50 Of The Funniest Things Parents Posted In 2021

Such amusing moments can become simply priceless at this time of year.

Vicki Broadbent, an award-winning filmmaker and blogger at Honest Mum who is also the author of bestselling book MUMBOSS: How to Survive and Thrive At Work and At Home, told Bored Panda in an earlier interview that parents often burn out during the holidays because they place far too much pressure on themselves to create the perfect Christmas and New Year for their kids—which can be unrealistic at best and damaging and draining at worst.

"While conjuring up a festive family dream is wonderful in theory and comes with good intention, from a place of love, it can become a huge strain for parents both mentally and financially," Broadbent said. "Debt is not just for Christmas, folks, it rolls on all year long, particularly when you overspend. Live within your means and that means on the Big Day too. The anxiety to keep up with the Joneses seems tenfold now that we're bombarded with everyone else's festive prep on our timelines, be it the ever-more-elaborate mischievous set-ups every year of that swine, Elf on the Shelf to virtual Santa visits and, worst of all, mountainous piles of presents in some sort of matching wrapping paper present Olympics by parents with their peers."

Broadbent thinks parents should ignore what they see on social media and remind themselves that children remember the quality time with their parents over the holidays more than anything (ideally, rested and relaxed, not frazzled parents).

"Think back to what you recall fondly from your own Christmases past in childhood... I'd put money on you remembering a few key Christmas gifts (me, a Cabbage Patch Kid I still own); decorating the tree, laying out the mince pie and carrot for Santa, and forcing your merry mum to watch Miracle on 34th Street for the millionth time with you."

Some holiday traditions depend on kids being on their best behavior. But lengthy services, parties with lots of strangers, and elaborate meals can quickly exhaust them.

Try to keep those to a minimum and customize festivities for your kids' frustration level; don't schedule one demanding event after another, and make sure to include physical activity and plenty of downtime. As you can see from the pictures, both you and your kids will probably just benefit from allowing them to be, well, kids!