‘You’re doing the best you can mom and dad!': A family gathering of parenting laughs for witty mothers and fathers (July 3, 2026)

Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor

Jul 3, 2026 2:00 PM EDT

You ready for a long 4th of July weekend, mom and dad?

When you are a kid, summer is freedom! It is the time of year when school is out, and you're ready to just have fun. When you get older, you only get little tastes of that with long holiday weekends off of work, like Independence Day weekend! However, once you become a parent… Oh man, I'm so sorry, I know, it's hard, but you love it! You love your family. You love spending time with them. But we know it is exhausting. A similar feeling to that freedom you felt as a kid during summer break or a childless adult during holiday weekends comes in spurts, like when the kids are napping, or at a slumber party, or something… I don't know, it's very difficult to say, because you never clock out when you're a parent. Even if you wanted to clock out, the worry will still have you locked in thinking about your kids 24-7.

But, like we said, you are doing the best you can, and your family is beautiful! So much love, I know it! So love yourself and allow yourself some LOLs over your parenting strife. That's the whole point of memes. Sure, it's a long holiday weekend that you used to spend doing keg stands and lighting questionable fireworks, and now you're making sure everybody is wearing enough sunscreen and struggling to stay awake for the fireworks… But you're rich in love! And to be loved so much, now that's what I call freedom!