It's summertime and the living's easy. If you believe that old song lyric, clearly, you're not a mom. Once summer vacation hits full swing, you begin to realize that that phrase just may be the ultimate oxymoron. The kids are delighted to be out of school (for the first five seconds), but now you find yourself as the de facto short-order cook, chauffeur, and veritable cruise director of their days.
If there's some good news here, it's that you're not alone. Parents everywhere are feeling it and sharing their hilarious insights on social media. Take a look, have a laugh, and revel in the old misery-loves-company vibe. Happy summer!
Image via @SJSteffey/Twitter
"I'm Bored"
If parents had a nickel for every time they heard this phrase, they could take the whole family to Disney for a week. World Hopper Passes for everyone!
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Mom, Why's the Fridge Empty?
Wait, didn't you just grocery shop yesterday? Were you burglarized and all that was stolen was food? That's sure what it looks like, but in reality, it's just your kids! Is it too late to grow a garden and ask them to graze?
Science Class...at Home
If you put the proper spin on it, you may be able to accomplish a couple of things at once — entertain the kids and get a little housework done. It's not going to be any easy sell, we won't lie to you, but, hey, you've got nothing else to do, so give it a shot.
Fencing With Spatulas
Perhaps this guy is attempting to start his own Olympic sport this summer? Kitchen utensil fencing could take Rio by storm — but probably not. Hey, at least he's left the knives alone.
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Raising Vampires
Uh-oh, sounds like this mom is on the teen side of parenting. We wish her the best. Much like newborns, teenagers — particularly during the summer — have their days and nights mixed up. And they have a tendency to be cranky and hungry quite a bit too. Think of those infant days as prep work for these later years.
Wild Weekends
Summertime used to be mean partying with friends — especially on the weekends. But when you're parent, Saturdays and Sundays may be the only time you have a moment to catch up or enjoy a little family time. Summer nights might not be as exciting as they once were, but, hey, you're making sweet memories.
Alone Time
Only a mom who's been home all day with her brood can appreciate the splendor of shopping alone. Even if it's just for groceries, these solo sojourns can restore your peace of mind — even if it's just temporarily.
Road Trip, Anyone?
A mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do, and if that includes auto maintenance, so be it. Not all outings can be as thrilling as trip to a waterpark, but running errands is a part of life. And, frankly, this little guy doesn't seem to mind one bit.
Bring Your Own Lifeguard
Between swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, goggles, and — wait, what else are we forgetting — prepping for a day at the pool or beach is no picnic. You may find yourself wondering if it's all worth it. Once you see the big smiles on your swimmers' faces, you'll know it was.
Summer Vacation Is a Cruel Prank
It sounds so relaxing, doesn't it? But if you're a parent, you know the intrinsic level of difficulty that keeping kids entertained entails. The best you can hope for is a little respite during an afternoon nap.
Sleeping In? Not So Much
Isn't that always the way? On a school day, kids appear exhausted and it breaks your heart to wake them from a sound sleep. But during vacation, somehow those internal alarm clocks are on a pre-dawn setting.
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"Shut the Door!" Say and Repeat
If only someone would put those screen doors on a remote. Why is it that when it comes to closing doors, it's as if kids have complete and utter amnesia? Then they have the nerve to wonder how those flies got in the house!
The Sleep Equation
It's true. You could put a toddler to bed two hours later than usual while you're on vacation and he'll still get up with the roosters. Worst of all, he'll seem completely refreshed — until he doesn't. And then all hell will break loose.
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Pass the Wine
Pass the wine. Have sweeter words ever been uttered by the end of a long day? This mom is on to something. As long as a trip to the ER isn't required, just keep playing, kids. Summer is long!
