Chalk, a squirt gun, and 18 minutes of peace: A mom’s low-key win goes viral

Picture this: A tired mom emerges from the garage, National Geographic narrator voice engaged, “From the garage, she tosses out a weathered bucket. Two pieces of chalk, and a water squirter. The ancient ritual begins: ‘Go paint the driveway.’”

The tweet from user @GigaBasedDad humorously documented a mom’s brilliantly minimalistic tactic for achieving a coveted sliver of peace… exactly 18 minutes, to be precise. It wasn’t a Pinterest-perfect craft or a detailed summer itinerary. It was lo-fi parenting at its absolute finest.

As hilarious and relatable as the tweet is, it touches on a deeper conversation resonating with exhausted moms everywhere. Because let’s face it, summer parenting burnout is real. Between feeling pressured to keep kids entertained every waking second and battling our own perfectionist tendencies, the mental load feels heavier than ever. But what if the solution wasn’t more planning, crafting, or scheduled activities?

What if the solution was, simply, chalk and a squirt gun?

Related: A ‘lazy parent summer’ is the only way I want to summer

Why lo-fi parenting is having a moment

Lo-fi parenting, embracing unstructured, low-maintenance play, is gaining momentum among parents who are realizing it’s not just about their own sanity, but also about giving their kids essential tools for development. Child experts agree: free play encourages creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. It’s not lazy; it’s foundational.

Yet, even in these seemingly effortless parenting moments, judgment can creep in. The comments under the original tweet reveal exactly that. One commenter, @Angela Dawn, said, “No way. This makes me so sad. I homeschool, but I have always loved having all of the kids home, neighbor kids, everyone! I think my kids have kept me energetic and motivated.” 

Related: Summer is here—and so is my mom guilt

Goodbye, summer guilt

It’s time to redefine what a successful summer looks like. Lo-fi days aren’t a sign of failure, they’re evidence of parents creating space for their kids to flourish independently. Chalk, water play, and driveway games? These activities hold the potential for imaginative worlds and genuine joy.

So next time the mom-guilt creeps in or you feel tempted to over-plan, remember the mom who tossed out chalk and a squirt gun and found not only peace but validation in the simplicity. We’re all doing the best we can, and sometimes, less truly is more.