Mike Julianelle, 41, is a Brooklyn-based dad to two boys (ages 7 and 2), and the writer of the blog Dad and Buried.
A couple years ago, Julianelle started an Instagram account called Got Toddlered. "The account was originally dedicated to the memes I made, which showed examples of things children have destroyed or irrevocably altered," Julianne said.
But after Julianelle posted this side-by-side of himself before and after having kids, a reader suggested he ask for submissions from other readers. He did, and the account immediately took off.
Thanks to "before and after kids" photos like this one...
This one...
This one...
And definitely this one, Got Toddlered has garnered national media exposure and accumulated almost 33k followers.
Much of the account's popularity can be attributed to how the photos hilariously capture just how much your life changes after having kids.
Like, things change.
A LOT.
And after kids, you're tired.
Like, RURL tired.
ZZZZZZZZZZ.
Julianelle says the reaction to the account has been overwhelmingly positive, adding, "Some people have even messaged me to tell me I’ve made them feel OK about their own lives! Solidarity!"
And while some people have been offended, Julianelle says, "Most people can tell it’s just for a laugh."
Overall, Julianelle says he hopes the account "gives people a laugh or too — and a feeling of solidarity."
"Parenting is hard, but it’s not exactly rare. We don’t all do everything the same but we share a lot of the same experiences. We should focus on those instead of judging the differences."
"And we should laugh about the parenting experience, or it will drive us insane."
