The Serious Mom [Stuff] Instagram account was created in September 2019 and has amassed over 57K followers since. Clearly, there are plenty of parents out there who can relate to the struggles of trying to keep it all together while providing the best lives possible for their children. 

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent whose job is cooking, cleaning and keeping the house in check or a working parent who spends 40 hours a week in the office, you’re doing a great job. Just remember to take a moment to breathe and relax when you get the chance. And if it’s impossible to find a moment alone, don’t be afraid to lock yourself in the bathroom for a few extra minutes. Your kids won't burn down the house that quickly...

Being a parent is simultaneously a beautiful and chaotic thing. One on hand, you have brought new life into the world and get to help shape the next generation. You have the opportunity to experience childlike wonder through your children’s eyes and get to give your kiddos all of the love and support that they deserve. 

On the other hand, however, you might be stripped of all of your free time for at least a decade. And you better start cutting back with your spending, or you can quickly find yourself overwhelmed by the costs of raising kids. There are pros and cons to all of the choices that we make in life, including being a parent. But as many moms and dads will tell you, the joys of parenthood far outweigh the downsides!

If you’re interested in hearing about some of the best and worst aspects of having children, Laura Albulario at The Daily Telegraph has compiled a list of moments that melt her heart and moments that make her want to rip her hair out. First, she notes how amazing it is to cuddle with your baby for the first time. But the appeal starts to fade when you find yourself having to hold your child all the time. Balancing them in one arm while cooking or cleaning makes tasks much more difficult to accomplish and a lot more exhausting!  

Next, Albulario mentions how special it is to hold your child’s little hands. Whether it’s your baby wrapping their entire palm around one of your fingers or your five-year-old clinging onto your hand as you cross the street together, there’s nothing more magical than having a special connection like this with your child. It’s much less fun, however, when you end up holding their vomit in your hands. Unfortunately, this can happen when an accident is about to occur in the car, and you’re scared they’re about to make a mess all over their clothes. Shoutout to all of the parents who have had to take one for the team like this!

Going on vacation with your kiddos can also be a wonderful experience. You get to show them the world, and you have the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime. But traveling with little ones is much more complicated than traveling with adults. The bathroom breaks are endless, their moods can be flipped upside down in an instant due to a lack of sleep, and you have to keep snacks on hand constantly. Plus, if they decide to have a meltdown in a museum, you’ll have no choice but to say au revoir to the gorgeous art. 

Because parenting is such a demanding job, it’s difficult to find time to really reflect on how it’s going. And if your social media feed is flooded with photos from mommy bloggers who appear to have perfect lives, it can be easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. But according to Raise Ready Kids, you’re probably doing a much better job than you think. They note that the most important thing is providing your kids with the basics: a healthy diet, a cozy place to sleep and opportunities for physical activity. If those bases are covered, you’re on the right track!

Next, it’s important that your kids know that you love them unconditionally. If you tell them you love them often and show them that you forgive them for their mistakes, you’re doing great. Enforcing boundaries is also important. If you parent with kindness and firmness, Raise Ready Kids says that you’re setting a wonderful example for your little ones. At the same time, demonstrating behaviors that you’d like them to follow will make a huge impact on their actions in the future. 

If you’re creating learning opportunities for your kiddos and encouraging them to do well in school, read as much as they can and be curious about the world around them, you’re a wonderful parent. And if you’re supporting their passions and pushing them to pursue what fuels them, keep up the good work. There's no such thing as a perfect mother or father, and being too hard on yourself will only hold you back.

We hope you’re enjoying these hilarious memes about parenting, Moms and Dads! Keep upvoting the pics that make you feel seen, and let us know in the comments below if you’ve had any hilarious parenting experiences recently. Then, if you’re interested in checking out even more memes that you might find painfully relatable if you have kids, check out this Bored Panda list next!