Being a mother is a wonderful experience, filled with moments of priceless joy and happiness. Children’s laughter, hugs and small everyday victories make motherhood deeply rewarding. However, this dazzling reality can often mask another, darker side of parenting.
Behind the smiles sometimes hides exhaustion, anxiety and the pressure to meet often unrealistic expectations. Many mothers feel overwhelmed by household chores, lack of sleep and the emotional challenges of motherhood, especially during the postpartum period. On her Tik Tok account, Hannah wanted to show this harsh reality. A young mother in the middle of postpartum with her second child, she filmed her apartment. She was surprised to discover 17 dirty diapers everywhere. Alone with her two children for 24 hours, the young woman found herself completely overwhelmed, so much so that she did not see the diapers piling up in her home.
Unsurprisingly, many Internet users were outraged in the comments. “This is not normal…“, “Incomprehensible...” or even “One or two okay, but 17! It’s too much!” Can we read under the video.
But unknowingly, Hannah actually started a major Tik Tok trend.
video/7422421963777477934" data-video-id="7422421963777477934">@hannah_bhiatt OMG seriously so gross #mom #momtok #pregnant #pregnancy #pregnantlife #baby #birth #labor #babvannouncement #momlife #youngmom #momtiktok #toddler #momof2 #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodunfiltered ♬ original sound – hannah_bhiatt
The Tik Tok trend that makes moms feel less guilty
There is no such thing as a perfect mother! Watching Hannah’s video made many moms feel less alone. To thank her but also to reassure her, many of them also filmed difficult moments of their daily lives.
I don’t have 17 dirty diapers, but I don’t remember the last time I showered.
I don’t have 17 dirty diapers, but I cry in my car by myself so my mom and husband don’t see me.
I’m Rachel, mother of two and my 17 diapers, I jumped out of a moving car four days after my C-section because I convinced myself that my son had stopped breathing in the back seat , when in reality, he had just stopped crying.
In one week, more than 15,000 videos were created with the keyword “17diapers”, showing great solidarity between mothers. These shares are more than just testimonials; they remind us that every mother is a human being, with her own challenges and fatigue.
By showing their vulnerability, they help others feel less alone and let them know that these difficult times don’t last forever.
