40 Helicopter Moms Being Shamed Online For Their Behavior Interview
Parenting is one of life’s biggest and most enjoyable challenges. Helping your children grow into incredibly capable, morally upstanding, and passionate dreamers is every parent’s wish. However… we sometimes lose faith in the future of the human race when we see how some parents are acting online. The sad fact is, just because someone is a parent doesn’t mean that they’re a good one (even if they love their kids as much as anyone else).
There’s an online group on Reddit with 245k members called '[Stuff] Mom Groups Say' that’s been active since 2018. It's dedicated to shaming bad moms and all of their mom group drama. From anti-vaxx showdowns to debates about essential oils, the subreddit believes that these parents deserve to be called out for their behavior that, frankly, causes more harm than good.
Scroll down to lose a chunk of your faith in humanity, upvote the best of the worst pics, and do let us know what you think about these anti-parents, dear Pandas. Bored Panda spoke about the drama and misinformation that sometimes can be found in social media mom groups with the moderators of the '[Stuff] Mom Groups Say' subreddit, as well as with Samantha Scroggin, the founder of the 'Walking Outside in Slippers' parenting blog. Check out what they had to say below to pick up some great advice.
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"In my experience with online parenting communities, it's best to abide by the rules posted in these groups. Usually, that means no selling anything and no foul language, at a minimum. I generally try to be patient with people and open to different viewpoints, but it's aggravating when people are acting ignorant or spreading misinformation. In those cases, I try to give evidence of the facts without personal attacks," parenting blogger Samantha said.
Samantha used to be a professional journalist and is now a public information officer which means that she's very wary of fake facts. "Parents will make all kinds of claims in parenting groups online, including that vaccines are harmful. They'll recommend all sorts of remedies. But it's up to us to seek out reputable sources of information to help us make our own decisions on what's best for our kids," she warned that we have to do proper research instead of believing every bit of advice that we find online.
"I think we should reserve judgment of others' parenting styles when the actions taken are harmful to the child. And I realize what is harmful is open to interpretation. But if no one is being abused, let's have some grace for one another and the choices we make. Each child is different, and parents often know what works best for their child. Parenting is hard, and we can use as much support as we can get," she added.
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Meanwhile, a lot of the subreddit's moderators pitched in to answer Bored Panda's questions. The mods explained that mom groups can sometimes be full of potentially dangerous misinformation, a desire to make money off more naive parents, and perpetuating "toxic rhetoric with zero consequences." The community also calls out those online groups that fanatically believe they're raising their kids "The Right Way" and anyone not doing so is a bad parent.
"The biggest lies are the coordinated lies spread in these groups on new parents at a vulnerable point of their lives. These women don’t need essential oils, or colloidal silver, they need paid family leave, affordable post-Partum care, health equities," one moderator explained. "New parents can be as dramatic as they want to be, they’re sleep-deprived and scared and have bills piling up and a new baby. Parental groups are allowed to be dramatic, they reflect the rawest human nature at one of the most 'precious' and yet frighteningly lonesome, most physically and mentally demanding, moments of our lives."
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Gay Satanic Clowns
My version of a bible thumper is where I grab the biggest one I can find and thump dumb idiots with it..while cheering on the gay satanic clowns..
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That is literally word for word what I was going to comment lol
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I wish people would just read the Satanic Bible or read what the Temple of Satan does. Satanism is a very healthy anti religion that makes you ask questions and try a different point of view.
'Gay Satanic Clowns', the movie you didn't know you wanted, until a Karen was offended by normal human beings!
Pretty much any Dateline or Discover ID presentation of John Wayne Gacy
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When she wrote 'I asked to speak to a manager', I immediately knew who she was.
Just putting it out there but not all of us Christians are like this. It's just that these kinda people get more publicity.
Am I the only one that lowkey wants "Gay Satanic Clowns" to be the next Neflix series?
A picture of the Gay Satanic Clown would have been appreciated- I haven't seen one before.
Can we make it a cult? With robes and ceremonies?
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I like how she capitalized “Gay Satanic Clowns” but not “the lord”.
You might also want to consider a spell-checker. The "savoir" missed a few oopsies in your retarded brain-fart-speech.
I hate this lady as much as the next guy but I gotta ask you not to use the r-slur as it has a history of being used to harass people with mental illness. Thanks.
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I want a savoir. Except I enjoy the musical stylings of Satanism and the Homosexuals...
I booked them for my wedding. Great band. I suspect a few folks crashed just to join the conga line.
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This sounds like a troll tbh. Plus Hot Topic hasn’t even had much occult-y stuff in it for years, it’s mostly just meme shirts and Harry Potter sweaters.
I'm a Christian and I'm 99.999999% sure that the Bible says nothing about clowns lol
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Oh lord have mercy. When I worked at the Hot Topic in Charlotte, NC we had a Bible shop as our neighbor. Every day we had to sweep up the Jesus pamphlets that they would sneak into our folded shirts. Pretty fun having "You Satanists are all going to hell!" screamed outside our front gates by fellow mall employees once per week too. #goingtohell
OK GUYS GOD LOVES ALL EVEN GAYS MKAY DAVID WAY BI AVVORDIN TO RESERCH AND THAT BIT IN THE BIBLE ABOUT NO GAY WAS MISTRANSLATED
ohhh i love hot topic!!!!!! I just got some new earrings from there
Ah yes, "The homosexuals". An alien race whose only purpose is to make our frogs gay until they go into extinction. 😔 obviously, a current problem, as we all know they release homosexual chemicals in the air that gives us better fashion style and an obsession with glitter🙄
I have the PERFECT, HOLY solution to this situation.... KEEP YOUR "HOLIER THAN THOU, I MUST SAVE THE MASSES FROM THEMSELVES!" ASS FAR AWAY FROM THEM!!
But then how would they prove they're holier than thou? You'd never see them doing something good for someone likely so they have to show they're "good" somehow
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Gay satanic clowns... if my bisexual butt ever starts a band that's totally what it's being named >:D Thanks Karen
If "the good lord" is your "savoir," you have more problems than your small, warped mind.
Isn’t it the same “god” that created those all edged “gay satanic clowns” this dumb c*nt speaks of? Cant wait for her kid to get knocked up at 16 cause she’s so bloody repressed and their religion is anti-abortion. All religions are cults and these by the word followers are the worst abusers of others in the name of their “religion”. I’m sure the rainbow coloured pierced manager was a lovely woman who works hard and doesn’t judge others based on their choice of fashion. I feel sorry for this freak who loves her life as a slave to words in a book and an invisible “man” who tells her how to life her life and judge others if they don’t look or act how she does. Ten to one she’s an overweight miserable hillbilly who has too many kids and too little brain cells.
I would rather live a town of Gay Satanic Clowns than live next door to that woman.
Hahahaha sure poisoning the mind of our kids... He was such a nice boy until he walked into "the hot topic" and became a gay satainic clown. Lol people are nuckin futs
Damn it, Karen, now I want to go hang out with a store full of Gay Satanic Clowns!
Speaking as a Christian, this lady's whole speech is embarrassing. I like to go to Hot Topic and I like to go to the store Spencer's. Being Christian, doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a walk on the wild side. Also there's not anything that terrible about these stores unless you have live on a cult commune for several years.
omg no !!!! ay people!! runnnnn!!!!!! and omg goth styled clothing!!!! oh nooo!!
Gassp *is offended* does she mean anime? And what’s wrong with homosexuals?! Bad move Karen I have been attacked on two levels. Probably a lot of others too RIP :,(
So first of all "you guy's" does not need a freaking apostrophe. Second, I'm a woman of faith and she makes me feel sick. I am a Christian who is way too liberal for this right wing excuse for a woman of faith. Just want to say that I DO NOT share this woman's opinions about sexual orientation. I fully support LGBTQ+ xxx
Let me see here... I think my copy of the Necronomicon has something on this.
She’s not wrong about the satanic clothing though. I bought a pair of shorts by Blackmagic Cult there and they’re covered in pentagrams. They’re my favorite.
2 great band name ideas from this post alone--Satanism and the Homosexuals; Gay Satanic Clowns
hey, but also little pop figure of Carrie Underwood is so salutary for yr kids mind...
I don't completely agree with this lady. But just think about this. Most female clothes are made to have them look almost like hookers. Looking pretty is one thing looking slutty is another. The tops are so revealing or too low cut. The pants are so tight all over that they look painted on. Young girls shouldn't especially fat girls be wearing clothes like that. They don't have any reason to show off at such an early age especially when men that just got released from prison or the ones who are future pedophiles/rapist are out there. People in America think, I have rights. Just because the laws say you can't rape women that they're safe. Criminals and mentally ill are out there and people usually can't determine if they are one of those predators. It's happened everywhere and even in small towns that people said nothing like that ever happens here. Well it does happen more than you think. You wouldn't go in a high crime ghetto showing off a bundle $, same with dressing provocative.
I have never entered a Hot Topic, bit if they promise a Gay Satanic Clown in every one, I swear that I will not only enter it, but also buy something!
I much prefer Gay Satanic Clowns over Evangelicals-they are more human.
IS THIS REAL??? Sometimes I just don't know what in America is real, or are they always kidding us? What the fish is wrong with this people?
I'm just sad that we don't have hot topics in the U.K. It sounds like my type of shop.
i am a christian and i say we should not persecute the LGBTQ community God said to love everybody who you want to be with is who you want to be with whether you're gay lesbian bi I don't care we love who we love
I am religious and just have to say that is NOT the right way to act, just because they don't look like you don't mean there satanic
My oppinion as a theologian: Christians in the U.S. should name their crazy conservative religion by a new name instead of making the rest of us be ashamed to belong to the same church. Being an anti-science jerk is not being a good christian. Following Jesus means loving, not judging.
As a woman of faith I find that Gay Satanic colourful-haired make wonderful, respectful clients.
Reminds me if the first time my friend took me into a Hot Topic. I was an extremely sheltered "Christian" kid (the parentheses are because I was still trying to believe). She said I had the most freaked out look on my face. I can say I don't have that same reaction. It's more along the lines of disgust because everything in there's crap.
I will stay there and keep sifting through pins, contributing to the blood sacrifice with every finger prick
I am very curious exactly what aspects of the store she felt were "gay" and which were "satanic." Were any of them both?
This has to be a deliberate spoof? Or otherwise, why don't we have shops full of Gay Satanic Clowns in the UK???? That would bring the high street back to life.
I’m going to start a band just so I can name them Gay Satanic Clowns
I don't think even Satan wants to fck with clowns.
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So much judgement in one comment. Gay satanic clowns. Wow.
As a Christian and someone who doesn't agree with homosexuality, this is literally the stupidest thing I've ever read.
Jesus Christ said that people that preached His gospel would be ridiculed. I was taught this as a child. As a child I really thought, "Yeah right. Why would anyone give people a hard time that were just speaking the truth? This is something that everyone has heard about, right?" I now know that Christ was right. But I still don't really get it. Why are people ridiculing someone over their religious beliefs?
"Poisoning the minds of children" is Christianity's thing — don't tread on their toes!
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The moderator continued: "So when people enter their lives promising a listening ear, a magical solution, and then shame them for breastfeeding or not breastfeeding, for co-sleeping, or sleep training, or not using magical amber teething beads, or for choosing vaccinations, then those are the heinous people that need to be shamed. They are actively manipulating people with a phony agenda and they need to be called out.”
Another moderator told Bored Pand that what inspired them to start the subreddit in the first place was the overall culture in mom groups that pushed their personal parenting philosophies as the one and only way to parent.
"These groups (like Cherry Universal, with specific subgroups for the crunchy moms and the sanctimonious moms) focus on preaching their way of parenting and viciously attack anyone who doesn’t fall in line. They’re a bigger problem for society too. Do you want to know where the anti-masking movement started? Look at posts from March-May of 2020 in crunchy mom groups. They push and perpetuate vaccine misinformation and an overall general mistrust of science and they use shame, groupthink, and banning to enforce their beliefs."
*stares In Cps*
Imagine being their friend and she invites you over for chili. HELL NO!!
However, the mod pointed out that far from every single mom group is bad. "Our birth month group, for example, has been the saving grace of my journey into parenthood. I have a cohort of parents who all have a child at the same age as mine. It’s a great way to get a quick pulse on typical development and also just feel generally supported, validated, challenged to be a better parent or find different and better ways to parent in a shame-free environment. I have a virtual village and that is just really incredible."
They continued: "To be really honest, it was how supportive I found my birth month group to be that sent me out in search of additional groups. My infant won’t eat baby food—oh, maybe I should check out this baby-led weaning group for ideas! (It was great, by the way.) But then when we started stumbling onto other groups that were just cesspools of negativity, abuse, bullying, etc, we learned about the subculture of 'mommy drama groups' and decided to bring it out into the public eye."
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We’ve written extensively about how to be a great parent and how to help your kids become independent. And, considering that there still are (and always will be) plenty of parents out there who either stifle their kids or who constantly exhaust themselves, the advice bodes repeating.
Anita Cleare, a parenting expert and the author of ‘The Work/Parent Switch,’ explained to Bored Panda in a previous interview all about how to overcome the desire to be a ‘perfect’ parent and how to stay positive when we’re all way, way too exhausted.
According to parenting expert Cleare, aiming to be a ‘perfect’ parent is the wrong way to go about things. This does more harm than good because it puts lots of unreachable expectations and undue pressure on both parents and children alike.
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“Trying to be a perfect parent is bad for children and bad for parents because it sets everybody up to fail. Research shows that ‘good enough’ parenting is best for children,” Cleare explained.
Instead, the expert suggests that all parents aim for ‘good enough’ parenting that actually helps improve our kids’ independence instead of them being overly-reliant on us.
In Cleare’s words, this involves “getting it right most of the time but also failing your children in ways they can handle—so that they gradually increase their independence.”
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According to parenting expert Cleare, “Great parents make mistakes but they try to learn from them (and not to repeat them too often!).”
No matter your parenting style, you can’t do much if you’re overworked and exhausted. That means that looking after yourself is priority number one. If you put yourself last, you’re not doing your kids any favors, Cleare told Bored Panda.
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“Even when you are really busy, try to find regular 5-20 minute breaks in your day when you can relax, practice some mindfulness, or do something joyful,” she said.
“Looking for the positives really does increase positivity,” the parenting expert added, suggesting that we try to maintain positive mindsets by being grateful and thinking about, for example, the 3 things that we’re glad to have in our lives.
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Meanwhile, Lenore Skenazy, the president of the Let Grow nonprofit that aims to promote kids’ independence and fights overprotection, explained to us that children’s confidence grows when they know that others believe in them.
“A teacher, coach, grandparent, or, of course, parent who thinks you are terrific and ready to wow the world can make all the difference in the world,” Skenazy said, pointing out that when the support’s not there, it can have negative consequences on the child. So it’s important to balance support while also letting kids develop their independence.
According to Skenazy, how a parent tells their kids something is often more important than what they tell them to do. Kids take cues from grownups, so even phrasing something differently or using a different tone can have positive effects even if the topic that’s being talked about is far from pleasant.
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“The best way to make sure that a child starting out in the world feels like their parents believe in them—rather than simply being fed up—is for the parent to make it explicit!” Skenazy explained that this is how parents can communicate to their kids that it’s time to be more independent.
The expert also highlighted that telling the child that you’ll always love them, even though they’re becoming more independent is a healthy, mature way of communicating with them. However, that relies heavily on the parents themselves learning to loosen their grips on their kids and setting the bar for their expectations lower (which, maybe counterintuitively, leads to healthier, happier families).
So, dear Readers, what did you think of this list? Were there any pics that made you go, “Wow, that’s enough internet for me today?” Where do you think the line between being a good and a bad parent lies? What’s the best way to avoid drama on parent groups on social media? Share your thoughts and feelings in the comment section below. And remember, stay excellent!
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Bruh this child is going to have self-esteem issues if the parents continue to do this all the way up to adult stage.
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I think they're called shamans, but I don't think they believe in Jesus :/
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