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For a duo to effectively function as one unit, its members don't have to be exactly alike (if it's even possible to have two identical people). Whether you look at Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen or Batman and Robin, complementary strengths are often the key to their success. The same goes for parents!
Online, we've found loads of pictures of moms and dads raising their kids in different ways, each trying to give them a rich, balanced childhood. So we decided to compile the sweetest and funniest examples into a fresh new list.
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#1
My Favourite Picture Of My Dad And I. The Expression On My Mom's Face Was Probably A Lot Different Than My Dad's
RELATED:
#2
Throwback To When My Mom Forgot To Submit My Senior Baby Ad For The Yearbook And Asked My Dad To Do It
At heart, moms and dads are trying to do the same thing. "As a psychologist who studies family relationships, I can tell you that a parent's No. 1 job is to keep their kids safe," writes Dr. Annie Pezalla, a professor at the University of St. Thomas who specializes in social identities, positive youth development, family relationships, and narratives in health.
And it's not easy.
"When a kid becomes a teenager, their world becomes more dangerous. Relationships with friends can become complicated and even toxic. [Substances] become more readily available and more tantalizing. Mental health can take a nosedive, and social media doesn't help," she says.
#3
Quality Time
The Majestic Opossum 1 month ago
Yikes, those rocks under that kids head just set off my mommy senses 😳
#4
Mums vs. Dads
#5
Came Home To This. How Long Do You Guys Think I Have And What Should I Do With All This Free Time?
Brian Droste 1 month ago
Be real quiet and sneak in the bathroom and take as long as possible a hot bath.
There are a bunch of reasons why these risks increase as kids grow up, but according to Pezalla, peer pressure is mostly to blame.
"To protect their teens from those dangers, parents have lots of strategies. They may discipline their kids – 'You're grounded!' – or challenge them to do better with phrases like, 'When I was your age, I didn't behave like that.' Or they might reprimand you: 'I'm really disappointed in you.'"
The psychologist says that if your parents have ever acted like that with you, then it was probably to keep you safe. "Most parents understand the dangers you face. They may have experienced them personally and want you to avoid the same mistakes they made. If your parents’ guidance is keeping you from harm, I'd say that they really do know what’s best."
#6
Not Mastered Walking Yet But Flying? Nailed It
#8
Just Being A Dad
#9
Oh Dad
However, an analysis of studies published between 1990 and 2020 found at least 14 that showed clear differences between how mothers and fathers parent overall. Across these studies, mothers consistently emerged as more authoritative — meaning they're warm, responsive, and set clear boundaries — while fathers tended to appear more authoritarian — meaning they were more strict or controlling.
#10
Fell Asleep On My Shoulders
#11
Peaceful Idealism vs. Danger And Carnage
#12
The Difference Between Moms And Dads
She recently sneezed and farted at the same time for the first time ever. It was a riot.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 month ago
Wait til she hits her late 30s. Then she'll pee a little every time she sneezes XD
#13
How My Mom Wraps Presents vs. How My Dad Wraps Presents
Some studies also found that mothers were more involved in encouraging children's independence (like in feeding or general decision-making), while fathers were more likely to use pressure or coercive strategies. These differences weren't huge, but they were noticeable.
When looking at studies that used children's or teenagers' reports, the results were very similar. Kids generally saw their mothers as more authoritative (and sometimes more permissive) than their fathers. A few studies found that fathers were seen as more authoritarian, though not all showed this difference.
#14
The Difference Between Photos With Mom vs. Dad
#15
The Difference Between Moms Swaddle And Dads Swaddle. It'll Do Right?
#16
There's Two Different Kinds Of Parents
Yes, my parents' names are still "Mommy" and "Daddy" in my phone.
Howl's sleeping castle 1 month ago (edited)
I am 41, I have my parent's numbers saved under mommy and Papa. My eldest sibling is 46. Same with her
#17
Nothing Quite Like A Little Quality Father Son Time
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 month ago
Kid 100% ASKED to be cardboarded into the shopping cart so he could pretend to be trapped. I would know. I was that kind of kid XD
An analysis of studies examining specific aspects of parenting — such as warmth, control, and responsiveness — found that overall differences between mothers and fathers were small to moderate in size. But across most of the research (13 studies in total), mothers were described as more accepting, responsive, supportive, and attentive than fathers. They were also more likely to set behavioral limits, monitor their children's activities, and encourage autonomy. In contrast, fathers tended to be seen as more restrictive, coercive, or harsh, and somewhat less emotionally concerned. These patterns appeared similar for sons and daughters, although girls often viewed their mothers as slightly more demanding. Overall, differences between mothers and fathers were reported more strongly by the parents themselves than by their children.
#18
Dad Level 9000 - Not Mom-Approved Way To Transport His Sleepy Kid
#19
Mom vs. Dad. As Simple As Cutting The Banana. And The Kids Refuse To Eat The Dads Version
#20
Mom vs. Dad. Two Mornings A Week My Husband Drops The Kids Off At Nursery And School, And It’s Easy To Spot What Days He Drops Off Just By Looking At Avalines Hair
#21
Kids Taking A Picture With Mom vs. Kids Taking A Picture With Dad. All I Want Is One Good Picture With My Kids. Yet Dad Gets One Every Time
At the end of the day, whatever differences there might be, moms and dads are teammates working toward the same goal — raising healthy and confident kids. The American Psychological Association highlights that parents and caregivers are the most important people in a child's life, since they offer love, acceptance, appreciation, encouragement, and guidance. It's because of them we get to grow up feeling safe, cared for, and supported as we figure out who we are and learn to handle the world, in our bodies, our minds, and our hearts.
#22
Dad Texts vs. Mom Texts. I Thought This Was Funny And Adorable In The Way My Mom And Dad Text Me, Following One Of My Final Exams, And I Wanted To Share
#23
This Note My Dad Wrote Me To Get Me Out Of PE
#24
Mom: Feeds Him 637438 Times, Snuggles, Burps, Feeds Again, Rocks, Reads A Bedtime Story, Finally Gets Him Down
Dad sits in a rocking chair and starts rocking... 5 minutes later, “I think he’s out.”
#26
Wife Gave Birth Last Week, And This Is The First Time I’ve Been Able To Play, Rate My “New Dad” Setup
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 month ago
I'll judge you for playing Apex Legends because it's a sh!t game, but that's all. XD
#27
Mom's Ig vs. Dad's Instagram
#29
Mom And Dad Inspired, What I Asked For vs. What I Got For A Tattoo
#30
When Mom Helps With A Gingerbread House, And When Dad Helps With A Gingerbread House
Mel in Georgia 1 month ago
Nothing wrong with this. Mom: Oh, honey let me help you with the icing. Dad: Oh yeah, moar icing? Awesome! Moar candy? Perfect! Throw it on there!
#31
Dad vs. Mom With A Baby
#32
Y’all, This Cracks Me Up... I Took Carson’s First Day Pictures Yesterday Because I Leave So Early In The Mornings
That’s the picture on the left, then there’s today, when Dad was getting her ready. I can't!
#33
My Parents Are Celebrating Their 30th In Estes Park. Mom Is Loving It. Dad Is Doing His Best
#34
"I Can't Even Watch Your Dad Sometimes" - The Text I Received From My Mom This Morning
Jac Carr 1 month ago
The day my sister found my 84 year old dad balanced on the pitched garage roof is the same day they took his chainsaw away which he'd only used a couple of times anyway. The following week he bought a bigger one that even he knew was too heavy for him but he's the dad and no kid of his will tell him what toys he can have, lol
#35
The Photo My Dad Took Versus The Photo My Mom Took.
Only horrified because the corner had already tried to pierce my skull and wanted to make sure it didn’t stab me in the eye! Lolol
For being made out of cardboard, the thing hurts
#36
Mom Pics vs. Dad Pics. Every Time
#37
When Mom Gives A Haircut vs. When Dad Does The Same
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 month ago
If dad's haircut is on the right, then I think the kid is happier with dad's haircut XD
#38
Me When My Dad Is Visiting vs. Me When My Mom Is Visiting
#39
Dads Never Overcomplicate Things
#40
Photos Mom Takes vs. Photos Dad Takes
#41
Mom’s Cooking vs. Dad’s Cooking
#42
Difference In Moms And Dads
#43
My Dad “Fixing Things”
After almost fifty years, you’d think I’d have seen it all when it comes to my Dad fixing stuff, and yet he still manages to surprise me…
#44
How Mom vs. Dad Looks After The Child
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 month ago
If baby is asleep in the stroller, why can't Dad have a peek at the newspaper? Should he just sit and stare creepily at his sleeping baby the entire time so he doesn't take his eyes off his child ever? The mom has something in her left hand, so technically SHE'S distracted too and not paying 100000% attention to baby XD
#45
My Dad Wrapped My Gift With Tinfoil And A Post It
#46
Moms Gone, Dads In Charge Of Supper
#47
Mom vs. Dad
#48
How Scarlett’s Hair Towel Is Supposed To Look vs. How Her Dad Put It On Her Head
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 month ago
Okay, I have three of these hair towel things, and even *I* find them difficult to fasten properly XD Dad probably has short hair and has never had to use one of these things. Should cut him some slack and teach him how to fasten it properly XD (btw they're actually brilliant hair towels and work amazingly well once you get them fastened, especially if you're like me and have thick hair that takes forever to dry!)
#49
Motherhood vs. Fatherhood
#50
Mom Life vs. Dad Life
#51
When Mom Asks For A Picture vs. Dad
#52
Fatherhood
#53
How My Mom Takes Photos vs. How My Dad Takes Photos
Tabitha 1 month ago (edited)
Yeah, my father used to pull this s**t because he thought it was funny to take pictures of me in embarrassing positions. He said it was just “candid photography” and I said it was s****y and cruel of him to embarrass me every damned time he had a camera in his hands. As a result, throughout my entire adulthood I haven’t like having pictures taken unless they’re carefully posed so they’re NOT going to embarrass me. There aren’t a lot of pictures of me after the age of 18.
#54
Lazy Sunday Morning Mom vs. Dad Edition
The tale of two sides of the same couch.
Mom: no one believes in personal space. Hot coffee cooling on the counter. Watching baby shark for the 8 millionth time
Dad: watching the iPad with headphones, hot coffee, lap free.
#55
Too Cute
#56
Mom vs. Dad Moment Happened. I Gotta Give Loic The Effort For Using My Toque To Keep His Baby Girl Warm
#57
Mom vs. Dad. I'm Not Saying I'm Better Than Morten At Feeding Lucas... But The Picture Probably Says It All
#58
My Attempt At Babysitting
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Ellinor she/they/elle 1 month ago
So I don't have a father, but surely dads aren't all so... Unbothered ? I mean compared to the mothers.
Jac Carr 1 month ago
In my experience, more men behave like that than don't; if a woman is there, not even necessarily the mother, men tend to assume they're watching the kid
Load More Replies...
Gavin Johnson 1 month ago
Friends of ours are paramedics, their children live right on the edge of a precipice. They aren’t any more scratched, bruised or busted up than my daughter is but watching them rock climb or kayak is interesting to say the least, the children have a very relaxed approach to their own mortality! They always have the right safety kit and follow the rules tying in and climbing safely but they’ll always push their boundaries further, they know there’s a paramedic nearby and that seems to be a great safety net! Always good watching 15 year olds bouldering and electing to take the difficult or more exposed route certainly gets my heart rate going!
Mel in Georgia 1 month ago
These were cute. As long as the dads are there for their kids, I have no problem with different parenting styles.
SuiderMonkey 1 month ago
So I used to regularly drive along a mountain pass to my aunt's house in Rooi Els (Cape Town). One day, someone drove off the cliff, a girl matching my description in a blue car - I had a blue car - My mom phoned me in a total panic asking if I'm okay, I had to assure her that I was on campus on not even in a car. When I asked my dad why he didn't worry, he said "if it was you someone would have told me" hahaha
Oskar vanZandt 1 month ago
As long as the dad is actively involved in the child rearing and the parents support eachother, the children will be fine...
Norm Gilmore 1 month ago
How to Dad - How to hold a baby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-kHBU28CTQ Releasing a baby into the wild https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUeXSW4oROU
Ellinor she/they/elle 1 month ago
So I don't have a father, but surely dads aren't all so... Unbothered ? I mean compared to the mothers.
Jac Carr 1 month ago
In my experience, more men behave like that than don't; if a woman is there, not even necessarily the mother, men tend to assume they're watching the kid
Load More Replies... Gavin Johnson 1 month ago
Friends of ours are paramedics, their children live right on the edge of a precipice. They aren’t any more scratched, bruised or busted up than my daughter is but watching them rock climb or kayak is interesting to say the least, the children have a very relaxed approach to their own mortality! They always have the right safety kit and follow the rules tying in and climbing safely but they’ll always push their boundaries further, they know there’s a paramedic nearby and that seems to be a great safety net! Always good watching 15 year olds bouldering and electing to take the difficult or more exposed route certainly gets my heart rate going!
Mel in Georgia 1 month ago
These were cute. As long as the dads are there for their kids, I have no problem with different parenting styles.
SuiderMonkey 1 month ago
So I used to regularly drive along a mountain pass to my aunt's house in Rooi Els (Cape Town). One day, someone drove off the cliff, a girl matching my description in a blue car - I had a blue car - My mom phoned me in a total panic asking if I'm okay, I had to assure her that I was on campus on not even in a car. When I asked my dad why he didn't worry, he said "if it was you someone would have told me" hahaha
Oskar vanZandt 1 month ago
As long as the dad is actively involved in the child rearing and the parents support eachother, the children will be fine...
Norm Gilmore 1 month ago
How to Dad - How to hold a baby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-kHBU28CTQ Releasing a baby into the wild https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUeXSW4oROU
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