Clarke Gayford's 4am tweet hilariously sums up parenting

Babies don't play by the rules, including Neve. Photo / NZ Herald

In case you missed it: This was one of the Herald's top stories on social media this week.

Every parent has been there. The sleepless nights, vomiting babies, crappy nappies and the urge to pull your own hair out in frustration.

Babies don't play by the rules.

Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford's daughter Neve might be the "first baby" of New Zealand, but she appears no different.

So when Gayford was up at 4am trying to get Neve to nod off, he took to Twitter to share how much precision there is in putting a baby to sleep.

And the result is a sense of achievement and relief shared by every parent on the planet.

"Ah yes of course it was the 2 finger bum tap while rocking just off 180 degrees with light on dim and white noise rolling waves on beach not waves on rocks mind you, and only if turned to the east. That. finally. induced. sleep," he wrote.

"It seems so obvious now as I lay here SO AWAKE."

Ah yes of course it was the 2 finger bum tap while rocking just off 180 degrees with light on dim and white noise rolling waves on beach not waves on rocks mind you, and only if turned to the east.
That. finally. induced. sleep.
It seems so obvious now as i lay here SO AWAKE👀

— Clarke Gayford (@NZClarke) August 17, 2018

But instead of being hit with shaming comments, the serial night-owl twitter users showered Gayford with love and understanding, making for an entertaining thread.

Trying to work out what works: pic.twitter.com/SQgqIjI0Rt

— Jo (@phdwahine) August 18, 2018

While many sympathised with Neve's dad, some said to enjoy parenthood before the kids turn into teen terrors.

"Look before you know it she'll be 15 and you'll be lying there wide awake wishing a 2 figured bum tap and some wave noise would fix the bad moods and cell phone addiction," one person wrote.

Look before you know it she'll be 15 and you'll be lying there wide awake wishing a 2 figured bum tap and some wave noise would fix the bad moods and cell phone addiction #sigh #suchjoystocome 😲#currentlyfailingatparenting

— Katherine Curran (@babalonsister) August 18, 2018

"Ahh parenthood, I remember those days well. Now they just eat all the food in the house and complain about the wifi."

Ahh parenthood, I remember those days well. Now they just eat all the food in the house and complain about the wifi

— Bazz (@bazfromtaz) August 17, 2018

Another said: "Thanks for sharing this. Before you know it you'll be awake at 4am worried about why she hasn't come home yet...."

It gets easier

Narrator: it does not get easier

Ok but you get used to it

Narrator: you do not get used to it

— Nick Ruvinetti (@NRuvinetti) August 18, 2018

Parenting mantra ‘This too shall pass... Painfully, like a gallstone, but it will pass’ it’s helped me through innumerable all-nighters.

— 💧Ruth Josif (@RuthJosif) August 17, 2018

Even former Prime Minister Helen Clark weighed in on Clarke's frustration saying: "Love all the encouragement and advice you are getting. LOL"

Love all the encouragement and advice you are getting 🌺🌺. LOL

— Helen Clark (@HelenClarkNZ) August 18, 2018

Gayford's tweet has been liked more than 1600 times.