hard. In this case, a six-year-old found it challenging to teach her mother how to use the TV remote, and there's even a picture to illustrate it.
Sometimes parenting is a two-way street and as a parent, you're just going to let your kids teach you all you need to know about technology.
An Innocent Game of Tag
Playing tag can be a good workout, with moving and blood pumping, it can set the stage for healthier kids with stronger muscles. But this game can also turn into a wrestling match that might cause your neighbors to call the police.
It's best to tread lightly with this one and set some ground rules before a fight erupts into full-blown anarchy.
Every Move You Make
You should know by now that whenever you go to the bathroom, you're not going alone, even if you close the door behind you. Your kiddo will be waiting outside the door, checking in on you even if you've only been inside for two minutes.
It's like having a stalker you can't get rid of. Instead, you're obligated to take care of them...
What's Cooking?
Raising a child is a huge responsibility. You'll need to teach them all about safety and fire hazards and that in itself, can be exhausting. Here's a little bit of advice — perfect parenting doesn't exist, so just try your best...
In case of smoke, we all know there could be a fire somewhere, but kids don't think like we do, which is why it's even more important to educate so your house doesn't burn down.
Are You Ready?
One of the best things about growing up was the cartoons, but now that you're older, they don't seem as interesting, making this question even more relevant than we'd know.
If this doesn't make you think before having kids, then you are definitely ready. Tell Spongebob we said hi.
Relatable
Let's get this out of the way fast: nothing is as relatable to the popular science fiction film called "Star Wars" as parenting. Where war wages between an evil Empire known as the first order and a Rebel Alliance of heroes called the Resistance.
Only, in real life, you're probably not the hero, simply an ancient Jedi who slowly dies while answering a string of nonsensical questions.
Boo!
Nobody would've thought that becoming a parent would mean you'd be terrified of your toddler. But acceptance is the first step, so as long as you can agree to that then you're as prepared as can be.
For many, this act requires no reflection at all, they simply just know how scary children are, and yet they still chose to have them.
Before and After
You might not believe this, but having kids is not nearly as glamorous as you've been led to believe. Sure it can be a meaningful and life-changing experience, but at what cost?!
Let's face it, we all want to be the guy on the left, he looks like he doesn't have a care in the world while he's siping on some ice tea. But on the right, he's been reduced to a step-ladder for a toddler. A STEP-LADDER, people!
Rude Awakening
Children might be called belligerent and hostile at times, but they're also great for warning you about the ever-nearing end of your life. Let's face it, none of your adult friends or family members are going to deliver this news with such finesse.
They'll even draw a picture of a waterslide for you, with a metaphor attached. That way, you'll know exactly what they mean.
Big Change
From working it to overworked. The change in footwear tells the whole story. Yes, your priorities will change, as this before and after photo can attest to, but you'll also look completely different. Almost unrecognizable.
It might look like 30 years have past since the first picture was taken, but truthfully, it's only been eight years.
A Migraine
Ginger knows whats up with kids, in fact, she's even come up with a new expression to describe a group of them. We would also have accepted shriek and nightmare.
We think this really works – no matter what the situation or where the ‘migraine of kids’ are it just sounds right, doesn’t it?
Don't Do it
This is quite possibly the single most important decision you will make in your life and, while obviously not mandatory, there are so many hoops to jump through, so if you make up your mind like this kid, you best be prepared for an onslaught of questions.
When asked what he'd do instead, "Eat." He replies ever so casually. If only we had this kind of fortitude.
Tiny Helper
Pop quiz, hotshot: Which one of these situations is more relaxing? It might be a little tricky, but this guy's tiny helper is not as helpful as you'd think.
With his one foot strumming and his hands holding on for dear life, he's definitely not making his dad's music sound any better... "Anyway, here's 'Wonderwall'"
So Competitive
We race a lot of cool things all over the world: horses, cars, and eggs in spoons. But to find true innovation in racing ridiculous things, you’d have to search the local carnival, where carousel horses race around a merry go round.
Well, it's technically not a race, but this kid thinks it is and he's super excited to win!
Looks Bad
You know how you know it’s 8pm in a suburban home? Well, you could always check for clues in the hallway.
With diapers spread out, a chair thrown over, a lonely tennis racket. This site looks more like a crime scene than a hallway in some family's home, but who are we to judge?
Anything is Possible
When you come home and discover that granola bar disseminated across your kitchen counters, floor, and even the living room carpet, don’t look at it like a mess. Look at how much your kids are capable of with a single granola bar.
Imagine if you could channel your kids boundless energy into something positive, the possibilities are endless.
Emotional Regulation
One of the reasons why kids are so difficult to manage is because they just don't how to manage their own emotions, so if one can figure out what calms them down, then life would be much easier.
In this case, a piece of cheese does the trick, and while it might seem simple it could definitely make life a whole lot easier.
Batman's Here
Sure, we'd all like to sound like Mary Poppins but having kids means you'll quickly learn to shrug off the guilt cloak and start perusing more serious cartoon characters to voice your frustration.
If you never thought your personality could change so quickly, then having kids will show you just how creative you can become.
Outsourcing Chores
Perhaps the easiest job belongs to the kid whose job it was to sit on the training potty. Sure, she MIGHT have to eventually use the potty, but why do that when you can just outsource it to your trusted sidekick?
Clearly this toddler doesn't understand this assignment, but you can't say she's not resourceful.
No, Me!
Yet another great argument brought to you by the toddlers of this household. Perhaps they've always dreamed of being a ghostbuster, to show up and save the day.
Or maybe they've decided that calling the ghostbusters was a much more heroic deed and weren't going to let that chance slip on by.
I'm a Grown-Up
Being an adult may involve cumbersome tasks like doing your taxes and cleaning up after your self when you've broken glass, but for this toddler it means freedom to touch sharp objects.
Who are we to get in the way of her preconceived notion of adulthood? Not her mother, that's who.
A Scary Place
It's cute you thought that movie about Zombies was scary. You know what might be a little scarier? The secret life of a young child.
Nothing hits the spot like a good ol' maniacal scene, and this colorful alphabet splashed up against a ravenous gang of scribbles. Good luck trying to decipher this!
Candy Pizza
What kind of pizza do you want? It's a simple, common question that most pizza-loving people don't give nearly enough thought, usually tossing off a halfhearted "pepperoni, I guess."
But this 3 year old knew exactly what she wanted and she wasn't afraid of judgement. You go girl!
While on Vacation
For such a seemingly simple concept, vacations take on a convoluted story when they're done with kids. Forget those chores and responsibilities waiting for you at home, because you'll have fresh ones to deal with while your on holiday.
For this family, vacation looks like cleaning up Frosted Flakes every morning with plenty of soul-sweetening natural beauty to miss while your occupied with your nearest and dearest.
Fireworks
No matter how close the TV brings you to the action on the field, there're some things the cameras and mics can't quite capture, like the deafening scorch of fireworks, that feeling you might die at any moment.
This can only come from the palpable excitement of having kids. Sometimes you just have to be there in person.
Suspect Evidence
This plastic shovel, which obviously comes from a kids play set, was found in the laundry machine after a wash. Nobody knows how it got there, but we're sure kids had something to do with it.
If you have kids you might know what it's like when you find a towel stuffed down a toilet or lego pieces in the air conditioner vent.
Da Vinci
Surfaces can be rather limited when you like painting, so what do you do when you run out of canvases? Do as Da Vinci did and use the wall of course!
Because artists can be notoriously picky about the tools they use in their craft, these parents should feel honored that their little painter used their wall.
Snacks
That moment when kids learn there are more than one snack flavor is the moment you realise you've made a huge mistake.
These days you only really ever encounter these varieties in a gas station, which is why it took two whole hours to choose!
Tattoo Markers
Maybe buying tattoo markers were not the best idea when it came to buying a Christmas present for their daughter.
Sure, they’re explicitly designed to stay on for as long as two weeks, but they never expected her to go this crazy all at once.
Oops
Even celebrities struggle with their kids, that's just how powerful they are, and they know it! This is a pic that Anna Faris shared on her Twitter page of her son, showing just how well potty training is going.
If you're also having issues with your kids, at least you know you're not alone and even the rich and famous struggle sometimes.
From Hero to Zero
From having it all figured out to hoping you don't get peed on! These before and after photo are another reminder that kids might just make your life a little less glamorous.
Hopefully, after reading through our list, you're a bit better prepared to jump in the saddle.
Cute Pic
This little boy thought it'd be funny to sniff his mommy's behind for the photo, yes it's funny. But it's probably mortifying for his mother!
If this photo is any indication, we'd take a bet that he’s gonna be a handful, this is just the beginning... His mom doesn't seem particularly pleased with this new arrangement.
Rules Are Lame
While we would never promote eating while watching TV, there's a good reason they let you buy snacks at the movie theater, it's just so comforting to nibble on something while you're watching a film on the big screen.
This is probably why his mom had to enforce strict rules about eating in the living room, but kids are more clever than we give them credit for...