70+ Hysterical Parenting Tweets To Ease The Doom Scrolling This Holiday Season

If you’re a parent feeling stressed out and overwhelmed this holiday season, take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. According to Dr. Janet Lansbury, a respected parenting expert, “The holiday season can heighten stress and anxiety for parents, who are often caught in a whirlwind of expectations and responsibilities.”

Declarations about the joys of the season can be lost on stressed parents as they rush from one place to another, trying to do even more than their usual day-to-day obligations. It is an overwhelming time of year.

Financial expert Farnoosh Torabi emphasizes that parents often feel the pressure to create the “perfect” holiday experience, which can lead to burnout. “The pressure to meet unrealistic expectations can create significant financial strain and emotional stress,” she notes.

This sort of mindset can be unrealistic at best and damaging and draining at worst. “While the intention to create a magical holiday is admirable, it can become a significant burden for parents, both mentally and financially,” Torabi explains.

“Overspending during the holidays can lead to debt that lingers long after the decorations are put away. It's crucial to live within your means, especially during this time of year when social media can heighten the pressure to keep up with others,” she adds.

Torabi believes that parents should focus on the quality of time spent with their children rather than the material aspects of the holidays. Ideally, children will remember the moments shared with relaxed and happy parents, rather than those who are frazzled and overwhelmed.

So, to help everyone unwind, we have collected over 70 of the funniest and most relatable parenting tweets this holiday season. These tweets feature both Christmas and everyday parenting moments, so even if you’re one of those who wish to put the holidays behind them, you will have something to giggle at.

1. Christmas time is FAMILY TIME

dadmann_walking

2. Love that she apologized afterwards

Chhapiness

3. It's a SURPRISE

gfishandnuggets

4. One day revenge will be served

dadmann_walking

5. She "noped" tf out of there

xo_laaaay

6. Sleep is for the child-free

byclintedwards

7. Next time they won't miss

dad_on_my_feet

“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.”

And she is right! David Walsh, Ph.D., an award-winning psychologist known for his efforts in translating cutting-edge brain science to everyday practice for parents, teachers, and other professionals, calls the positive feelings of warmth, safety, or happiness “emotional memories.”

“Emotional memories are very powerful and very important,” Dr. Walsh writes. “Just as experiences link together different connections in our brain, experiences also wire together emotional connections. Emotions are especially powerful because they focus our attention and are a major determinant for what we remember.”

Even though presents might feel important now, Dr. Walsh offers that the greatest gift we can give our children during the holiday season is to create a rich set of positive emotional memories. “Creating family traditions, focusing on the meaning of the season, and carving out time for reflection can help buffer stress and provide a foundation for memories that last a lifetime.”

8. Is it really worth the risk?

reallifemommy3

9. It's a DELICIOUS snack PRESENT

BunAndLeggings

10. Oh no, not like that.

RodLacroix

11. They're all carrots, kiddo

HenpeckedHal

So what can parents do to create these emotional memories, especially during a global pandemic? Broadbent had some helpful suggestions, starting with planning for the holidays in advance. 

Especially for the holiday budget, figure out your costs for presents, decorations, and food. She also suggests becoming proactive instead of reactive to pressures, changes, or any other adversities you may encounter.

“No one could have foreseen a pandemic, which spoiled our planned gatherings, yet here we are. Budget for a Christmas you want for your family, which includes a contingency plan and won't compromise your life for the other 11 months of the year. Remember, you are not expected to share this period online unless you want to, so don't feel a duty or pressure to photograph and share your experiences on social media,” she said.

12. If it's still dark out, it's time to go back to sleep

edsbs

13. Kids are brutal

mom_tho

14. Too much math

reallifemommy3

15. Good to know kids don't grow out of potty humor until sometime after 13

Musings_of_wine

16. This is just the right amount of wholesome we need

mikejason73

17. Kids really do come up with the best words and phrases

gfishandnuggets

18. They may be confusing Santa for Jesus

HenpeckedHal

19. Simplicity is key for under 5 years old

Tobi_Is_Fab

20. Saddle up

plainmary_jane

21. Good thing they share an attention span

BunAndLeggings

22. Moms don't get Silent Nights

mom_tho

23. A positive outlook on the pandemic

simoncholland

24. Oops, talked himself into double presents

HenpeckedHal

25. Better than a boyfriend, it cleans for you!

AubriePesky

26. Technically, yeah

LizerReal

27. FYI

SnarkyMommy78

28. Christmas Dad-Poetry

perlhack

29. If parents wrote Christmas Carols

maryfairybobrry

30. Kids are just little copies of ourselves

ksujulie

31. Moms are only human

sweetmomissa

32. Santa is Amazon

mommajessiec

33. Never let them mess up your hard-earned title

katelippiett

34. So, so very long

lmegordon

35. Hustle for that shower

BunAndLeggings

36. Sometimes you just gotta spice things up

threetimedaddy

37. Definitely the small hands, nothing else

saltymamas

38. Realistic view of herself or poor self-esteem?

BunAndLeggings

39. No one wants to miss out on any reindeer games

itsmebeegee07

40. Maybe a 6-year-old with a new joke book AND megaphone?

suecorvette

41. Elf on the Shelf and Tooth Fairies are known enemies

gfishandnuggets

42. Make it stop

motherplaylist

43. Everyone would get coal if they had a say

sadydoyle

44. Whether you like it or not - now put on an apron and help

lmegordon

45. Parents' version of 12 days of Christmas

mom_tho

46. Who doesn't like a "more less cold" bath?

HenpeckedHal

47. Kids will tell you when to water and feed them

lmegordon

48. "Dump" is even in the name!

aissalanis

49. Please, just go outside and stay there

aotakeo

50. Sleep is more precious than gold

MumInBits

51. At least they think to ask

LizerReal

52. Maybe an opportunity to encourage regular bathing?

HenpeckedHal

53. Ah yes, that awkward age for present buying

RodLacroix

54. All kids have strange fixations, but they don't need to take up the whole freezer for the majority of the year

morninggloria

55. While it sucks for Mom, this is actually very sweet.

pro_worrier_

56. Not that you SHOULD, but that we GET IT

thearibradford

57. Having someone else clean is a literal dream come true

dawnalana2

58. Oh, poo

maryfairybobrry

59. This is an awful Choose Your Own Adventure

sweetmomissa

60. Definitely picked it up somewhere else

VikingJonesy

61. It all makes sense once you're a parent

simoncholland

62. Type-A child keeping an eye on Santa's cleanliness

DevonESawa

63. That kid is going places

notmythirdrodeo

64. And there's no winning

HenpeckedHal

65. Well-written books can truly be heartbreaking

FondaJLee

66. I mean, same though

pro_worrier_

67. Not so sweet now, huh Auntie?

HomeWithPeanut

68. It's like Christmas song roulette

michimama75

69. I can't believe these people I made are JUST LIKE ME

ICantEven001

70. They'll never wear long pants until they're adults

maryfairybobrry

71. Christmas lights-ception

simoncholland

72. They're not wrong

RYGdance

73. While in quarantine, you take what human interaction you can get

copymama

74. Simple steps

MumInBits

75. That's a compassionate kid

RYGdance

76. An adorable description

momsense_ensues

Broadbent ends with some stellar advice

“If anyone makes you feel bad about yourself, mute, unfollow, or take a break during this more pressured time. Be in the moment, switch off as much as possible, and let your hair down a little; you deserve it.”

Be sure to take time to care for yourself this holiday season; goodness knows you've earned it. And share this with another frazzled parent to give them a few stress-free minutes.