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"Being a parent is tough." We've all heard it, but realize what it really means only later in life. Either when we grow up or when we have some little ones of our own. We finally understand the sacrifices they make, the sleepless nights, the worrying, the amount of patience that one needs to have to raise a child.

But sometimes parenting can be just absurdly comical. Kids sometimes really do the darndest things. In these situations, you don't know whether to laugh or cry. Bored Panda has scoured the vast sea of parenting content to bring you this list. These parents may not be having the best day, but they may certainly lighten up yours.

#1

Mom Rage Aside, We Made A Memory, Right? And Had A Laugh

Mom Rage Aside, We Made A Memory, Right? And Had A Laugh

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#2

A Very Slow Flushing Toilet Led To My Discovery Of The Most Ironic Toilet Clog. Kids Are Stupid

A Very Slow Flushing Toilet Led To My Discovery Of The Most Ironic Toilet Clog. Kids Are Stupid

Lucno Report

#3

Yeah, That's What It Translates To In Kid Talk

Yeah, That's What It Translates To In Kid Talk

maryfairybobrry Report

We named this list "Parenting Failures", but it's more about the realities of being a parent than the failures. It's important to know the difference between rough patches every parent feels and actual parental failure. Ashley Hudson LMFT explains that difference on her blog.

"Parental failure is when a parent causes significant trauma and/or physical or emotional damage to their child through their parenting style," she writes. "This could be in the form of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and/or when parents are involved in substances or violence that is affecting their parenting."

#4

I’m Sorry. They Are Spectacular

I’m Sorry. They Are Spectacular

Chhapiness Report

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Upstaged75
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My niece recently had a huge melt down because her brother gave their mom a high five. Apparently she's the only one who's allowed to do that. :)

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#5

It’s Always Mom. Dad Is For When Mom Says No

It’s Always Mom. Dad Is For When Mom Says No

XplodingUnicorn Report

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David Henry
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rookie mistake; never leave the chance this wide open for a kid to insert some brutality.

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What most parents mean when they say they think they're failing as parents is just stress and weariness talking. Hudson writes that it's a response to a stressful event, several days, weeks or months. True parental failure has serious long-term repercussions for the child.

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#7

But Seriously

But Seriously

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#8

My Kid Eats The Entire Pint Of Ice Cream And Then Fills It With Water And Freezes It To Make Me Think I Had A Nice Treat To Enjoy At Night

My Kid Eats The Entire Pint Of Ice Cream And Then Fills It With Water And Freezes It To Make Me Think I Had A Nice Treat To Enjoy At Night

treehead726 Report

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#9

Kid Drew All Over My Mom’s Ralph Lauren Purse

Kid Drew All Over My Mom’s Ralph Lauren Purse

Rico_TMRB Report

One of the reasons parents feel this way is because they feel too much pressure. Either from the outside or from themselves. Tia Slightham, M Ed. and Parenting Coach writes that parents desperately want to feel they are enough. Not messing up their kids, doing the right things as a parent. But the truth is, according to her, "if you love your kids, you're trying your best and you keep trying to learn," that's enough.

#10

Like Being Unreal Isn't A Full-Time Job Already

Like Being Unreal Isn't A Full-Time Job Already

HenpeckedHal Report

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Giraffy Window
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My preteen and I are reading a book series where dragons are the main characters. It gets pretty violent, and since this was the first time we'd read a violent thing together, I tried to reason "Well they ARE dragons, not humans, so it's less of an issue because dragons are naturally going to be violent creatures." My kid side-eyed me and stated "Yeah, but it was written by a human, and the dragons all act and think like humans, so it's REALLY not that different, mom." ... ok... fine, be all logical. it's a really good series and we've both been enjoying them.

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#11

My Kids Just Told Me They’ve Been Putting Fruit Stickers Under Our Kitchen Cabinet For Six Years

My Kids Just Told Me They’ve Been Putting Fruit Stickers Under Our Kitchen Cabinet For Six Years

ScottyMo1 Report

#12

Bro Thought The Toy Was Identical

Bro Thought The Toy Was Identical

DennistheBased Report

Ashley Hudson narrows down the things that might make one feel like a failing parent. Most parents, according to her, feel they have too little patience while disciplining. Others panic when they don't feel control over tantrums, rebellions and defiant behavior. First-time parents have it the worst – they simply haven't had the experience.

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#13

I Find Parenting Involves A Lot Of Saying “Don’t Laugh, Don’t Laugh” Or “Damn, That Was A Good Try” But Remembering To Keep My “Adult” Face On

I Find Parenting Involves A Lot Of Saying “Don’t Laugh, Don’t Laugh” Or “Damn, That Was A Good Try” But Remembering To Keep My “Adult” Face On

IDontSpeakWhine Report

#14

I Just Didn’t Think It Could Get This Awful

I Just Didn’t Think It Could Get This Awful

MumInBits Report

#15

I Have No Idea How Mad I Should Be

I Have No Idea How Mad I Should Be

Rolok916 Report

A Certified Positive Discipline Educator and Life Coach for Parents Adrienne Bishop writes that these feelings of failure also stem from the fact that parents have no control over kids. "The fact is, our children have agency, which means they have the ability to make their own choices. No matter what you want your child to do, they ultimately have the final say."

#16

My Kid’s End-Of-Year Open House. My Wife And I Are The Oldest Parents In Her Class, At 39. Thanks For Making Us Feel Good Kid

My Kid’s End-Of-Year Open House. My Wife And I Are The Oldest Parents In Her Class, At 39. Thanks For Making Us Feel Good Kid

girldad0130 Report

#17

Left The Kid For A Minute

Left The Kid For A Minute

alejandrosourusRex57 Report

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Brett Layton
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why on gods green earth would you leave a child unattended in a medical exam room ? I see at least 4 ways the kid could off themselves just from this picture alone.

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#18

My 8-Year-Old Is Going To Grandma's Place. I Told Him To Dress Nice And Hurry Up Because He's Going To Church With Them. I Didn't See How He Left The House... My Mom Just Sent Me This Pic

My 8-Year-Old Is Going To Grandma's Place. I Told Him To Dress Nice And Hurry Up Because He's Going To Church With Them. I Didn't See How He Left The House... My Mom Just Sent Me This Pic

lissie_ar Report

Bishop writes that when parents think they're failing, they're blaming themselves for their kids' actions. "We try to control our kids’ behavior in order for us to feel better," she claims. "But since it is impossible to control others' behavior, we consistently struggle to feel good, and to not feel like failures, and then as a result we give our power over to our kids and become their victims."

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#19

Didn't Get A Picture Of The 25-30 Pounds Of Rice He Evenly Spread All Over The Kitchen Floor The Other Day, But Checked Up On Him Half Way Through Disney's Cars 2 To Find This

Didn't Get A Picture Of The 25-30 Pounds Of Rice He Evenly Spread All Over The Kitchen Floor The Other Day, But Checked Up On Him Half Way Through Disney's Cars 2 To Find This

kuahara Report

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Kobe (she)
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TIL that parents exist who do not child lock their cabinets or leave them alone with stuff - and are still surprised with this outcome ...

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#20

Sounds Normal Enough

Sounds Normal Enough

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Couragetcd
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to run away from a toddler and hide the lavender baby lotion on the top shelf of the coat closet after every bath to keep him from eating it all. He has just started not to leave CK any extra lotion off her s hands at 7

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#21

Don’t Let Your Kids Run Free In Bulk Barn

Don’t Let Your Kids Run Free In Bulk Barn

ej4 Report

The educator recommends redirecting thoughts since they are one thing parents can control. Instead of thinking "I have failed my child" or "She will always eat this way" try to think: "I am learning how to help my child make better food choices." Bishop writes: "After I work on changing my thoughts, I can start taking steps to set limits and expectations from a place of acceptance and peace and not blame or overwhelm."

#22

“I Don’t Want Anymore, Dad”

“I Don’t Want Anymore, Dad”

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#23

My Wife Had To Write A Not-Sick Note For School

My Wife Had To Write A Not-Sick Note For School

basefibber Report

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Sooploosh MacSchnibble
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok but like one time I was horsing around too much one morning w my dad, and he was playfully holding me against the wall, but I told the school he slammed me into the wall and they sent someone to interview him. My stupid a*s almost had him lose custody of us

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#24

My 2-Year-Old Son Made A Puzzle For Me

My 2-Year-Old Son Made A Puzzle For Me

c_jae Report

Tia Slightham has some simple, down-to-earth recommendations for struggling parents. The first one is to get enough sleep. Try going to bed just a few minutes earlier each night. She writes that without enough sleep it's easier to give in to bad thoughts and frustration. You're truly not you when you're tired.

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#27

One Of My Adult Kids Left This In The Fridge

One Of My Adult Kids Left This In The Fridge

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Secondly, Slightham advises to learn to walk away. Parents can avoid unwanted outbursts of anger and frustration if they try counting to ten. "Learn from your mistakes and next time try your best to walk away before you open your mouth and yell, give empty threats or say something you regret," she writes in her blog.

#29

Same Daughter Who Laughed At Idiot Kids On TikTok Cutting Bangs And Crying… Cut Her Bangs Just Now. And Cried. And Cried

Same Daughter Who Laughed At Idiot Kids On TikTok Cutting Bangs And Crying… Cut Her Bangs Just Now. And Cried. And Cried

cwajgapls Report

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Andrew Keir
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

every day is a school day, it's just that some lessons are remembered for ever.

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Her last tip is to document one good thing you did each day – doesn't matter how small. "Maybe you and your child had an amazing snuggle and book time before bed. You were able to connect during a board game. You kindly asked your child to brush their teeth instead of harping them." Slightham lists all these strategies as examples.

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#31

My Wife's Stationary Bike Just Became A Jellybean Dispenser

My Wife's Stationary Bike Just Became A Jellybean Dispenser

Blue_Nyx07 Report

#32

My 6-Year-Old Is Mad At Me

My 6-Year-Old Is Mad At Me

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Giraffy Window
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ohhhh that had some BIG feelings behind it. Hope it's all worked out now!

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#33

This Is Your Reminder To Take Your Birth Control

This Is Your Reminder To Take Your Birth Control

7aylorAbi Report

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Tanja J
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

O, come on, cats do that much more often. And kids can learn not to do it. Cats can also learn, but will do it anyway.

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#34

We Can Just End This Topic Now... My Kid Just Took The Cake

We Can Just End This Topic Now... My Kid Just Took The Cake

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#35

The Kids Left The Remote On The Heater

The Kids Left The Remote On The Heater

timack Report

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dan martyr
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How high do you have your heating on? If the radiators are glowing it’s time to turn down the thermostat

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#36

Consequences Of Oversleeping With A 4-Year-Old In The House

Consequences Of Oversleeping With A 4-Year-Old In The House

LifeLoveLaughter Report

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Zoey Rayne
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

4 year olds should never be able to touch anything as pointy as those scissors. Lock that s**t up. * remembers horror story about young child cutting off her cat's whiskers; poor kitty was never the same *

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#37

Found Out My Son Has Been Stealing And Selling My Pokémon Cards

Found Out My Son Has Been Stealing And Selling My Pokémon Cards

SpikeKintarin Report

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Jo Maxwell
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not okay no matter the age. Also how did he sell them without you noticing?

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#38

My 3-Year-Old Daughter Did This Today To My Favorite Thesaurus Which I Held Perfect For Almost 20 Years Since School

My 3-Year-Old Daughter Did This Today To My Favorite Thesaurus Which I Held Perfect For Almost 20 Years Since School

TheMagicShark Report

#39

My 2 Preschoolers Just Did This To An Entire Bag Of Cable Ties

My 2 Preschoolers Just Did This To An Entire Bag Of Cable Ties

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Gustav Gallifrey
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could have been worse. At least they didn't zip one extra tight around a part of the anatomy of one or the other.

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#40

My Partner's Son Is A Monster

My Partner's Son Is A Monster

incendiary_bandit Report

#41

When My Kid Runs Out Of Toilet Paper, She Will Improvise

When My Kid Runs Out Of Toilet Paper, She Will Improvise

Trey3638 Report

#42

My Child’s Playroom 90 Seconds After I Finished Cleaning It Up

My Child’s Playroom 90 Seconds After I Finished Cleaning It Up

bluelinetrain1 Report

#43

My Kid Was Driving While We Were Inside And My Other One Looks Out And Says: Dad, The Golf Cart Is Smoking

My Kid Was Driving While We Were Inside And My Other One Looks Out And Says: Dad, The Golf Cart Is Smoking

beardedheathen Report

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Hans Georg
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Without even knowing, what actually happened, this picture just shows a burning golf cart. Could have been a defect. That has nothing to do with bad parenting for now.

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#44

My Niece Stole My Sister's Phone, Hoping For A Feed

My Niece Stole My Sister's Phone, Hoping For A Feed

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#45

“Eating The Other Half Is Too Hard” - My Kid

“Eating The Other Half Is Too Hard” - My Kid

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#46

Rest In Peace 140 Hz Monitor

Rest In Peace 140 Hz Monitor

amberheart31 Report

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Giraffy Window
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it's sharpie, you can just use an ethanol alchohol-based hand sanitizer to wipe it off. Worked at a book store where we'd get in orders of deep discount books the sellers thought ought to have a sharpie mark across the covers of. We'd used alchohol based hand santiizer because it was just strong enough to lift the all the ink without seriously drying our hands out like a rubbing alchohol would. Please don't throw out your monitor just because there's marker on it.

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#47

Toddler Is Mightier Than The TV

Toddler Is Mightier Than The TV

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Sooploosh MacSchnibble
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother wanted to join the Power Rangers once and he had this little Power Rangers sword and when the villain was onscreen he repeatedly whacked him and the screen broke. My brother is so powerful in the Power Rangers universe he accidentally destroyed reality.

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#49

I Told My 8-Year-Old To Put The Dryer Sheets Where All The Laundry Stuff Goes

I Told My 8-Year-Old To Put The Dryer Sheets Where All The Laundry Stuff Goes

bthedebasedgod Report

#50

I Love My 7-Year-Old Son, What I Don't Love Is Him Doing This To The Soap For The Past 4 Years

I Love My 7-Year-Old Son, What I Don't Love Is Him Doing This To The Soap For The Past 4 Years

VeryHelpfulAdvice Report

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