My kids told me they wished I didn’t exist, and those words cut deeper than anything I’d ever heard. They were angry, careless—but I decided to take their wish seriously. I vanished from their lives, leaving no trace. It was time they learned what life would be like without Mom.
I’d heard it countless times—people saying housewives had it easy. They stayed home, relaxed, and lived off their husbands’ hard work. What a joke!
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Let me tell you, my being a stay-at-home mom wasn’t just a job; it was an endless marathon with no breaks. My days were a blur of cleaning, cooking, managing tantrums, and juggling a thousand other things.
Tom, my sweet but stubborn five-year-old, was at that age where every little thing was a battle.
Eliza, on the other hand, was teetering on the edge of her pre-teen years—full of sass and mood swings.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
And my husband, Justin? He thought his paycheck excused him from everything else. It was exhausting.
That evening, as usual, we sat down for dinner together. Sharing our day had become a routine, though it often came with surprises.
I looked at Tom, who was already playing with his peas. “Tom, how was preschool today?” I asked, trying to sound cheerful.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He shrugged. “It was okay, but Miss Jackson might call you tomorrow.”
That caught my attention. “Why would she call me?” I asked, putting down my fork.
“I just wanted to pet a dog outside, but Miss Jackson said you shouldn’t touch stray dogs because they can have rab—rabai—” Tom paused, frowning.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Rabies,” Eliza said with an exaggerated eye roll.
Tom nodded. “Yeah, rabies.”
I leaned forward. “And why does that mean she might call me?”
Tom hesitated, then blurted, “Well, I didn’t like what she said, so I bit her.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I stared at him, shocked. “You bit your teacher?” My voice rose without meaning to.
Tom nodded, completely unbothered. “She said rabies spreads by bites. I wanted to show her.”
“Mom, you gave birth to a lunatic,” Eliza muttered, smirking.
“Don’t talk about your brother like that,” I said firmly. Then I turned to Justin, who was busy eating. “Justin, do you have anything to say about this?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He glanced up briefly. “You’re handling it great, honey,” he said, patting my hand.
I sighed, turning back to Tom. “Tom, we’ve talked about this. You can’t bite people. It hurts, and it’s wrong. Next time, use words to express how you feel.”
Finally, I faced Eliza. “How was your day?”
“Fine,” she said, barely looking up.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“That’s all?” I asked.
“Oh, I’m sleeping over at Nancy’s tomorrow, remember?” she added casually.
“Yes, I remember,” I said, feeling my energy drain.
The next day started badly and only got worse. When I went into Tom’s room to check if he had cleaned up like I’d asked, it looked like a tornado had hit it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Toys, clothes, and books were everywhere. I felt my patience slipping, but there wasn’t time to deal with it.
I had to apologize to Miss Jackson for Tom biting her, which was embarrassing enough.
Then, as I finally sat down to breathe, the phone rang. Eliza’s school informed me she had skipped classes. My anger boiled over. By the time they got home, I was ready for a serious talk.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Wait, both of you, stop right there,” I said as Tom and Eliza headed to their rooms. My voice made them freeze.
“What is it now?” Eliza asked, sounding irritated.
“Let’s start with Tom,” I said, turning to him. “I saw your room. It’s a disaster. We agreed that if you didn’t keep it clean, I’d take away your games. So, your console is mine until you show me you can keep your room tidy.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Tom’s eyes went wide. “What? No! That’s not fair!” he yelled, crossing his arms.
Eliza smirked. “Nice job, Tom,” she said with a mocking tone.
“I wouldn’t laugh if I were you, young lady,” I snapped. “I got a call from your school today. They told me you skipped class.”
“It was one time! Just one!” Eliza shouted, her face red with anger.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“You’re grounded for a week,” I said firmly. “No sleepover at Nancy’s.”
“You can’t do this! ‘’ve been planning that forever!” Eliza screamed, clenching her fists.
“Then you shouldn’t have skipped class,” I replied calmly.
“I hate you! I wish you didn’t exist!” she yelled before stomping off to her room and slamming the door.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Yeah! Me too!” Tom shouted, running to his own room.
I stood there, tears welling up. My chest felt heavy, but I swallowed the lump in my throat.
When Justin got home, I recounted everything. He listened quietly, barely responding.
“Well?” I asked, desperate for some support.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Maybe you were too hard on them,” he said, shrugging. “They’re just kids.”
“Did you hear me? Did you hear what Eliza said to me?” I asked, my voice shaking with anger.
“She didn’t mean it,” he said, brushing it off.
“I’ve had enough,” I said, my voice cold. “I’ll show them what it’s like when I’m not here.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“What are you talking about?” Justin asked, confused.
“You’ll see,” I said and walked away.
That night, as the house lay silent, I began my plan. Justin, always a heavy sleeper, didn’t stir once.
I moved quietly, gathering every single thing that was mine—clothes from the closet, photos from the walls, notebooks from the desk.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Even my favorite mug, the one I used every morning, went into a box. I left no sign that I had ever been there.
With everything packed, I carried it all up to the attic. The attic was dusty and cramped, but I set up a mattress in the corner, arranging a small lamp and a blanket. Justin wouldn’t think to look here; he barely remembered the attic existed.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Before settling in, I set up cameras in the kitchen and living room. I needed to see how they managed without me. This was only the beginning.
The next morning, I watched them from the camera feed as they stood in the kitchen, looking lost.
“Where’s Mom?” Tom asked, his voice unsure.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I don’t know,” Eliza said, glancing around. “But even her pictures are gone. The ones on the wall, too.”
“Her clothes aren’t in the closet,” Justin added, scratching his head.
Tom’s eyes widened. “Did our wish come true? Did Mom really disappear?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Justin said, shaking his head.
“But she’s really gone!” Eliza insisted. “Her stuff isn’t here. There’s no sign of her at all.”
Justin pulled out his phone. “I’ll call her. This is probably some kind of joke.” But I had turned my phone off. He stared at the screen for a moment before putting it back in his pocket.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Okay, let’s go,” he said, sounding annoyed. “I’ll drop you off at school. We’ll figure this out later.”
Eliza hesitated. “Can I still go to Nancy’s sleepover?”
“Yes, yes. Just get in the car,” Justin said impatiently.
“Yes!” Eliza cheered. Then she grinned. “Maybe it’s better this way. Mom was always on my case anyway.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“That means I can play video games!” Tom shouted, jumping up.
I felt my chest tighten. My heart ached as I watched them. They didn’t miss me; they seemed relieved. They were happy I was gone.
That evening, I watched from the camera as Justin and Tom sat on the couch, laughing and playing video games.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
A pizza box sat open on the coffee table, grease stains already soaking into the cardboard.
I noticed Tom eating a big slice loaded with cheese. My stomach tightened. He was lactose intolerant. Justin, distracted by the game, had clearly forgotten.
The next morning, my fears were confirmed. Tom was curled up on the couch, pale and groaning.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Justin scrambled to find medicine, muttering under his breath. He ended up staying home from work, trying to comfort Tom while also cleaning up the mess.
By the third day, chaos ruled. Dishes piled up in the sink, laundry was untouched, and the kids left for school with nothing but dry cereal in their hands.
That evening, Tom sat crying on the couch, overwhelmed. Even Eliza, who usually stayed distant, looked defeated. Her hair was a mess as she clutched her empty lunchbox.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I miss Mom,” Tom finally said, looking up at Justin. His little face was streaked with tears, and his lip trembled.
“Me too,” Eliza added, her voice quieter than usual. She looked down at her hands. “I got my period today, and I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to call Mom so bad, but I couldn’t. It made me feel awful.”
Justin sighed, leaning back on the couch. “I think this is because of what you both said. You told her you didn’t want her to exist. Now she’s showing you what that feels like.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“But that’s not true!” Eliza said, her voice cracking. Tears filled her eyes. “I was just mad. I didn’t mean it. I’m so stupid for saying that.”
Tom sniffled loudly. “I want Mom to come back. I’ll clean my room every day. I won’t bite anyone ever again. I promise.”
Eliza wiped her face and nodded. “I’ll stop yelling at her. I’ll listen better. I can’t live without her. I miss her so much,” she said, sobbing.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Hearing their words broke the last bit of resolve I had. I stepped out of the shadows, standing in the doorway. “I hope you’ve learned your lesson,” I said, my voice firm but full of emotion.
They turned to me in shock before running into my arms. “Mom! You’re back!” they cried, hugging me tightly.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Really, it’s so good to see you,” Justin said, standing and walking over. “These past few days have shown me what a monumental job you do. I’ll try to make things easier for you from now on.”
“Thank you,” I said, my voice soft.
“No, thank you, for everything,” Justin replied.
“Thank you, Mom! We love you so much!” the kids said together, holding on tight.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
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Use these 10 Amazon best sellers to solve icky problems
Need solutions to those pesky, unpleasant problems that seem to pop up at the worst times? Here they are! These gems have been tried and tested by countless satisfied customers. Let’s discover the products that will make life a little smoother.
1. This little silicone drain protector will effectively catch all the hair while you are showering. And it will hold securely in place due to the weighted stainless steel accent. The product is rust-resistant and long-lasting.
The device is a game-changer for hair clogs. It seamlessly blends with your bathroom decor. This little thing will considerably upgrade your shower routine.
Promising review:
- I love this drain protector! I moved and had to find a new drain catcher that could fit over the plug! I was skeptical because the reviews looked 50/50. But trust me, this is exactly what you need. It catches all of my naturally thick hair! — CurlyGirlFaith
2. Detect and clean all the hidden messes with this awesome UV flashlight. No more blindly cleaning carpets and furniture. The superb aluminum construction features a non-slip textured grip. The lighting time is impressive — the device can work up to 20 hours.
This product can also cover larger areas without weakening the light. It will make finding those hidden stains a breeze.
Promising review:
- Do you suspect your carpet has been violated? Don’t buy it if you don’t actually want to know. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. You can’t go back and unsee it, and the glow will be burned into your memory. I will preface this because you know you’re judging, and I don’t blame you.
This was a very unique set of circumstances, and the carpet will be replaced. I foster kittens for a local shelter, and my most recent crew has tenaciously refused to embrace litter box training, probably because they have a weird addiction to violating carpets.
Regardless, I purchased this light to see if my suspensions were correct, and they were. The little monsters were willy-nilly using the carpet to relieve themselves. This flashlight lit up their transgressions very clearly, and while I felt tearing it out was the appropriate solution, if I had been inspired to clean it, I would have known exactly where I needed to clean it. Hope this helps. — Ann Krummel
3. Check out this dirt-catching, double-layered litter mat! Its bottom layer is waterproof — no liquid will go through. The mat is slip-resistant and easy to move. This product keeps our furry friend’s paws clean and prevents any mess from getting on the floors.
The mat is easily washable and comfortable to maintain. The product is also really soft on paws. Some kitties can also use it to have a nap on.
Promising review:
- We keep our catbox for our 2 cats in the bathroom. There is nothing like stepping on little pieces of cat litter on the bathroom floor in the middle of the night and cleaning the random little pieces of litter all the time!
This mat has solved the problem! Almost no litter makes it to the clean floor now! Easy to empty, too! Great product!!! — Rich R.
4. No more smelly sneakers with these banana shoe deodorizers. They prevent and neutralize odor and absorb moisture. And, like real bananas, they will turn brown over time and use (you can use it as an indicator to replace the pair). Perfect for use after hiking, climbing, or cycling.
These goofy bananas are highly effective and long-lasting. They can last up to 6 to 12 months. The pouch is made out of natural cotton fabric. Each banana is filled with salts, minerals, and plant extracts.
Promising review:
- For someone who likes to commute to the city lightly, I usually don’t wear socks when it is extremely hot and humid during the summer days. I’d get home, and of course, my sneakers would reek from a day out!
These shoe deodorizers have saved the day by keeping my sneakers smelling great. I place them as soon as I get home. I usually leave them alone until the next day when going out, and the results are amazing! Smells great. — Neftali
5. Now you can keep your hand out of the toilet while cleaning it! Just use this stone toilet bowl cleaner. It has a long handle made from stainless steel and plastic. The pumice is 100% natural.
The product will serve you for a long time. Don’t forget to rinse the stone thoroughly every time. Easily stored.
Promising review:
- We live in an older home in an area with hard water. Our white toilets end up with a discolored deposit around the water line. Every few months, I would take a pumice stone and scrub them out. I hated getting my hand in the toilet water. This pumice stone wand allows me to scrub out the discoloration without getting my hand wet!
It works really well, but as all pumice stones wear away as they’re being used, the small size of the stones means they won’t last long. It comes with 8 stones, so that will still get me a lot of use. If you want to keep your hands out of the water, then this is a good buy. If you want to save some money and don’t mind getting your hands wet, then just buy a pumice stone. — Gypsy Blue
6. Keep your breath minty fresh with this oral care mist. The product features a sugar-free formula that doesn’t just mask the odor but solves the problem.
The mist actually kills bacteria causing bad breath. The packaging is handy and compact. And it is easy to carry the product with you at all times.
Promising review:
- I absolutely love this product and for reference in the picture the packaging looks a little bit weird because I peeled off the stickers, so don’t mind that. The spray is really good to use for bad breath emergencies, but I would not recommend using it all the time. It does make your breath a little bit stinkier in the long run because the alcohol in Listerine dries out your mouth. But overall, I definitely recommend this for emergencies. — Estelle
7. You’ll have no problems with chafing and blisters while using this all-natural solution. It can restore dry or cracked hands, feet, and faces too. The product goes on easily and works like a charm! The size is perfect for traveling.
The product contains coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, and vitamin E oil. It is suitable for sensitive skin. It is also child-safe and is not tested on animals.
Promising review:
- The product is the perfect size to travel with or put in a pocket. Goes on easily and works like a charm. No problems with chafing while using this product. Great value for the cost.
There is a slight smell but to be honest, it’s very mild (have to hold up to my nose to smell it) and it’s not a bad smell. Would buy over and over again. I use this 2–3 times a week. — Christen Tasevski
8. This odor remover is safe to use around pets and children (although you should still make sure no one tries to taste it). You can comfortably use it on any surface: rugs, walls, floors, etc. The unique non-enzymatic formula doesn’t mask the problem but eliminates it.
And it can even help prevent the pet from returning to the spot! Warning: Make sure no one swallows it.
Promising review:
- Used as directed. Worked very well, still not entirely sure about the scent. It’s okay, but not super fond of scent. Getting used to it, though.
Does smell slightly like Christmas, as other people have said. A little pricey, but goes a long way. — Mary McMullen
9. Another perfect way to prevent clogging your pipes. This set of 2 rust-proof hair drain catchers will serve you for a long time. Each piece is extremely durable and features silicone edging. It makes the product stay safely in place, which is very handy.
The product is simple yet effective. This little thing will save you a ton of money on plumber visits. It is easy to clean; you can just use a simple tissue.
Promising review:
- I wish I would have gotten these a couple of months earlier than I did. These covers fit perfectly on both of my shower drains and really do help keep hair from going into my drains! So far, they have stayed secure with the good rubber outer ring and cover the whole drain without moving when you step on it or have the shower flowing onto it. I will be helping my plumbing by not having to clean the drains so much now. I recommend these covers. — natalie
10. Keep your shower clean with just one swipe using this wall-mounting shower hair catcher! And here is a cute pointy-eared design for all cat lovers. This product will effectively trap your hair and prevent pipe clogging.
This product is super easy to install and use. Spend less time on cleaning your shower and more time on something else.
Promising reviews:
- This thing has saved sooo many little arguments about my hair being left on the shower wall! It’s easy to use & has a strong grip! — Melissa Riggins
- Super easy to install and use. I was finding that my drain was clogging up a lot, so I figured I would give this a try. Love it! — Victoria
Buy the 1st item on AMAZON here
Buy the 2nd item on AMAZON here
We hope you like our picks and will enjoy using these products. They have all the potential to make life a walk in the park. Remember, sometimes the simplest solutions to daily struggles are the best.
Bright Side gets commissions for purchases made through the links in this post. Reviews could have been edited for length and clarity. The prices and discounts displayed in this article may change without further notice.
Preview photo credit Ann Krummel / Amazon, Kelsey / Amazon
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