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50 Posts From Toxic Parents Who Simply Shouldn’t Have Had Kids, Shared On This Online Community
Let’s face it, parenting is one of the biggest challenges that we’ll ever have to face in our lives. It’s right up there alongside fighting off an alien invasion, surviving a zombie apocalypse, rocket science, and plugging in a USB cable on the first try. So it’s no wonder that most parents are less than perfect. In fact, it’s pretty much the norm.
However, they’re nowhere near the level that some of the parents featured on the ‘Parents Are Effing Dumb’ subreddit are. There, you’ll find some of the biggest fails that will make you gasp, shout “think of the children!”, and think about taking these people’s parenting license away. Remember to buckle up and upvote the pics that made your jaw drop as you scroll down the rollercoaster that is this descent into parenting weirdness.
When it comes to parenting, both extremes—absolute perfectionism/trying to be a ‘perfect’ parent and not trying hard enough—can be harmful to the family. And while it’s very clear what bad parenting is, perfectionism is more insidious and sneaky and can actually end up being just as harmful as actual neglect or ignorance, though in a very different way. We spoke about the pitfalls of this with an expert in the field of psychology.
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I'm Sorry, What??
He’s Not Wrong
My Family Does This To Me All The Time, And Each Time I Tell Them It Discourages Me But They Still Do It
Emma Morton, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, explained to Bored Panda the pitfalls of perfectionist thinking and how it spreads to many areas of a person’s life, contributing to poor mental health and even depression.
Believing that you should (or even that you can) be a so-called ‘perfect’ parent is actually detrimental to your health. What’s more, the belief that you can control every single outcome can spread to other areas of your life, not just parenting.
How Could She Not Know How Antlers Work?
And I Know That From Home
Me Getting My Vaccinations After My Mother Refused For Me To Have Them
I love when teenagers actually start to think for themselves, and not just repeating what they parents think
“When we set excessive and inflexible high standards for ourselves and become self-critical about not meeting those, perfectionism can become a problem for our mental health and potentially contribute to depression or suicidal thoughts,” researcher Morton said.
Actually What The F**k
She Is Insane
That’s just the same as smashing down a Lego set, or destroying paintings, or any other project. It’s destroying property! And hours and hours of care and passion.
Very Not Cool
“Perfectionism is a very insidious problem—even if someone achieves great success in their personal or professional life, negative thinking patterns lead them to be highly self-critical, focus on perceived mistakes, or mentally discount their achievements,” Morton detailed that a perfectionist mindset dims even the biggest victories when we tend to laser-in on the various real and imagined flaws.
Oh Dear Mom
Tweet Says It All
What If The Neighbors Had Dogs
The anxiety surrounding perfectionism is just as much about personal pride as it is about the desire to be respected and liked by others. “People who struggle with perfectionism may worry that they will be judged for their perceived failures, feel that they are inadequate for needing help, or assume they will be a burden on their family and friends,” she said, adding that this can make perfectionists especially vulnerable mentally and emotionally.
Please Show Support To The Op On His Post Since His Parents Surely Won't
Can’t Imagine What That Kid Has To Deal With
Wow Just Wow
As such, it’s very important that parents who make mistakes with their kids don’t overcorrect and land in the ‘perfectionist’ zone. Similarly, any parents who realize that they’re being inflexible with their standards and are overly critical of their and their kids’ (real or perceived) faults need to learn to hold back and allow room for (at least some) failure. After all, learning to deal with failure and drawing wisdom from our mistakes is what being human is all about. One thing's for sure, though: nobody wants to be that parent who ends up on 'Parents Are Effing Dumb.'
Drip Or Drown
Imagine... Uggh
Oh god, there should be laws against this sort of "family youtube" thing. Using your kids for views and cash is revolting.
Parents Theory
"Those Japanese cartoons are too violent. Here, watch this documentary about the genocide in Vendée on the French-German channel."
Bad Parenting
Florida Teen Dies From Covid-19 After Mom Takes Her To Church “Covid Party”
Atleast One Person In The Comments Had The Sense To Tell Her To Call A Doctor! This Is Too Much
Taking A Picture Instead Of Saving Your Child
Mum Is Angry At Her Child For Growing
Another Great Example Of Dumb Parents
Only took this picture for my lawyer. Oh, and the internet and the world.
Wtf
Old people think they are gods, they always think they are always right about everything. Edit : not all of them, obviously, but it is more like a general tendency.
Big Brain Logic
I can see the composite in my head now from all I've seen that I couldn't stop: "how many times must I tell you *name*?! We *smack* don't *smack* hit *smack* people *wrenches kid away by the arm*
Mint Drugs
Family Had Symptoms Of Covid But Sent Child To School Regardless
My Parents Think This Is A Cute Decoration
My MIL collects golli-dolls. I asked her mother (my wife's grandmother) about it a few years back. She told me that after the war, they were left with nothing, rationing was the only thing keeping them fed. She was out begging one day with her infant child (my MIL) and someone gave her a golli doll and she has kept it ever since. The doll, to my MIL, was the first and only gift she would receive as a child and holds huge sentimentality, if her house caught fire, she would try to save them, before her husband. She knows and understands why they are racist, but for her, they represent something else, kindness, charity, safety and childhood.
Found This On Facebook
Woke Up And Saw My Door Removed By My Parents. I Asked Them "Why?" And They Replied With "Privacy Isn't Necessary"
My parents didn't take my door, but they had the same attitude to privacy. They still do.
Tell Me Why
Sorry If Repost
Let Me Just Punish My Kid For Being Depressed Instead Of Trying To Deal With It
It's A Repost
Everyone Is Fine Today And No Bad Habits Were Formed
Well, He Tried
My Dad Needs To Stay Off The Internet
We Know Everything About You
That Kid Is Like 1
Cement burns and irritates skin- the kid needs to be washed off immediately. Whoever took the photo and/or stood watching this is a nunt
I Did It
It's true I remember getting cigarettes for my mum when I was around 7 years old, and when they changed the law I went with a note from my mum.
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It was no big deal. You had a note from your mom, and they gave you the cigs. It was a different time then, and really not that scandalous. It's not like the clerk made you smoke one before selling them to you. It was actually pretty nice to grow up in a time when things like this that weren't causing harm to anyone weren't freaked out over by people looking to get offended by anything.
60 years ago it was a lot different. Prior to that people sent their kids to saloons with buckets to buy beer. Do not judge the past. Learn from it but don't judge it, it is a waste of time and a totally irrelevant act. Remember, the past is dead, YOU are responsible for now and the future.
My sister-in-law, who I adore, says she will not apologize for anything more than three years in the past. It's just not productive.
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I used to go for my mum. This was in the 1980's. She used to give me a note saying she gave permission for me to buy cigarettes for her. I have never smoked fyi especially after my grandfather died from lung cancer after smoking roll ups all his life. Mum now no longer smokes either but has developed bad asthma due to her smoking.
did that all the time as a kid. never thought anything about it, neither did any of the other kids who were doing the same thing for their folks.
Good thing to do prevents dad from going out to "grab some cigs" and never coming back lul
I started working in a drug store when I was 14. Kids too young to even read would come in with a note and some money to buy cigarettes for their parents. I'd fill the order, put the change in the bag and give it to the kid. Today, we would all be arrested for that. Then, it was thought of as normal.
I did. At seven. With a note. On the plus side, I got to keep the change and buy candy from the "penny candy box". Good times the 60's were. 😁
What does this have to do with bad parenting? Got my mom smokes and got a lollipop for it. The shop was ~50m from my home and I could go in from the back, so no need to leave the courtyard.
I got to pick up the old man's jazz mag too! Lucky 11 year old me! Not.
When I was in 4th grade (about 9) my teacher used to send me to the shops, which were almost a mile from the school, during the day, to buy her cigarettes. I look back on it and just shake my head, on so many levels.
I did, all the neighborhood kids did for their parents, at the neighborhood store whose owner knew us by name. Different times
our local store used to sell single cigarettes to school-aged kids for 20 cents each. Whole packets were under a dollar then!
I always wondered how age was determined when cigarettes were bought from a dispenser machine. I guess that's why they aren't around any more.
I got my dad lottery tickets a few times. That wouldn't fly anymore, even in our small town. But back then, people didn't abuse the system (as much? lol).
I did it all the time. They were 25 cents/pack. My mom smoked 5 pks/day so I did it often. No one thought a thing about it.
I was sent to the corner market to buy cigarettes for my parents and when I was big enough to carry a six pack of Coors I was sent to fetch that too! I was in elementary school...
I was 11 the last time I bought mum a pack of 12 Benson and Hedges, after she sent me to the store to buy them.
Yes. Mom would write a note. Younger sister and I would walk to the gas station and get the cigarettes. This was in the 1960's. Just a note: Mom's doctor told her to start smoking because she was quite nervous and this would help her relax.
I could barely see over the counter and bought cigs for my dad. It was in the '50s and no laws against it.
I was sent all the time. But never smoked, our house always had a cloud of smoke it was awful.
Me Too! Viceroy's for my Mom and Camels for my Dad. We also pulled a red wagon with a bunch of pepsi bottles and turned them in for refund money to buy candy with.
Every day during the summer of 1988, out of a vending machine, for my babysitter lol!
Man, if that’s your biggest gripe about your parents, you had it made!!
The shop owner knew who I was, and the brand my dad smoked. It was the early 80s. We didnt have seatbelts in the back of our car. Smokes didnt seem much of an issue.
I did. But we had a crooked cop in our neighborhood, who sold untaxed ones. He never got caught either.
Oh yes I did. When there were no cigarettes left at home, I saw my lovely parents become evil due to their addiction. This disgusted me from smoking for my entire life. They finally quit smoking afterwards.
Totally did this for my grandmother at the store down the street. She would always call first, though. 🤣
Better this than your mom or dad going to the store for cigs for you
haha I remember when i was 15-16 my father sent me to buy matches for All saints day as in my country we celebrate it by liting a candle for our dearest who are deceased and everyone goes to the cemeterie(s) to lit a candle.the shop assistent didnt want to sell the matches to me and she said i was too young to smoke ( i didnt smoke and neither did my parents and I never smoked actually) she said she would tell my father. i was like i told you he sent me here??? i think she sold it to me at the end but wtf was wrong with her
I was born in 95 and did it from maybe 10 until 17 for my mom so not long ago, no one ever said "no" and I'm pretty sure kids are still doing it nowadays (France). It's seems pretty accepted here ^^. But I remember that as a little kid I used to dislike it and think that I should call on them for selling cigarettes to underage kids XD. Wish I did!
Born in 1983, I was 6 when my grandpa regularly sent us to buy cigarettes for him. It was never a big deal. We knew how the box looked like, had the money, end of story. Back then it wasn't bad parenting at all, and we saw no difference between going to buy them cigarettes or a bag of milk.
I did in the 70's for both ciggies and booze, I was 8. Oh howtimes have changed now my daughter sends mme out for booze. ;o) (she's 22 now)
Yep. My mom sent me with a note that included her phone number. Recently (over 30 years later) she told me she wishes she had never done that. She said that, in retrospect, she thinks it was wrong to have me do that. I mean, I don't think it scarred me or anything but,.... she's probably right. ;)
Not my mom, but for my grandma, when we'd go to Pennsylvania for vacation to see her. I'd never remember what kind she smoked, and could barely see over the counter, and I would tell them that I needed cigarettes for my grandma, and they'd ask me what her name was, and I'd say "Elsie," and they knew exactly who, and what she wanted.
I was often given change to go to the cigarette machine in the diner and buy cigarettes for my parents. Nothing like the taste of french toast in the smoking section!
My mom would write a note for us to take so we could get them for her. There were also unregulated cigarette vending machines everywhere.
we used to go for beer with a jug to local pub. It was normal, every family did that. The bartender knew everyone, he usually gave us lollipops or candies as we waited for the beer.
We all did that in the 70's. Isn't it amazing we lived through it?
Modern Names From Modern Parents... Parent Stupidity
7yo Gets Bullied At School For Sitting In A Car Seat, So Mom Waits Until He's Asleep, Takes A Photo Of Him, And Posts It On The Official Parents Magazine Instagram Page (855k Followers)
I think this person is actually evil. Maybe she will learn her lesson when she is not invited to his wedding, never meets her grandchildren, and is cremated in the cheapest casket and thrown away in the nearest lake with just a small prayer and two flowers.
We’re In A Crowded Terminal And This Toddler Wouldn’t Stop Crying And Screaming, So Her Mom Gave Her A Whistle To Play With
Yes, The Problem Is Definitely Not That You Gave A Phone To A 2 Year Old!
Ou Mama!
Sad We Have To Create Something So We Don’t Forget Children
If you 'never understand' why people make mistakes, you're another reason why people think they could never make a mistake, don't use any kind of failsafe, make a mistake, and have dire consequences.
My Son Likes To Do Something He Likes And He Deserves It, But Doesn't Need It. What Should I Do?
You could teach him the valuable lesson that, no matter how hard he works and how good he follows rules, people with power (you in that case) will never let him see a reward for it, let alone have some time to relax and recharge. That will teach him a lot about life. Or push him to burnout/suicide and stuff.
Nice Name
This Mom Be Like "I Wonder Why My Kids Don't Confide In Me For Anything?"
Note: this post originally had 95 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
A lot of these left me speechless with horror. Some people really should not have children. Or be near children. Or be near anyone at all.
I will say one sentence, ten words about that I think of this: all children deserve parents, but not all parents deserve children.
I just got into an argument with my mom. It goes: Me: *minding my own business on break and testing out my old raspberry pi 2* (Hag): WTFH ARE YOU DOING YOU B*TCH? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING HOMEWORKING AND STUDYING FOR ALL OF YOUR FINALS!!!! Me: Mom, I'm just finishing up some extra homework for digital electronics, and plus, the only final I have left is my math, and it's easy and open notes. (HAG): I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY EXCUSES YOU BASTARD! YOUR GRADES ARE TRASH AND YOU'RE STILL HERE PLAYING VIDEO GAMES ON THAT COMPUTER?* *BTW, My grades are average 96, and the Raspberry Pi2 has 1 GB Ram and can barely access the internet. Me: WTH? I'm just minding my own business and you just came out of nowhere and started yelling at me? I'm supposed to eating lunch right now anyway? Why all the fuss? (HAG): WHY? BECAUSE I SAID SO! SO DO IT YOU MOTHERF*CKER!! And basically, that's my everyday life. It's sh*t. Usually I don't swear a lot on the internet, but I just have to vent my anger!
It just kills me that I couldn't have children, but look at all the idiots who can. I've got to go back and read the grandparents one again so I quit crying.
Me too. I wish I could run a home where everyone can come and escape from those environments, finish school or college and get ready for uni or work in a safe space. I wanted to foster, but I’m chronically ill now so can just about look after myself! 😬
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My ex-g/f was genuinely a great person, who worked fulltime to support herself as she worked towards her degree in a related field, went to church and was never a burden on her parents. However, she was the 'bad daughter' because she spent time with me and her friends instead of with them 100% of the time. Meanwhile, her sister barely worked, got pregnant out of wed lock, then married the guy because "they were in love", had two more kids, got divorced, and lives at home with her three kids is the "good daughter" because she has nothing going on with her life, kids aside, so spends all her time with them. I never understood it and while we argued once or twice over years about it, it didnt really affect us but i just dont get it.
My childhood was pretty monstrous. I won't bother you with details, but whatever bad thing you can imagine happening to a child, I had some of that. The reason I say this is that I know what it feels like to think that being totally alone in the world is better than being with the people you are forced to be around, but feeling alone leaves you totally lost and empty. I am now well into adulthood, and I have made a good life for myself. I have dealt with my horrible past and have moved beyond it. I am a happy person. If there is someone out there feeling like they are living a nightmare, and nothing can ever change, if there is someone out there thinking they can't go on anymore, I just want you to know that life DOES change, and it DOES get better, and the second you are an adult (or like me, can get legally emancipated and live independently from the age of 16), the world is a very, very different place. Do not despair. Do not give up. There is hope. You are not alone.
This post has made me want to be the best parent I can be for my kids. At the same time, it's open my eyes to people who should be sterilized
My dad is a racist and when I try to talk to him about it, he says that it's public school's fault. Then, he blames my friends for the way I think about politics. My mom constantly yells at me for no reason and then my parents get mad at me for not smiling, showing, my emotions, or talking to them. I know its not as bad as other stuff on here, but I still can't wait to move out. My 22 yo sister is a better mom. I'm 14 btw
Need y'alls opinion on something, k? POV: You're a fourteen-year-old girl. Your dad just picked you up from an activity and it's around 10:30 PM. You're in the bad, sketchy part of town where it's not safe for most people to walk around at night. Your dad pulls into a gas station in his bright red BMW with you inside. He inserts the gas pump, tells you to take it out if it finishes before he gets back, and goes inside the gas station, leaving the car doors unlocked. The area is far from empty. There is a man smoking weed thirty feet from the entrance and another one filling his car up across from you. Would it be wrong for me to say I feared for my safety because anyone could have stolen the car(again, red BMW) and/or kidnapped me easily? Am I overreacting? Please let me know(this was about seven months ago).
You were probably safe... actually if it is busy you are safer. BUT NEVER sit in an unlocked car! Lock those doors and he can get the gas pump himself.
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These parents sucked and I feel so terrible for their children. I wish I could help them all get out of this situation even though I'm probably not older than some of them.
These poor children need help and those parents need to not be parents 🥺🥺🥺🥺
A few of these were funny but most of them made me feel like "Mother of the Year."
As someone who had an abusive mother these make me sad because i can relate.
I would watch YouTube during school at the beginning of the year but still got all my work done and maintained straight As. I'm currently baned from YouTube and have been for about six months cause my parents found out. I know this isn't that bad and I've had worse "parenting" moments but yeah.
These parents are just a Who's Who of Human Crap. One of the many reasons I chose to not have kids is because of the s**t I experienced as a child, a teen, and an adult. I hope each of these "kids" (young or adult), knows how valuable they are and how worthwhile they are to their pets, friends, other family members who DON'T abuse them. Hugs to everyone who has been hurt and who still hurts. I understand.
when i was 13 yo i had a drawing of a landscape or something destroyed by my little cousin. he was 5. i told my mom about it because it took a long time to make, and my mom just said "it's OK, he's only 5 years old and he doesnt understand yet." i was about to shoot back with "says the person who confuses 'chemistry' with 'chemical' " (my mom doesn't speak English that well) but i know that there's no point in talking back cuz apparently i'm the least favourite child anyway
Yes, there are some classic examples of Grade A stupidity here, but not all of them. A lot of what you're calling "toxic parenting" was just normal when I was a kid, and you know what? Most of us turned out just fine. As Bob Dylan said, don't criticize what you can't understand.
Two vaccine posts barely into the article. No thanks. I've heard all I want to about that
A lot of these left me speechless with horror. Some people really should not have children. Or be near children. Or be near anyone at all.
I will say one sentence, ten words about that I think of this: all children deserve parents, but not all parents deserve children.
I just got into an argument with my mom. It goes: Me: *minding my own business on break and testing out my old raspberry pi 2* (Hag): WTFH ARE YOU DOING YOU B*TCH? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING HOMEWORKING AND STUDYING FOR ALL OF YOUR FINALS!!!! Me: Mom, I'm just finishing up some extra homework for digital electronics, and plus, the only final I have left is my math, and it's easy and open notes. (HAG): I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY EXCUSES YOU BASTARD! YOUR GRADES ARE TRASH AND YOU'RE STILL HERE PLAYING VIDEO GAMES ON THAT COMPUTER?* *BTW, My grades are average 96, and the Raspberry Pi2 has 1 GB Ram and can barely access the internet. Me: WTH? I'm just minding my own business and you just came out of nowhere and started yelling at me? I'm supposed to eating lunch right now anyway? Why all the fuss? (HAG): WHY? BECAUSE I SAID SO! SO DO IT YOU MOTHERF*CKER!! And basically, that's my everyday life. It's sh*t. Usually I don't swear a lot on the internet, but I just have to vent my anger!
It just kills me that I couldn't have children, but look at all the idiots who can. I've got to go back and read the grandparents one again so I quit crying.
Me too. I wish I could run a home where everyone can come and escape from those environments, finish school or college and get ready for uni or work in a safe space. I wanted to foster, but I’m chronically ill now so can just about look after myself! 😬
Load More Replies... My ex-g/f was genuinely a great person, who worked fulltime to support herself as she worked towards her degree in a related field, went to church and was never a burden on her parents. However, she was the 'bad daughter' because she spent time with me and her friends instead of with them 100% of the time. Meanwhile, her sister barely worked, got pregnant out of wed lock, then married the guy because "they were in love", had two more kids, got divorced, and lives at home with her three kids is the "good daughter" because she has nothing going on with her life, kids aside, so spends all her time with them. I never understood it and while we argued once or twice over years about it, it didnt really affect us but i just dont get it.
My childhood was pretty monstrous. I won't bother you with details, but whatever bad thing you can imagine happening to a child, I had some of that. The reason I say this is that I know what it feels like to think that being totally alone in the world is better than being with the people you are forced to be around, but feeling alone leaves you totally lost and empty. I am now well into adulthood, and I have made a good life for myself. I have dealt with my horrible past and have moved beyond it. I am a happy person. If there is someone out there feeling like they are living a nightmare, and nothing can ever change, if there is someone out there thinking they can't go on anymore, I just want you to know that life DOES change, and it DOES get better, and the second you are an adult (or like me, can get legally emancipated and live independently from the age of 16), the world is a very, very different place. Do not despair. Do not give up. There is hope. You are not alone.
This post has made me want to be the best parent I can be for my kids. At the same time, it's open my eyes to people who should be sterilized
My dad is a racist and when I try to talk to him about it, he says that it's public school's fault. Then, he blames my friends for the way I think about politics. My mom constantly yells at me for no reason and then my parents get mad at me for not smiling, showing, my emotions, or talking to them. I know its not as bad as other stuff on here, but I still can't wait to move out. My 22 yo sister is a better mom. I'm 14 btw
Need y'alls opinion on something, k? POV: You're a fourteen-year-old girl. Your dad just picked you up from an activity and it's around 10:30 PM. You're in the bad, sketchy part of town where it's not safe for most people to walk around at night. Your dad pulls into a gas station in his bright red BMW with you inside. He inserts the gas pump, tells you to take it out if it finishes before he gets back, and goes inside the gas station, leaving the car doors unlocked. The area is far from empty. There is a man smoking weed thirty feet from the entrance and another one filling his car up across from you. Would it be wrong for me to say I feared for my safety because anyone could have stolen the car(again, red BMW) and/or kidnapped me easily? Am I overreacting? Please let me know(this was about seven months ago).
You were probably safe... actually if it is busy you are safer. BUT NEVER sit in an unlocked car! Lock those doors and he can get the gas pump himself.
Load More Replies... These parents sucked and I feel so terrible for their children. I wish I could help them all get out of this situation even though I'm probably not older than some of them.
These poor children need help and those parents need to not be parents 🥺🥺🥺🥺
A few of these were funny but most of them made me feel like "Mother of the Year."
As someone who had an abusive mother these make me sad because i can relate.
I would watch YouTube during school at the beginning of the year but still got all my work done and maintained straight As. I'm currently baned from YouTube and have been for about six months cause my parents found out. I know this isn't that bad and I've had worse "parenting" moments but yeah.
These parents are just a Who's Who of Human Crap. One of the many reasons I chose to not have kids is because of the s**t I experienced as a child, a teen, and an adult. I hope each of these "kids" (young or adult), knows how valuable they are and how worthwhile they are to their pets, friends, other family members who DON'T abuse them. Hugs to everyone who has been hurt and who still hurts. I understand.
when i was 13 yo i had a drawing of a landscape or something destroyed by my little cousin. he was 5. i told my mom about it because it took a long time to make, and my mom just said "it's OK, he's only 5 years old and he doesnt understand yet." i was about to shoot back with "says the person who confuses 'chemistry' with 'chemical' " (my mom doesn't speak English that well) but i know that there's no point in talking back cuz apparently i'm the least favourite child anyway
Yes, there are some classic examples of Grade A stupidity here, but not all of them. A lot of what you're calling "toxic parenting" was just normal when I was a kid, and you know what? Most of us turned out just fine. As Bob Dylan said, don't criticize what you can't understand.
Two vaccine posts barely into the article. No thanks. I've heard all I want to about that
