During the height of the Covid pandemic, many of us turned to platforms like TikTok to seek a sense of connection and creative outlet, especially for parents spending extended time at home with their children. One trend that resonated deeply was sharing simple, everyday activities like coloring with kids, which seemed innocent but often evoked profound emotional responses. For me, the experience of coloring with my child was soothing yet unexpectedly intense—it brought back a wave of memories and emotions I hadn’t anticipated. The phrase "and I get a war flashback" really captures how certain moments, though peaceful on the surface, can trigger recollections of past struggles or difficult times. It’s a testament to how parenting during a global crisis can surface complex feelings, blending joy, responsibility, and sometimes trauma. Many parents found that these shared experiences on TikTok helped create a virtual support network. Watching others navigate similar challenges—whether managing kids' activities, coping with isolation, or finding creative ways to engage children—became a collective source of comfort. The use of simple, relatable content like coloring videos helped normalize the ups and downs of parenting during the pandemic. Moreover, the idea of "permanent" change became evident. The pandemic not only shifted our daily routines but also transformed how we perceive family time and stress. Activities as basic as coloring took on a deeper meaning, symbolizing attempts to maintain normalcy and promote mental well-being amidst uncertainty. If you’re a parent or caregiver, sharing your own moments—whether joyful or challenging—can be incredibly powerful. Platforms like TikTok offer a space to connect authentically, reminding us that even small creative acts can have lasting emotional impacts. This period of our lives may have been difficult, but the shared online experiences created a lasting archive of resilience, creativity, and community.