31 Relatable Memes When You're Adulting Hard But You Still Feel Like A Kid

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melissa dilillo
Jan 21, 2025 4:00 PM EST

No one tells us how to prepare for adulting or parenthood. It's like when you study for an exam on the brain but can't expect to just know how to do brain surgery. Sure we can read books on parenting or living life financially smart or on time management, but until you actually put those things into practice, it's rough out there. When you're a kid, all you want is to be an adult so you can eat ice cream whenever you want, stay up late, and watch R-rated movies. Then you actually become an adult and you realize you're lactose intolerant, exhausted for work the next morning, and only exhausted for work because scary movies kept you up all night. 

Essentially, we need to learn to be in the moment and remember that we're all just figuring it out as we go. There is no real playbook to life. Being a first-time parent or a first-time dog mom is a real shock to the system. Going back to school as an adult takes courage and endurance. And it's okay to always feel like a kid at heart. We're all doing the best we can and I think a younger version of myself would actually think I'm pretty cool today. 

Check out our 30 adulting memes, even if you still feel like you're unsure of how to do life. 

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  • 01
    When you're finally feeling good about yourself and somebody says "you look tired"
    via @kidsaretheworst

    I thought my natural hair was a good look? 

  • 02
    Your Tupperware for the rest of its lifetime, after you filled it with tomato sauce
    via @kidsaretheworst

    This is why I can't have nice things. 

  • 03
    When you make dinner instead of ordering uber eats @soupyeahsoup
    via @soupyeahsoup

    We're rustic now. 

  • 04
    Me when someone is too cheerful in the morning
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 05
    When she moves your keys and you can't find them When you find his keys exactly where he left them mommy.meds
    via @mommy.meds
  • 06
    Ali Kolbert @AliKolbert I wish I could google search my own mind and just type in stuff like "what are my favorite movies" or "what was the name of the place with the really good egg rolls"
    via @alikolbert
  • 07
    Me to my husband at least once a month. @kidsaretheworst I hate it here
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 08
    Tariq Ali @aliboomaye Kids imagining what life would be like at 40. I am forty. I have wrinkles and grey hair and I would have a walking stick to help me walk. Rita Monaghan, 9 I am forty. I am turning old. I just left work because I cannot manage going up and down hills. I know I will soon die. Jennifer Turner, 8 *** Dolore
    via @aliboomaye
  • 09
    Me trying to be a great mom, grow my business, eat healthy, take care of the house, pay bills, be a good friend, call my parents, love my spouse, meditate, stay up-to-date on current events, and leave some time for self care @kidsaretheworst
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 10
    bk @BrandiKiger When medication says "do not operate heavy machinery" they're probably mainly referring to cars, but my mind always goes to forklift.
    via @brandikiger
  • 11
    @kidsaretheworst Me at 13 trying to earn money by babysitting and bringing cool crafts. Kids at 13 trying to earn money by lip syncing and getting sponsored.
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 12
    Microwaving dinosaur chicken nuggets for my kids. NOT GREAT NOT TERRIBLE Cooking dinosaur chicken nuggets in the air fryer. @kidsaretheworst
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 13
    my brain: don't post about that right now. You're just going to stir the pot. me: @kidsaretheworst
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 14
    Someone's juice box left unattended in my home @jacana_mommy My other kids: "Don't mind if I do"
    via @jacana_mommy
  • 15
    Dads who say they don't want a dog two weeks after getting one.
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 16
    MOM HACK: IF ALL THE BATHROOMS IN THE HOUSE ARE IN USE, TURN OFF THE INTERNET. @kidsaretheworst
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 17
    tatum @50FirstTates me, waking up in a cold sweat: omg i'm late for school me, falling back asleep: wait i'm 35 lol me, waking up in a cold sweat: omg i'm late for work
    via @50FirstTates
  • 18
    Me in the middle of the night thinking about that shirt I haven't seen in a while
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 19
    When you finally get to bed and hear a voice saying "Moooom" at your door. @kidsaretheworst
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 20
    To build character I make my kids stare at this for 5 minutes before they can use the wifi. } AMERICA C Online Dialing... TheGladStork
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 21
    Wednesday. @MissLady_Leah I want y'all people with no kids to know.... Blues Clues gets emails instead of letters now.
    via @MissLady_Leah
  • 22
    How my kid smiles for a $200 package of school pictures.
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 23
    Simon Holland ✪ @simoncholland They really just told us "this is grape flavor" and we all just went along with it. ...
    via @simoncholland
  • 24
    me at 12 years old pretending i'm in a music video as i listen to sad songs during rainy car rides
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 25
    When ya mom look calm in public but she got that secret grip on your arm
    via @kidsaretheworst

    The strength of mothers is literally unmatched. Scary. 

  • 26
    When your kids find your hidden cookies after you said they were all gone. @kidsaretheworst
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 27
    Remember in Mario Kart when you thought you were in first place but then realized you were looking at the wrong screen and actually crashing into walls? That's adulthood.
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 28
    Communication is key @highfiveexpert TELL ME WE ARE GETTING LOW ON MICK HEREL ↑ NOT HERE!
    via @highfiveexpert

    It's definitely better than being passive aggressive. 

  • 29
    My teenage son when I suggest he wear a jacket outside in the winter @kidsaretheworst
    via @kidsaretheworst
  • 30
    Average Dad @Average_Dad1 Kids are like "race me!" then throw a fit when you easily beat them, like what did you think was gonna happen
    via @average_dad1
  • 31
    sydney battle @SydneyBattle i was born on my due date and i was only 5 pounds. it's called being considerate & respecting ur mother
    via @kidsaretheworst

Tags

Babies females parenthood kids Female Empowerment adulting funny parents kiddos adulting memes adulthood adults mom women parents children
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