What Busy Parents With ‘Their Hands Full’ Need to Hear

Parents today juggle countless responsibilities. Between work, family, and rising expectations to go above and beyond, just managing day-to-day can often feel overwhelming. It’s natural to want to sympathize when you see a parent and acknowledge their hard work. But comments like “you’ve got your hands full” can sometimes leave parents feeling more hurt than supported.

In a now-viral TikTok, mom of three Stephanie (@stephmorrison) reveals the simple phrase switchup that made her feel optimistic where others might fall short. “The sweetest thing just happened,” she shares in her video. “I was just finishing my walk, and we were just pulling down our street. This old man, he stopped so we could walk by because we’ve got the double-wide stroller that takes up the whole space, and he goes, ‘Wow! You’re going to have a lot of fun.’”

“I don’t know why I’m getting emotional telling you now,” she added. “But most people say ‘You’ve got your hands full’ and it’s my biggest pet peeve, but he was so sweet and I could, like, see the memories flash through his eyeballs as he said that to me: ‘You’re going to have a lot of fun.’

“Like, dang! That’s the type of vibe and energy I’m going to bring to motherhood. I was having a really great time with the kids already so I don’t know why I’m crying telling you this. But if you’re a mother out there, I hope you’re having a lot of fun, too, because why not?”

In the comments, parents applauded the older generation’s outlook. “An older man in the grocery store stopped me when my son was 8 months old and said, ‘Young enough to still talk to the angels, put in a good word for me!’” one parent shared. Another added, “My only son is 7 months. I can’t have any more kids due to life-threatening complications at birth. The other day, a man said to me, “he gets to have you all to himself, isn’t that so special?” I cried.” Others thanked Stephanie for the perspective shift: “As an overstimulated single momma of two, thank you for shifting my perspective.” Stephanie simply replied: “Have some fun today!”

For parents who often hear well-meaning but sometimes exhausting comments about how much they have on their plate, this simple, positive twist feels refreshing. If you could use a little positive reframing in your life, check out these 20 Positive Parenting Affirmations to Boost Your Mental Health.