The worst nightmare of all parents came true when the government announced a nationwide lockdown. Not because they were worried about the monthly bills or stocking up groceries, but the news that all schools would be closed for the foreseeable future terrified them.
It's not like they hate their kids when they are at home. On the contrary, they were worried about how to keep the little munchkins occupied. You see, children have an attention span of a goldfish, and they can get bored quickly, so finding something new to keep them busy is a task on its own. While some parents loved seeing their child's creative side, others were shocked at how innovative their kids could be! Just look at these hilarious images below and laugh at what these unannounced "holidays" did for the parents who were homeschooling their children while working from home. You'll see that the experience was something these exhausted parents would never even wish on their enemy, let alone a friend!
Learn to Earn!
Being in quarantine can be stressful for parents, especially when you've got several kids running around the house all the time! Sometimes you need a fix, and you need it fast.
This parent's brilliant idea is sure to resonate with many others out there. Trading 'Monopoly' money for snacks and tasks like cleaning and reading is sheer genius and will surely keep the kids occupied, fit, and out of trouble, while encouraging them to build a stronger work ethic from a young age. Finally, some peace for their weary mom and dad!
Here Comes Spider-Man!
Working at the house can take its toll on parents and children alike, but we reckon that kids can handle it better most of the time. That doesn't mean that how they do it is always best for mom and dad! Youngsters need many creative outlets when they're up and running around, and it can get messy.
This little superhero gives his mother all kinds of frights running around the house in his 'Spider-Man' costume while she's on a work call. We are sure her colleagues were amused and more than understand the plight of moms juggling their careers and family life from home these days.
Dear Diary
Attending school can be a challenge on its own, but homeschooling during isolation can be tricky for all parties involved. Between extensive coursework, long assignments, family life, and running the household every day, it can be a bit too much.
According to Ben here, his mom is at the end of her rope. In this sweet journal entry he penned down; the little boy expresses his concern for his mother's well-being after she helped with his homework. We're confident that they'll figure it out between the two of them because she's got one smart kid here.
University of Bark-ley
There is no reason that you can't have fun during your time in quarantine. The whole family can join in on the jokes and laughter, which one needs in times like these. A bonus is also plenty of extra time you can now spend with your loving pets!
This family certainly has the right idea of making learning fun and showing the world how you can enjoy the little things along with your furry friends. We certainly think this canine professor could easily win teacher of the year just for being so cute.
A Wedding Lunch At The Kids Table
Sometimes social distancing can bring out the best in people's sense of humor, like this mom, who's up for any kind of fun activity to entertain her kids. When her children wanted to play dress-up for lunch, she happily obliged.
They wanted their mummy to wear her wedding dress, and the lady of the house saw no reason why she should not. We're sure the midday meal was a real hoot that day. After all, every kid wants to know what their mum looked like on her big day!
Hard Act to Follow
When the whole family is at home, there are plenty of opportunities for quality time together, breakfast being one of them!
This dad seems to be enjoying his time in quarantine by indulging his kids in gourmet breakfasts. With a daily offering of eggs and pancakes, the children are spoilt for choice at the dining table every morning. The only family member with cause for concern over this new-trend is the mom who is clearly dreading morning meals once her husband returns to work and can no longer be a food whiz in the kitchen on a daily basis.
Toying With the Imagination
Families are looking to find ways of incorporating humor into their daily lives during isolation. This parent found a terrific way to entertain his daughter and his friends on social media by arranging all the toys to resemble a ritualistic circle on the playroom floor and letting people believe it was her.
Afternoons spent playing with toys can be a great way to combine learning with fun games for the whole family. And while her dad's had his fun with the pentacle gag on social media, the adorable toddler probably just loves the fact that she gets to spend time with her father and her toys at the same time!
Onwards & Downwards
Sometimes people can build up a tolerance, and sometimes it goes straight out of the window. This parent decided to show the world the effect of time on their tolerance levels as they were quarantined at home with their family. With kids no longer attending schools, getting a little me time has become harder than ever for homeschooling parents.
The graph clearly shows that there are some things you can handle and some things you can't. Luckily it looks like there is a sweet spot in the middle, and you'll probably find this parent's great sense of humor somewhere along that mark too.
The Future Of I.T.
Computers are already such a massive part of our lives, and these days they're often our only connection to the outside world, on occasion, needing cleaning and repair. You also have kids around who can quickly get bored, and this parent had the brilliant idea to combine the two.
Not only is the hardware getting a thorough cleaning, but these kids are learning a valuable skill that will stay with them and might even be a career choice one day. The accompanying silence around the house is just a bonus. We applaud this superb level of parenting!
Is Anybody Out There?
Kids can be a handful, even on an average day. Add the stresses of being in isolation, and that can multiply many times over. This parent had to find a way to show everyone that he's having a bit of a hard time with things.
This funny cry for help in crayon is an excellent way of venting his feelings, and we reckon a creative outlet like this is the right way of blowing off some steam and dealing with a situation to which a lot of moms and dads out there can relate.
That is Brilliant!
Working from home can be challenging for people, especially for mothers, because they're supposed to take care of everything. It looks like this mom has had enough for the day and decided to duct tape her daughters to the floor.
Let us appreciate her inspired solution, and why not? It's brilliant, there is no interruption in her work, and the girls look okay with being taped down.
Although we doubt that the binding is strong enough to keep them there for much longer, they are likely to find a way out of this hurdle sooner than later.
Let Us In!
In the age of social media, it is now a norm that whenever anyone gets a new job or a new office, they flex about it online. However, this parent has something a little different to share; instead of a lake view or skyscrapers, it's his kids standing at the door, waiting for him to let them in.
We bet that their dad understands that opening the door could be the end of the day for him. That is why he is reluctant to open it, and we would suggest that he barricade it as well.
Mom Got Busted
Working from home can be fun but let us tell you that it's only a matter of days until you will have had it with all the interruptions. Well, this mother told her toddler that she was going away to her office. But kids these days are curious, and it seems that he caught his mother secretly working from the house during his patrol.
Now that he has snuck up on his mother, he wants her to let him in right away! We wonder how long it was before he started banging on the door, demanding admittance.
Little University Professor
You may have thought that the little guy in the picture is a university professor, but no! We apologize for disappointing you. This kid got carried away with his dad's trimmer, and the resulting hair-do is hilarious.
Plus, he looks cute, and that smile makes him look like John Lithgow. Well, we know his hair will be back soon, but we're certainly glad his parents had a little dress-up fun before fixing his haircut. After all, it is not just kids who are bored in the isolation period; parents must amuse themselves with the occasional bit of fun as well.
Leave Me Alone Human
When there was no lockdown, pets used to have the whole house to themselves; that was their quality time away from humans. But that is not the case anymore, schools are closed, and everybody is home. So, it is not just parents scared of the kids; this poor cat is too.
This cute little girl wanted a friend to spend some time with the resident feline; however, it seems she will only be straining her relationship with the poor kitty during the quarantine period. Just look at the poor tabby's face; she wants to break free. We wish her all the luck!
A Gigantic Fort
Being in isolation with your parents and siblings can be a bit much for anyone but suppose you are a kid who has nowhere to play and must deal with their parents throughout the day. Occasionally, we need a break from all this, but not everyone has a playground large enough to cater to three kids.
These little ones made the best of their situation and decided to build a fort with pillows and blankets in their lounge. It sure looks like they have put a lot of effort into it, but the real test is for mom, who must get used to this mess all day and every day.
Let’s Paint Everything
Wherever there are children, there will be disasters, a fact not many can deny. Most people who do not have kids might think that they could have prevented accidents around the house from happening. They are wrong; things can happen faster than you think when it comes to the youngest members of the family, even the sweetest ones.
This little artist covered in white paint; seems busy finding any spots on the floor that she might have missed. But the main question remains, how did she manage to paint even her back? We sincerely hope that paint was washable.
Two Musketeers
Here is another team of musketeers, always keen on doing something productive with their day. This time around, they have decided to use the crusted green paint on the couch. We guess the duo does not like the original color of the sofa.
Upon being caught, the older one's eyes give it all away as he realizes that he is old enough to know that we don't paint couches. Nevertheless, let it be a lesson for the parents, keep your children away from the paint, especially since it can sometimes be toxic.
A Perfect Head Massage
Sometimes it is hard for kids to understand that although their parents are home, they must still clock at work and support the family. Though that is the case for this dad, he seems to actually be enjoying it. This little guy decided to climb up on his father's shoulders and is helping him out with a head massage.
We are sure that this is equally special for daddy as he probably rarely gets to unwind, and now he can relax as he works. This father and son's bond gets two thumbs up from us.
No TV In Lockdown
Initially, the lockdown promised to be fun, no office, no school, and everything seemed fantastic. Besides, who doesn't want some holidays to catch up on some of the favorite TV shows on their watchlist? But once this mother went to her lounge, she realized that her pending TV list has to wait now until they get a new television.
On a positive note, though, we think this will encourage the family to spend some more quality time together; Bonding over meals and playing some good old-fashioned board games could be a lot more fun!
Isn't There An App For That?
It's essential to keep busy during these stressful times, and playing strategy games is an excellent way for the entire family to get the time to pass. This parent got his kids into 'Dungeons and Dragons' in which a game can last for hours or even days!
He also found a creative way to track the games' stats using an ancient tool we know as the abacus, which the world used for counting before we invented things like apps and calculators. He's figured out a smart way to teach his offspring about tactical thinking while having fun!
Roller Derby!
Isolation can take its toll on the body and mind, so it's good to have a break sometimes. This parent and his young ones all had enough school for one day, even though it seems that their day just started!
When you've got rollerblades, time to spare, and a lovely floor to skate on, what are you supposed to do? Between having to study and zipping around on skates, we'd choose the fun way out too! After all, you can't just focus on learning all day; you have to keep fit and active as well.
Let It Go
This parent had the brilliant idea of buying a lot of expensive building blocks for his kids. After all, playing with toys like that is excellent for increasing coordination, your mental abilities, and you get to build something cool!
These guys ended up playing with a box and can lid instead, which goes to show you that the young ones can find joy in even the simplest of things. Plus, when they finish toying with the cardboard container and lid, they still have their 'Legos' left to enjoy. What a two-for-one special!
How Do We Wipe Away the Tears Now?
Sometimes kids can do things that adults can't understand, and we reckon that in this pandemic, we get to see even more of that. This photo shows us the result of an experiment where lots of toilet paper ended up in the bathtub. We don't know how we'd react to a discovery like this.
We would love to know what thinking process inspired their curious little minds to do this. Maybe they just wanted to make paper maché. All we know for sure is that mom and dad have had better and less expensive moments!
I Want to Work Too!
Working from home can be difficult, but it can also be very entertaining, especially when your kids get involved. They want to be part of your life, and sometimes you have to let them get involved in your activities even if it means that your personal space and work will be interrupted for a while.
This champion dad shows his son the ins and outs of his business, and they get to spend quality time together. They also get to have fun showing up together on video calls and seeing his colleagues' reactions. What a way to make the best out of the state of the world today!
Little Ms. Mischief
Having to be in quarantine can be difficult for children because even though mommy and daddy are home, they still have to work, and sometimes that concept is hard to understand. When everyone is home, it's family time.
This little one is probably a sweetheart most of the time, but it seems that she's acting out a bit and that the couch has gotten the brunt of her agitation with the fact that her parent is home but not spending time with her. It's a little rough now, but we're sure that these two will find a way to balance things before she finds more things to put toothpaste on!
White Gold
When the pandemic hit, people started stockpiling things like toilet paper, and it seemed that every roll was worth its weight in gold. Of course, that's not how children see things, and good luck trying to tell them otherwise.
These young ones decided that the tissue rolls belonged in the bath, and honestly, you can't blame them for their actions. After all, things need to be clean, and they and their toys get clean by washing in the tub. Why would the rules for toilet paper be any different? It's hard to argue with logic like that!
Witness The Fitness
Getting regular exercise is an important part of life, and during quarantine, even more so. Being at home can cause people to slack when it comes to maintaining a routine, so finding ways to keep it interesting is key to ensure that you're staying healthy.
This dad decided to incorporate his kids into his workout while keeping it light and wearing 'Minnie Mouse' ears on a headband. We think this is a very constructive way of spending time with your young ones. They are being entertained, getting quality family time, and daddy is getting his reps in!
The Void
Being in isolation can be a bit much for anyone, but imagine you're a kid who now has to deal with homeschooling and your parents all day every day. Sometimes you've got to take a break, but where do you go for some peace and quiet?
This young man made the best of his situation. It might look like he's just staring into the void or just the wall, but we reckon he's using his imagination to escape to a place where he's having a blast for a while before he has to go back and face the rest of his day.