Working Dad Makes the Case for Splitting Overnight Parent Duties

It’s 2024, and we aren’t settling for outdated sentiments about what’s Mom’s and what’s Dad’s job when it comes to parenting. Equal partnerships mean a better experience not only for Moms who have borne the brunt of parenting duties in the past but also for Dads who get to bond and be more involved in baby’s biggest moments. During those first few months when baby requires around-the-clock care, a team approach is needed more than ever.

In a now-viral TikTok, Neil Shyminsky, also known as @professorneil explains why he and all Dads should insist on splitting overnight parenting duties with their partner, no matter what your work schedule looks like. Recording himself whispering in a dark nursery, the new dad explains that it’s currently 2AM and he’ll be “on call for another two hours or so” before switching duties with his wife.

Shyminsky goes on to say that this teamwork tag-in considers the fact that both parents need sleep for the job they have in store the next day. “I’m still working full-time at my job. She’s on parental leave, which means I work full-time and she also works full-time,” he says, dismissing those who see parental leave as a vacation.

“So, I might have to work a full day on four hours of really awful sleep, but I mean, what’s the alternative? That she has to work a full day on none? Parenting’s work. Parenting’s labor. Stay-at-home parents work. I have no idea why we are still having this argument. Yeah, I can’t figure it out there.”

In the comments, parents chimed in with praise and echoed Shyminsky’s sentiment that nighttime feeds, soothing and general parental duties should be equally split. “We gotta stop pretending every husband is working a 80-hour week hard labor job where it’s some safety issue if he’s tired. That’s not the case for the majority of the population. He’ll be ok of he’s sleepy at work,” wrote one parent.

“I’ve been sleep deprived looking after a screaming baby and I’ve been sleep deprived sitting at my computer working in a office, and I know which one I’d pick every time. Being tired with a baby is much harder,” added another mom. “We are all working!” Paige Turner, whose post inspired the video, chimed in.

No matter your gender, family style or parenting situation we can all agree that parents of new little ones could use some help, especially in those first few sleep-deprived weeks. If you or someone you know is finding their way through, check out these tips for surviving the new parent sleep deprivation. And remember, this, too, will pass soon enough!