The coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented. Not only did it cause a worldwide shutdown, but five months later, the US is still trying to get things under control. And for most states in the country, that means figuring out the safest way to handle the upcoming school year. We've seen some wrong ways to handle it, least of which is not allowing kids to wear PJs while learning at home, but no one really has the magic answer. That's where the memes come in.
Whether parents decide to send their kid to school, or homeschool them, or allow them to take the school's virtual learning classes, one thing is for certain: It's not going to be easy. Routines will change and parents will bear the brunt of it all. They'll have to change work schedules or even learn how to homeschool. Thankfully, we have hilarious yet truthful memes to speak to every parent's frustration in a deep way and help us get through it. Or at least attempt to. We've rounded up some of the most accurate and funny ones we could find.
We Didn't Sign Up for This
Sure, when people decide to have kids, they expect (or should expect) late-night feedings, diaper blow outs, and tantrums. But having to homeschool while trying to take care of their lives at the same time during a global pandemic? Nope.
The New Back-To-School Photo
Sometimes in desperate and wild times, humor is the best way to process what's happening. And imagining kids' first-day of school photos during COVID-19 as them in hazmat suits is just one way to lighten up the whole thing.
Ah, Good Ol' Nostalgia
Philosophies for raising kids change with each decade, but parents who grew up in the '90s, or people who were parents in the '90s know that it was much easier to leave kids alone. Now, not so much. Especially during quarantine.
The New 'Teaching' Uniform
If kids have special hazmat suits in memes, then so do teachers. Sadly, this isn't so far-fetched from what the future may hold if teachers need to protect themselves while being forced to come into work.
On the Bright Side, Cheaper School Photos!
As always, it's helpful to look for the silver lining in crappy situations, and some parents who hate those expensive picture day booklets might rejoice at the ease of this year's picture day. We can take our pick from all the backgrounds in the house.
In-Person, Virtual, or Hybrid?
Seriously, deciding what to do about school is not an easy decision. No doubt parents are feeling like Ariel in The Little Mermaid about to sign their lives away with not a clue what is actually to come this fall. Fun!
Can a Mask Contain That?
Anyone who thinks kids will be able to keep their germs to themselves, or heck, even contained to a mask, has clearly never met a kid. See this photo? That's exactly what they look like when coughing.
New Game: Is My Cough From Yelling or COVID?
Speaking of coughing, parents have this fun new game called "Is my sore throat from yelling or coughing from COVID?" Because many parents will have their kids at home this semester, there may be more of this game.
How Bad Can Virtual Learning Be?
This person has a point. Sure, it's anxiety-inducing to think of kids missing a significant amount of school time and one-on-one interactions with peers, but then again, some people into MLMs had all that and still ended up involved.
Yay! Another Semester of This Stuff
See this photo? That's the look that parents gave at the beginning of quarantine, and it's the look they will give for the duration of this virtual learning, homeschool semester. Common Core our butts.
Cold, Hard Truths
A lot of parents these days are all about the wine, and add COVID-19 stress to that? Even worse. This meme is meant to be funny but don't think about it too long, because it's actually kinda true. *Shrugs*
Every Day Is Pajama Day!
When in the homeschool world, changing into real clothes is basically a foreign concept or a science experiment. To achieve such an act is to master the art of parenting crowning achievement. JK, it's weird, PJs are totally fine.
It's Getting Serious When the PJs Come Out!
Other parents on the other hand have already let go of the real clothing world and embraced the life of a constant PJ-wearer, for themselves and the family. Some even buy new PJs that are different than the night PJs.
COVID Be Like: Everyone Gets to Homeschool!!
Remember when the only thing everybody got (from Oprah at least) was a new car? Now everyone gets to homeschool! Not the nationwide prize anyone wanted or needed, but that's what COVID-19 is dishing.
Kids & Zoom Just Don't Go Together
Honestly, teaching kids how to be taught on Zoom, or simply behave on Zoom, should be a class in itself. And it takes double the effort for the little ones. A parent or adult on one end and the person doing the teaching on the other.
Seriously, What Is the Plan?
Everyone needs to admit that no one has any idea what the frack is going on. No one alive has really ever lived through a pandemic before, much less parented or taught through one. Still, that doesn't make the million and one emails any easier.
Team Snack Server!
Mama is just as thrilled about continuing virtual learning through the next few months as the kids are. And that is not too thrilled at all. Yay being both a teacher, parent, nurse, and snack server!
Please Work With Me!
Stay-at-home moms and working-at-home and homeschooling moms are all in a really, uh, interesting, situation. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: For our kids to just be kind, because what the hell.
How Is the School Year Even Here?
There has never been a more accurate depiction of parents' feelings over the last few months. First there was shock, then acceptance, and now just confusion. And the school year hasn't even started yet. Lord help us all.
A Catch-22
There is no way out. No matter what parents choose, there is no doubt that it will be stressful. Hmmm, seems to be a trend in the parenting world. So let's be kind to one another shall we? And keep sharing memes.