We’re stuck in the weird zone where coronavirus lockdown regulations are being loosened but we’re still not sure how safe it is to go back to living as usual. But one thing that hasn’t changed much is parenting—it still remains a fun challenge and lots of parents are still spending 24 hours a day, 7 days a week taking care of their munchkins.
Bored Panda has collected the funniest and most interesting parenting tweets of May 2020, so scroll down and have a laugh, dear Pandas. Don’t forget to upvote your faves and let everyone know in the comments what parenting is like during the quarantine for you. If you’re still hungry for some more hilarious parenting posts, check out our lists for April, March, and February.
Bored Panda spoke about pandemic parenting with writer and content creator Samantha Taylor who founded the Walking Outside in Slippers blog. According to the mom-of-two, the coronavirus pandemic greatly affected their family. “My husband and I went from both working full-time out of the home with two kids in school and after-school care to juggling working from home with the kids. I spend part of my time in the office, but my husband is home with the kids all day every weekday trying to be an employee, teacher, and parent all at once,” she said. Scroll down for the rest of our in-depth interview with Samantha who has some great tips for parents!
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“We've gained weight. My husband is exhausted, but there's never much downtime for us and certainly no alone time. We feel too guilty to even make a just-because Target run, so there are fewer outlets for our stress,” Samantha told us how difficult parenting during the quarantine has become.
“Our kids seem to scream even louder and want a snack even more desperately when we jump on work calls. On the bright side, I feel like this situation has pushed us closer together as a family,” the mom-of-two mused about the pros and cons of the lockdown.
“Depending so much on my husband to do most of the childcare and other household chores has made me appreciate him even more. My kids have always been in daycare, even during summer breaks, so they're enjoying a summer break of sorts for the first time ever. They fight a lot, but they also play together and have grown closer,” she said.
“Fortunately, I don't think social distancing has been too difficult for my children. They have each other to play with, and we live in a warm climate so we are able to get outside, hike, and go to the beach,” Samantha explained that their family has plenty of activities to keep them busy.
“My daughter is preschool age and needs lots of attention, which has been difficult for my husband and me as we try to address her needs while also working and homeschooling. I'm looking forward especially to getting her back to kids her age. My 8-year-old son is able to work more independently, and we've let him wear a mask and talk at a distance with the neighborhood kids a few times.”
Samantha pointed out that she’s been thoroughly impressed by her kids and their talents during the pandemic. “They are little YouTube stars in the making with the videos they create on their phones. One windy day I looked out of my backyard window and my son was leaping off a play set with an umbrella over his head, trying to fly like Mary Poppins. I believe a little boredom can lead to real creativity in kids, and adults too!” she said about how creativity can bloom when we’re bored.
I'm getting 30 this year and have been doing it for a long time. Also, I greet every single animal I meet outside. Plus, 3 of my neighbors have cats and I keep staring into their windows to see if cats are there :D
The mom also had some great advice for every single parent out there. “My best advice to other parents during the pandemic is to let go of too many expectations. Prioritize what's most important: sleep, healthy food mixed in with the junk, kids using their brains in some way each day.”
She continued: “Let go of becoming the ‘perfect’ Pinterest parent during this time. If anyone claims to be perfect right now, they're not giving you the whole story. We're all struggling to some degree. I also love the idea of doing kind acts for others, and involving our kids in those actions. It's harder to feel sorry for ourselves when we're focusing on making someone else's day a little brighter.” So remember: doing your best is enough; don’t try to be perfect.
When I was young, there were no Playstations or iPads. We were outside playing and running around. Today I'm an tired, underpayed social worker. I'm letting my sons play computer games all day, lest they become anything like me.
If it's for procreation, they allow it. If it's for pleasure they don't want to know
Bored Panda also previously spoke with parenting expert Dr. Laura Markham from Aha Parenting. She told us that for parents to stay ‘sane’ during the quarantine, it’s best to reduce expectations and focus on the most important things: “Like helping your family stay healthy, supporting your child, and replenishing yourself.”
Markham pointed out that kids are also under a lot of stress, not just parents. The expert suggests that parents learn mindfulness to manage their anxiety, help kids with their conflict resolution skills, and to spend some one-on-one time every day to strengthen the parent-child bond. “You didn't choose this particular marathon. But you're learning something about your own strength and how to support yourself to be your best.”
this is so true. like why the hell do we need to show workings for easy questions?
Our 3 year old nephew called my sister by her first name. When she told him that he better put a handle on her name, he called her Mr. Deborah for over a year. Sarcasm sets in early.
Here's how you do it. let them talk incessantly and just say "uh-huh" every so often. Once in a while listen just enough to repeat something they said.
CHEERIOS ARE DELICIOUS THANK YOU VERY MUCH ESPECIALLY WITH HONEY DRIZZELED ON TOP
Time flies when an attention sucking vortex enters your life. Bless their little hearts.
Now this is one where my own mother puzzled me - she had four children and was always perfectly turned out.
One time my parents told me about a song they liked but I thought it was questionable. I’m never letting them forget it.
Is there really no limit on how many dogs someone can have? Where I live you can only have 2 in residential areas and 3 in rural areas. If you want to own more you need special permission.
I am always listening, I also like to give the kids my phone whenever they ask because they never clear the browser. Last time my daughter was searching "what size tank do you need for two rats" always a riot.
Is it me or does this guys life read like a mrs doubtfire script? I'm having doubts.....
wow, starts early at your place, my 'dad hours' start after 10 pm, but then again, I have teenagers...
Our family iPad doesn’t have a passcode on it because my 3 yr old brother uses it so much
When I was on a zoom meeting with my teacher my sister jokingly shouted, “do you need clean underwear since your not wearing any!” I told her I was on mute and that it didn’t work but apparently I wasn’t on mute Side note, I was wearing pants
Imagine a father followed into the bathroom by their daughter... Imagine the daughter wanting to copy the father... Imagine the daughter realizing that girls have to sit down... Imagine 3 rolls of toilet paper wasted...
If he is old enough to have a phone to text you he doesn't like his lunch then get him to make his own bloody lunch.
