Ah, the first day of school. A time of year when parents lovingly document their children’s significant milestones while also capturing a lifetime of therapy material. While some families go for the sweet “standing by the door with a chalkboard sign” shot, the real gold is in the photos where Timmy is mid-sob, the baby is chewing on the sign, and Mom is in the background holding a mimosa like she just won the lottery. Because nothing says “cherished memory” quite like a kid who looks like they’re being drafted into military service against their will.
And let’s not forget the growing trend of parents turning the tables by posing in their own ridiculous “freedom” photos while their kids trudge off with backpacks and deep frowns. Whether it’s Dad leaping into the pool as the school bus drives away or Mom lounging with a glass of wine and a “BYE FELICIA” banner, these pictures perfectly capture the mix of joy and relief that comes with sending the little darlings back into the care of underpaid professionals.
1. Leslie Kemelgor takes hilarious back-to-school pictures with her kids year after year.
2. Leslie Brooks first thought of making silly photos in 2013, back when her kids were in grade school.
3. When Keshia Gardner’s kids went back to school, the mom of five shared photos of her leaping and celebrating as her kids lined up for school, looking sad.
4. This mom is good at showing how ready she is for her kids to get the f out of her house!
5. This dad doesn’t care that his kids don’t want to go back to school. They’re going, even if he has to use force!
7. Here’s another dad struggling to get his kid out of the house and back in school.
8. This family depicts the adults literally preparing for a party after the kids leave.
9. In this photo, dad couldn’t wait for his kids to get on the bus before popping the champagne.
10. In this picture, the parents couldn’t wait to get back home to enjoy their kid-free mimosas.
11. After a Mom explained to her daughter that she’d be going to school for the next 17 years, this was her expression.
12. There are two kinds of kids on the first day: the ones who are excited and the ones who are on the floor in agony.
13. In this picture, we finally see a parent who shows that they do actually enjoy spending time with their kid!
14. This picture might be old school, but the feelings depicted are timeless.
15. Not all kids want to take a picture holding a sign like a mug shot.
16. Some moms have a little too much fun with their back-to-school photos.
17. Some pictures are super sentimental!
18. These parents are a little too happy to see their kid go!
19. This picture shows the after effects of the first day of school on one unsuspecting young child.
20. This family set their photoshoot up to look like a mug shot, because once their kid hits middle school it will feel like prison.
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