8 (Almost) Legit Parenting Hacks Inspired by Animals

Animals have been around a lot longer than we have, so it's natural to look to them for inspiration when trying to figure out how to raise our young.

Sure, sure, things in the animal kingdom are a teeny bit different than the average nursery, and human babies are born pretty darn helpless compared to their furry counterparts. But that's not to say we can't learn a thing or two from our animal brethren! Who doesn't want to live more instinctually? More simply? More...uh, covered in spit?

Here are 8 almost legit (but mostly illegal) parenting hacks inspired by animals, hilariously illustrated by Rachel Deutsch.

Humorous illustration of mom hiding behind kid waiting to be spoon fed with text, "sneak your kid into another family for a free meal like a cuckoo bird."

Eat like a bird

We can probably all agree that one of the most tedious parts of parenthood is cooking. Why not just pawn your kid off on another family here and there?

Black and white illustration of mom pushing giant meatball with text, "save on cooking time by acting like a dung beetle. Amass a month's worth of food, smush it into a ball, and roll it into the nursery."

Your way out of kitchen doody... I mean duty

Gross? Maybe. But it's kind of like a giant multi-flavored meatball. Will you bite into cereal or lasagna or celery? The suspense! But also: no cooking, which is a definite win.

Black and white humorous illustration of mom crouched in road with baby in her mouth with text, "learn from alligators, stuff your kids into your mouth to protect against danger."

See you later, alligator

What's safer than a small dark hole surrounded by sharp pointy objects designed to shred flesh? Makes perfect sense to me.

Black and white humorous illustration of mom licking baby's head with text, "when low on soap, bathe baby with your tongue."

Bring back the spit bath

Cats do it and cats are probably the smartest animals in the whole animal kingdom. Except those cats who are afraid of cucumbers and the other cats that get stuck on piano keys and those OTHER other cats that fall into fish tanks while they're sleeping and you know what? Nevermind.

Black and white humorous illustration of dad bathing baby with feet while eating an ice cream cone with text, "mimic water bug fathers: use your legs to clean baby and free up valuable hand time."

Improve your footwork

What are feet except long inflexible hands with stumpy smelly fingers? Put. Those. Puppies. To. Work.

Black and white image of two men holding a baby with text, "Tamarin monkeys often transfer childcare duties to the father and a male "friend" hmm....seems nice."

Find your village (people)

Hey, the more the merrier. Baby will love the extra attention and you get a break. A win-win.

Black and white illustration of woman floating on her back in the water with text "like penguin moms, spend some solo time at sea."

Wash away your worries

"The sea cures all ailments of man." - Plato

"You heard the man. We outta here!" - Penguin moms

Black and white illustration showing woman laying on floor with text "If one day you just give up, remember than velvet spider mothers let their children eat them."

Mommy's Little Cannibal

Honestly, everyone in this situation would feel better if you just ordered some Grub Hub and put on a movie.

Animals! Such inspirational creatures!

As you can see, there's much to learn from our animal friends... and most of it is what NOT to do when raising human young. But it does feel good to laugh about it together while we all collectively put off cooking dinner again, right?