Have kids, they said. It'll be fun, they said. They lied. Well, sort of... The parenting journey is filled with loads of ups and downs. And while some of it is fun, a lot of it is chaotic, tiring, messy and unrelenting.
Often, the best way to survive is to just laugh your way through the drama. The dinner, dirty clothes and diapers can wait. We all know they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
If you're struggling through another day of repeating yourself 20 times, and just need a time out, you might have come to the right place. Bored Panda has scoured the net to find the most hilarious parenting tweets from the month of July. They're raw, relatable, honest and super funny posts from moms and dads who found a moment in their busy day to say exactly what was on their mind.
Feel free to hide in the bathroom as you scroll through them in peace. Just don't laugh too loud, or you-know-who is bound to come screaming for your attention!
This post may include affiliate links.
Need to train the mini dino to bring me cookies, too, when I'm on the loo
It pays to have a sense of humor while parenting. And not just for your own sanity. Experts say humor is an effective parenting tool and that a parent's use of humor impacts the quality of their relationship with their children.
According to one study, moms and dads who integrate a dose of laughter into their day have better bonds with their kids. The team from Penn State College of Medicine surveyed 312 people between the ages of 18 and 45.
"More than half said they were raised by people who used humor and 71.8% agreed that humor can be an effective parenting tool," reads the university's website. "The majority said they do or plan to use humor with their children and believe that it has more potential benefit than harm."
My kids were having a camp out in the hills. 16yr and 10yr. I wake up with such a jolt at 2.30am as I heard something hit their tent. 15 minutes later I get a call from the 16yr old saying something is outside their tent. We are in the UK so no predators, so perfectly safe. I still ended up walking to where they are camping at 3.00am to check on them. Perfectly safe and I saw the sun come up
“Humor can teach people cognitive flexibility, relieve stress, and promote creative problem solving and resilience,” explained senior author of the study, Benjamin Levi. The professor of pediatrics and humanities at Penn State College of Medicine added that he was brought up by parents who had a healthy funny bone.
“My father used humor and it was very effective," he said. "I use humor in my clinical practice and with my own children. The question became, 'how does one constructively use humor?'”
Was annoyed at my parents for sleeping in on the weekends. Still am, my kid never lets me sleep in
The experts say that when used appropriately, humor can change the dynamic of situations that are headed for conflict. And what parent-child relationship doesn't have conflict now and again?
The research paper explains that introducing an unexpected or surprise dose of humor can disrupt established patterns of behavior. This, in turn can promote "improvisation" and a different outcome.
"Imagine, for example, a toddler throwing a full-blown tantrum that continues to escalate despite efforts to calm them," reads the paper. "Here, humor as a parenting strategy might have the child’s parent declare 'OK, it’s my turn now,' and then dramatically throw their own tantrum."
The parent's actions catch the upset toddler by surprise. And many children will stop crying and instead, watch their mom or dad's stellar tantrum-performance. "As the parent’s ‘tantrum’ winds down, another adult can take their own turn throwing a tantrum," suggest the researchers.
"When it becomes the child’s turn again, they will typically resume tantruming as if they had never stopped. After a couple of rounds of this, the parent can clap their hands and say 'OK, let’s play a different game.'"
If they are healthy boundaries, they will understand and be ok with it. If they are arbitrary, they will eventually understand that too and realise you were just trying to exert authority to be a bully.
I have already decided if I have kids that want to go out anywhere loud or crowded, my sister is taking them. She actually volunteered. My mum was disappointed my brother and I weren't more outgoing as teenagers, but then my sister came along. Mum now complains because she (in her mid 20s) goes out too much, because she can't afford it and has to borrow money. I told her to just stop lending her the money, but that hasn't happened yet.
Luckily none of mine are, so I'm safe. My 18-yr-old son had to prep for an hour to call to internet support. LOL
The team explains that this type of playful disruption not only helps resolve tension, but also models creativity and flexibility of mind. And this is good for both parents and children.
"For parents, the irony of turning a tantrum into a game may provide psychological distance that helps parents relieve their own stress and respond more effectively," adds the paper.
“My hope is that people can learn to use humor as an effective parenting tool, not only to diffuse tension but develop resilience and cognitive and emotional flexibility in themselves and model it for their children,” said Levi.
but there's still the lingering fear they might wake at 4am to tell you, that you look tired
If I didn't complain, I would have no reliable way of knowing what I want out of life.
I'm with his son on this. Can always wash the pants you're wearing, but running out of books is bad.
yes, and soccer players need full body massage and oxygen tent to prep for overtime while 9-year old girl gymnasts ram the bar and still manage a 9.9 with two bruised eyes
I'm sorry, everything you have will always be a quarter short for build a bear.
Haha, my daughter found out that telling people I’m 29 earned her an inside smirk and imaginary money from me. She did it for years and had so much fun with. I’m 41 now and told her she has to start saying 39 for it to stay believable…
it's every morning's conclusion after the school run over coffee at work: My colleague and I are the only two people who can drive. Fact check me
This was nice. Need more like this. Not news stories I see on the regular news or celebrities post. I only care probably about 1/3 of PB post anymore.
When your kids are being quiet - you don't know whether to be pleased or nervous.
This was nice. Need more like this. Not news stories I see on the regular news or celebrities post. I only care probably about 1/3 of PB post anymore.
When your kids are being quiet - you don't know whether to be pleased or nervous.
