12 Back-to-School Scenarios That Give Parents and Kids All Too Real Feelings

Going back to school comes with a mixed bag of emotions for both parents and kids. By the end of the Summer, most parents are ready for school to start, whereas the kiddos would do anything to extend their vacations and hang tight to the lazy days. As back-to-school season approaches, there are a few scenarios — such as getting back into a bedtime routine and packing lunches — that are either making you feel ready for September to roll through or stirring up some back-to-school anxiety.

Read through for some very real back-to-school scenarios for parents vs. kiddos.

01
The last day of Summer
Giphy

The last day of Summer

Parents: All hail the end of the long, lazy days filled with "I'm bored."

20th Century Studios

Kids: "It's not fair!"

02
School supplies shopping
Fox

School supplies shopping

Parents: "Do not touch anything that isn't on that ridiculously long supply list."

Fox

Kids: "Please can I have the giant toolbox of crayons? I NEED THEM."

03
Getting back into an early bedtime routine
Fox

Getting back into an early bedtime routine

Parents: Finally, the kids will be in bed early enough before you pass out that a Netflix binge can be remotely possible.

NBC

Kids: "I won't go to sleep early! I won't!"

04
Packing lunches
United Media

Packing lunches

Parents: Hello, easy-to-make sandwiches, and goodbye, gourmet lunches.

NBC

Kids: "Peanut butter and jelly?! That's it?"

05
Waking up for school
Disney

Waking up for school

Parents: It takes a minute to have to force yourself awake before your kids, but you'll manage it in the end.

Universal Studios

Kids: "Yeah, hell to the no."

06
Picking something to wear to drop-off
ABC

Picking something to wear to drop-off

Parents: You don't want any of the other moms to see you in the clothes you wore all Summer, but you have literally nothing to wear that isn't grass stained or full of popsicle juice.

nickelodeon

Kids: They're so upset about going back to school that they don't even care about all the cool clothes you bought them.

07
Getting out the door in the morning
NBC

Getting out the door in the morning

Parents: Like a drill sergeant, you're going to get those kids out of your house if it's the last thing you do.

Warner Bros.

Kids: They're going to do everything they can to prolong the inevitable.

08
School drop-off
NBC

School drop-off

Parents: "Byeeeee, kids!"

Giphy

Kids: Whether they're clingy or not, chances are they're not going to let you go so easily at drop-off.

09
Immediately after school drop-off
Disney

Immediately after school drop-off

Parents: But wait, actually you really are going to miss them a lot now that they've left.

Universal Pictures

Kids: They literally can't wait to get out of school and be free again as soon as you've left them.

10
Picking the kids up from school
Universal Studios

Picking the kids up from school

Parents: Despite missing the kids, you're going to miss how quiet it was for the last few hours more.

Fox

Kids: They're so happy to be free, and you're bracing yourself for the long night ahead.

11
Getting back into a homework routine
Bravo

Getting back into a homework routine

Parents: Just another year of you googling how to do algebra for second graders.

Nickelodeon

Kids: Like every year, they can't believe they have to do schoolwork all day and then be forced by you to do more later when the iPad is burning a hole into their nightstand.