‘You’re doing the best you can, Mom and Dad!'A family gathering of parenting laughs for witty mothers and fathers (October 24, 2026)

Melissa Knudson • Writer

Oct 24, 2026 8:30 AM EDT

Ready for a very demanding Halloween?

I've gone on and on about how parenting is not easy. I don't think anyone doesn't know that by now. We don't even have to look at tired parents to know that, but it is enough to remember who we used to be as kids, and let me tell you, we were terrible. We ran around, broke things, fought our parents right before bedtime, and made as much chaos as possible whenever we could. The funny part is, those moments in which our parents probably wanted to punish us forever also happen to be some of the best memories we still hold as adults.

When I was a kid, for example, Halloween was coming, and I was very happy to go trick-or-treating with my friends. We were old enough to go on our own, and our parents had agreed to allow us to test our responsibility (in a closed residential area, of course). We were supposed to get back to my friend's home at exactly 8 pm. So, we started our trick-or-treating route, getting our bags filled with candy. In the meantime, we were also running around, telling each other spooky stories and competing on who could get more candy overall. That said, we completely failed our parents' test. By the time we decided to check the time, we were an hour late, and everyone's parents were furious ( understandably). We all got punished for weeks. But if you ask me, looking back, it was absolutely worth it.

I can only imagine how stressed my parents were when I disappeared with my friends for an hour on Halloween night. I can only imagine how exhausted they were after they had to take me to the doctor a couple of days later, because I got a stomachache from eating too much candy at once. I can't imagine at all how they managed to do it all over again for at least 15 years. That's why, as the spooky season is in full bloom now, here you've got a parenting meme list to prepare you for what's about to come. If you thought parenting was hard, just know that it gets a lot harder around the holidays and celebrations.

01

via life.with.jesss
02

via imamom2be
03

via @MOMOF1ANDDONE
04

via @theortegaspartyof6
05

via @parentingtrio
06

via 9gag
07

via @dailymomshow
08

via @childownermemes
09

via moms_beyond
10

via themumcrew
I know it all sounds a little extreme, and even though kids change the way you celebrate on these dates completely, that does not mean you won’t have lots of fun still. There is something so wholesome about witnessing your children make friends, dress up, and have fun. You could almost forgive them for everything once you see them wearing the most adorable costume. Plus, most kids are in the best humor around Halloween, so fewer unexpected tantrums and complaints. Also, as an additional treat, you’ll get tons of free candy as your kid slowly gets a little sick from trying to eat it all at once. Make sure to demand your cut.
11

via thedreamermum
12

via theortegaspartyof6
13

via parentnormal
14

via parent.dad
15

via theortegaspartyof6
16

via THEDAD
17

via life.with.jesss
18

via @mymomologue
19

via theortegaspartyof6
20

via michaelclarkeauthor
21

via @dailymomshow
22

via moms_beyond
23

via fmomguilt
24

via @M.Q.
25

via @Thedad_father
If there’s something you will remember about your kid’s childhood, it's these moments. Every Halloween night will slowly turn into some of the most cherished memories and, when they become grown-ups and stop trick-or-treating, they will thank you deeply for holding these memories so dearly. Sometimes it feels impossible, and special celebrations are like extra hard levels, but in the long run, we can promise they will be something to be missed. So, make the most of this Halloween, enjoy free candy, and take lots and lots of pictures of the adorable costume you got together at the last second.