24 Hilariously Awkward Photos Of A Mom And Her Son That The Internet Can’t Get Enough Of

A mom is going viral after sharing a photoshoot with her young son that no one saw coming, and the internet can't seem to scroll past it.

At first glance, the images look like something you've seen a hundred times before: a parent, a child, a studio setup, a soft attempt at capturing a fleeting stage of life. But then something feels… off. The poses are strange. The energy is slightly chaotic. And instead of the usual warmth, there's a deliberate awkwardness that makes you pause, and then laugh.

More info:Instagram

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

What makes the series so unforgettable is the contrast. In nearly every frame, the mom keeps a completely straight, almost eerily calm expression, while her son is clearly having the time of his life—laughing, squirming, reacting without filter. That collision between her deadpan seriousness and his uncontainable joy is what turns each image into something unexpectedly funny.

People in the comments picked up on it instantly. Many pointed out that her expression never breaks, no matter how ridiculous the situation becomes, which somehow makes her son's laughter even more contagious. It's the kind of humor that sneaks up on you; the longer you look, the funnier it gets.

But behind the viral moment, there's also intention.

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

The creator shared that the idea had been sitting with her for a while. "I've always wanted to try the 'awkward JCPenney photoshoot' trend," the woman said, explaining that she made a quiet promise to herself to recreate it once her son turned 1. What made it even more special was the personal element behind it—"He's my best friend," she added—and the curiosity of doing something she hadn't really seen done with such a young child before.

Some of the poses were inspired by what she had seen online, but not everything was planned. A few moments came together on the spot, shaped by instinct and familiarity. One of the more unexpected setups—where she holds her son like a rifle—was entirely her own idea. She mentioned that she had seen fathers do it before and she had even done something similar when he was smaller, so bringing it into the photoshoot felt both playful and oddly natural.

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

And while the images lean into absurdity, the motivation behind them is grounded in something simple.

"To me, motherhood means putting your blood, sweat, and tears aside to do whatever it takes to put a smile on your child's face," she shared. For her, it's not just about being there; it's about creating moments that will stay long after the phase itself has passed.

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

That intention is what gives the series its depth. Beneath the humor and the slightly dark, quirky tone, there's a clear sense of joy in the process itself. "I wanted to show the fun side of being a boy mom," the woman explained, noting that the straight face was part of the joke, even if she was enjoying every second behind it.

Advertisement

In a space where family photos are often polished to perfection, this shoot feels like a quiet rebellion. It doesn't try to be pretty or sentimental in the usual way; it just leans fully into the unpredictability of the moment.

And maybe that's exactly why it resonated.

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

© Photo:@__.mxni.__

byMario Satorik

in

April 02, 2026

24 Hilariously Awkward Photos Of A Mom And Her Son That The Internet Can’t Get Enough Of

A mom is going viral after sharing a photoshoot with her young son that no one saw coming, and the internet can't se...

Read More

Sabrina Ionescu will return to New York Liberty: 'Where I'm supposed to be'

PHOENIX — Dozens of WNBA players will be feeling varying levels of anxiety on Friday when the expansion draft gets underway for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, the league's two new teams this season.

But Sabrina Ionescu is feeling secure in the lead-up to the WNBA season, where the expansion draft, college draft and free agency window will be crammed in over the next few weeks after the players and the league finally struck a new collective bargaining agreement in March.

"No, I mean, I don't think I'm gonna get taken in the expansion draft," Ionescu said with a laugh on Wednesday after a Team USA training camp session. "I don't think that was something that I ever thought about."

Many of the WNBA's biggest stars structured their contracts so they could become free agents this offseason to they could take advantage of the increases in salaries that came with the new collective bargaining agreement. The league's supermax salary has ballooned to $1.4 million and the new league minimum — $270,000 — is already more than what superstars like Ionescu, A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier were making last season.

Wilson willreportedly sign a supermax dealto remain with the Las Vegas Aces and Stewart said on a podcast this week that she's going tostay with the New York Liberty.

And Ionescu plans to do the same.

Advertisement

"Obviously, I'm where I'm supposed to be. Never thought anything different. And so, I'm excited to kind of be able to sign and get started. It's coming up really quickly," Ionescu told reporters Wednesday in Phoenix. "So, excited to get all this behind us and just be able to start our season and get going in New York."

The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the2026 NCAA Women's March MadnessSecond Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

The product of Oregon is in the prime of her career and played a big role in 2024 in helping both Team USA secure the gold medal in the Paris Olympics and the Liberty win the WNBA championship. The 28-year-old guard in the prime of her career has ranked in the top 10 in scoring and assists in the league in three of the past four seasons.

Ionescu — still the NCAA's all-time leader in triple-doubles — is a four-time WNBA All-Star and four-time All-WNBA Second Team selection. Since being selected No. 1 overall by the Liberty in 2020, Ionescu has averaged 16.7 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 35% from 3-point land.

The Liberty were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last year and former coach Sandy Brondello's contract was not renewed. While Ionescu and Stewart are returning, there will be a lot of new for New York this season under first year head coach Chris DeMarco.

"We're in a really good spot, because we have our core coming back, and I feel like that's something that we can kind of hang our hats on," Ionescu said. "Knowing we obviously have a new coaching staff that's coming in… continuing to add new pieces is going to be really exciting as well, to see how we can continue to get back to being a championship team."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sabrina Ionescu will return to New York Liberty in WNBA free agency

byMario Satorik

in

April 01, 2026

Sabrina Ionescu will return to New York Liberty: 'Where I'm supposed to be'

PHOENIX — Dozens of WNBA players will be feeling varying levels of anxiety on Friday when the expansion draft gets under...

Read More

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza shows NFL skills for Raiders, others at pro day

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Fernando Mendoza changed his LinkedIn status to "Open to Work" in January, and the Indiana quarterback proved he is taking this professional football thing seriously at the Hoosiers' pro day on Wednesday.

Most general managers and scouts downplay the meaning of pro day workouts as the culmination of a finely rehearsed routine, especially for quarterback prospects. But Mendoza delivered by putting the ball right on the money on repeat Wednesday, when he showed up bigger, stronger and faster than he was a few months ago when he declared for the draft.

Mendoza said he appreciated the audience but is keeping his focus on being ready to take the field in September.

"I'm trying to be the best me possible. Whatever team picks me, you only need one team to believe in you," Mendoza said. "Whether I'm the first pick or the last pick, I'm trying to be the best quarterback possible in September."

The Raiders are not hiding their affinity for Mendoza. They've met with the quarterback twice before Wednesday, when another formal sitdown was on Mendoza's calendar.

The meeting Wednesday followed a Zoom meeting and their first encounter, a formal interview at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

At least 10 members of the organization were present on Wednesday afternoon, all but solidifying Mendoza's name will be called when Las Vegas makes the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh later this month.

The 20-minute workout included a total of 56 throws. He completed 53.

Advertisement

"I think the main goal today was to serve my teammates," said Mendoza, who declined a workout at the NFL Scouting Combine to bring more scouts to the campus workout and share the spotlight with his IU brethren. "I think I was able to do that. Be able to put them in position to be able to make plays."

Raiders general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak were locked on the proceedings from start to finish.

Mendoza weighed 236 pounds -- 11 pounds heavier than his playing weight in the national championship game -- and the Heisman Trophy winner didn't show any signs of resting on his college credentials or trophy case.

Other than one overthrow on a 60-yard missile to Elijah Sarratt, Mendoza made all the throws scouts wanted to see and then some. His dart to EJ Williams was released from the other 40-yard line and caught in stride at the 6, drawing an audible reaction from observers encircling the field at Indiana's indoor practice facility.

Mendoza's Indiana teammates weren't entirely overshadowed.

Cornerback D'Angelo Ponds was clocked at 4.31 in the 40-yard dash. At the combine, he only participated in jump tests and registered a 43 1/2-inch vertical.

Running back Roman Hemby, who said he began training for the draft the day after the national championship game, said he wants to get to the NFL and stay there, and he feels he owes a debt of gratitude to Mendoza.

"That's a guy that's a great leader, a great person," Hemby said. "He doesn't have to do some of the things he does. He wanted to go out there and showcase the guys. That shows the type of person he is. That's why we love him."

--Field Level Media

byMario Satorik

in

April 01, 2026

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza shows NFL skills for Raiders, others at pro day

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Fernando Mendoza changed his LinkedIn status to "Open to Work" in January, and the In...

Read More