Let’s face it—even though parenting is tough, it’s also full of hysterical “can’t-make-this-up” moments. Many people use social media to post about funny things their kids said and did. We uncovered some of the funniest tweets out there about parenting at mealtime, because even though we may have the best intentions and want to be Julia Child in the kitchen, it doesn’t always (read: it rarely) happens. So when we found the below, we were secretly very happy that others could relate.
1. We Want Our Kids To Have Well-Balanced, Home-Cooked Meals, But…
You know you've hit a new level of parenting when you're feeding McDonalds to your child in the car before gym class! #winningatparenting
— Purple Girl (@my_purple_life) December 14, 2016
2. We Also Want Them To Be Happy
The name "Happy Meal" does NOT apply to a toddler's experience when they find a burger instead of nuggets in their box as you pull away.
— Six Pack Mom (@Six_Pack_Mom) December 29, 2016
3. We Have Great Intentions, But It Doesn’t Always Happen
Cutting up a shop bought sandwich and putting it in Tupperware for your sons nursery lunch. #winningatparenting
— Maxine Casey (@Maxine_L_Casey) November 7, 2016
4. And Our Kids Notice When Things Aren’t Exactly Right
Dad Feeds Kid Pop-Tart That's Not Pink Enough, Lives to Tell About It https://t.co/FL0GNSTL38 @2questionable pic.twitter.com/aMXQ7veDOd
— MockMom (@MockMoms) December 26, 2016
5. We Try To Save Money And Be Practical
Me:*spends 4hrs comparing gift prices on several sites to save $4*
Also Me: *spends $33 on pizza b/c I shopped too long to cook $6 chicken*
— Six Pack Mom (@Six_Pack_Mom) December 15, 2016
6. Inevitably, We Make Mistakes
@sarcasticmommy4 I remembered their lunches, but put them in the wrong lunchboxes. They looooooved me when they got off the bus today.
— Stephanie Worden (@slworden) December 9, 2016
7. Even When We Want To Impress Other Parents, We Have To Improvise
All these moms preparing homemade goodies for the class party, and me, furiously microwaving popcorn.
— Amy Dillon (@amydillon) December 22, 2016
8. And When We Do Make Our Kids A Meal, This Happens
That takes guts. (via @simoncholland) pic.twitter.com/82s4rkUiMv
— HuffPost Parents (@HuffPostParents) December 29, 2016
9. Or, Even Better, This
My kids never finish their dinner because they're saving room for bath water.
— Unfiltered Mama (@UnfilteredMama) February 19, 2016
10. Or This
Which K Cup pairs well with eating my child's half-chewed waffles above the trashcan?
— Mommy Cusses (@mommy_cusses) December 21, 2016
11. Yep, Kids Can Be Finicky Eaters
What's your kids' favorite food to heat up and throw away? Mine is french toast sticks with real maple syrup.
— Rich Cromwell (@rcromwell4) December 10, 2016
12. And We Wonder How They Can Live On Snacks And Snacks Alone
@mommy_cusses @House_Feminist and snacks, children are made up of 85% snacks
— Craig (@cnevels) December 21, 2016
13. Yet Some Days, We Fool Them
The lies started when I told my kids that Santa's real and now I can't stop. They think mommy makes dinosaur chicken nuggets from scratch.
— MyQuestionableLife (@2questionable) December 7, 2016
14. And Kids Have Great Food-Related Ideas, Too
Kid: If marshmallows go on sweet potatoes I think we can put them on other foods too
Husband: No…
Me: Let the boy speak
— MyQuestionableLife (@2questionable) November 23, 2016
15. Other Times, We Try To Take Them Out To Eat
If you aren't prepared to spend 82% of your time at a restaurant reminding your kid to sit down, then you aren't ready to be a parent.
— Beau Coffron (@lunchboxdad) December 31, 2016
16. Then There Are Times We Curse The Food Network
My kids watch Food Network and beg me to let them cook. Why can't someone start Laundry Network? Or Vacuuming Network??
— qwertygirl (@qwertygirl) October 28, 2015
17. After All Those Attempted Mealtimes Come Other Rituals—And Successes
Adds "successfully brushed toddler's teeth" to my resume.
— Unfiltered Mama (@UnfilteredMama) December 29, 2016
18. As A Parent, We Learn It’s About The Little Things
That feeling that you get when you get to grocery shopping without your kids! #parenting #FridayFeeling pic.twitter.com/rICcEpfMJg
— Beau Coffron (@lunchboxdad) December 30, 2016
19. It’s Also About The Little Things When We Visit Friends Without Kids
When you visit a friend without kids that drinks out of something other than disposable plastic cups & coffee mugs. pic.twitter.com/X5QA8uYESf
— Six Pack Mom (@Six_Pack_Mom) December 31, 2016
20. And, Just Like Our Kids, We Need Fuel, Too
Before kids: "Oh I don't drink coffee"
1 kid: "I'll have one cup, lots of cream & sugar"
2 kids: "THE WHOLE POT BLACK YES I KNOW IT'S HOT"
— Wendy S. (@maughammom) June 16, 2016
21. Even If Our Kids Don’t Get It
7yo: Mommy, you want to play Terreria with us?
Mommy: Let me eat first
7yo: Not AGAIN!— Robert Knop (@FatherWithTwins) December 22, 2016
22. Sometimes, We Just Give Up
This wine tastes like everyone can make their own dinner! Thanks to @valkyllrie for the ToTD!https://t.co/Q49RgmrguN
— Sarcastic Mommy (@sarcasticmommy4) December 15, 2016
23. And We May Think We’re Still The Stay-Out-All-Night Adults We Used To Be, But…
Pretty good chance I'll start 2017 the same way I started 2016. Finding a juice box straw wrapper on my floor.
— Simon Holland (@simoncholland) December 31, 2016
There you have it. Chances are, you could relate to some of those. We certainly don’t feel as bad anymore—because now we know we’re not the only parents who sometimes “make” pre-cooked food and pass it off as our own. One things’s for sure: As challenging as mealtimes with our kids can be, we wouldn’t trade them, or our kids, for anything.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for other great tips and ideas to make the most out of life.