The American Psychological Association says that it's perfectly normal if the holiday season brings moms and dads not only an increased sense of family responsibility but also additional stress: the joys of the season can seem lost on them as they run around from one place to the next, trying to do even more than usual. It's an overwhelming time of the year.
So, to help them unwind, Bored Panda has collected the funniest and most honest parenting tweets from December. The recap of the month features both Christmas and everyday moments so even those who wish to put the holidays behind them will have something to giggle at.
For more parenting tweets, check out our earlier collections from November, October, and September.
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Absolutely! I grew up hearing that all the time after some boy had purposely abused me in some way. Furthermore unacceptable!
I agree 100%. Being the father of a boy, I try my best to teach him to treat everyone fair and equal.
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I agree!!! Another thing is when people say women/girls are “being hormonal.” So annoying
Never in my experience. Although the whole, "You can't hit a girl" seems to still be a thing. Guess it's too much to ask that people simply stop hitting each other, regardless of gender.
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Boys need to start being held accountable for their actions. Keeping that phrase just reinforces the idea that boys think they can do whatever they want with no repercussions at all.
The proper answer is "Then girls/women will respond accordingly." Punctuated by a kick to the crotch.
The new response is: Boys will be- *i commit reverse defenestration on myself* -RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS!
I never associated “boys will be boys” with bullying. I always thought it was us doing stupid s**t.....and trying to impress girls.
Or "They're just trying to get a rise out of you". That basically translates to "I know this is bothering you, but I don't give enough of a s**t to do anything about it".
Boys will be boys is NEVER an appropriate response. Mine were raised better at least!
That's why I taught my daughter some simple self defense in KINDERGARTEN. She was being bullied & the teachers & school just kept ignoring it because "boys will be boys". He had a few inches and about 20 lbs on her. She kicked him as hard as she could in the balls & he dropped like a stone. His parents had never been notified there was a problem and they insisted my FIVE YEAR OLD be expelled. I offered to file a police report for assault instead. They moved him to another school.
I once knew a guy from my neighborhood who didn't always handle his emotions well, especially in his teens/early twenties. I wasn't told enough of the details to know how emotionally abusive he got, but I heard that he was being ugly towards a high school girlfriend at one point. She wasn't so much scared as upset and pissed off that he was being a butthead. His parents found out about the problem in a roundabout way and laid down the law with him. I was so impressed. He learned from that, too: I've never heard of him acting that way with any other girls.
I taught my daughter how to throw a punch at an early age ...I've never regretted that .
Disagree. Boys have a tendency for rough housing and this is a normal, natural behaviour in males. As long as it stays within safe parameters it's perfectly fine.
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when have you ever heard someone say that?
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Your one example is not a strong argument. With space, children will learn who they are and if they prefer rough housing or dolls or cooking or legos, but there shouldn't be different treatment based on gender.
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Vicki Broadbent, an award-winning filmmaker and blogger at Honest Mum who is also the author of bestselling book MUMBOSS: How to Survive and Thrive At Work and At Home, told Bored Panda that parents often burn out during the holidays because they place far too much pressure on themselves to create the perfect Christmas and New Year for their kids—which can be unrealistic at best and damaging and draining at worst.
"While conjuring up a festive family dream is wonderful in theory and comes with good intention, from a place of love, it can become a huge strain for parents both mentally and financially," Broadbent said. "Debt is not just for Christmas, folks, it rolls on all year long, particularly when you overspend. Live within your means and that means on the Big Day too. The anxiety to keep up with the Joneses seems tenfold now that we're bombarded with everyone else's festive prep on our timelines, be it the ever-more-elaborate mischievous set-ups every year of that swine, Elf on the Shelf to virtual Santa visits and, worst of all, mountainous piles of presents in some sort of matching wrapping paper present Olympics by parents with their peers."
Yeah, dad remains on a master's degree. Keep up the hard work dad, you'll get your break too.
Broadbent thinks parents should ignore what they see on social media and remind themselves that children remember the quality time with their parents over the holidays more than anything (ideally, rested and relaxed, not frazzled parents).
"Think back to what you recall fondly from your own Christmases past in childhood... I'd put money on you remembering a few key Christmas gifts (me, a Cabbage Patch Kid I still own); decorating the tree, laying out the mince pie and carrot for Santa, and forcing your merry mum to watch Miracle on 34th Street for the millionth time with you."
And she is absolutely right. Psychologist Dr. David Walsh, known for translating cutting-edge brain science to everyday practice for parents, teachers, and other professionals, says the positive feelings of warmth, safety, or happiness are examples of what he calls 'emotional memories.'
"Emotional memories are very powerful and very important," Dr. Walsh writes. "Just as experiences link together different connections in our brain, experiences also wire together emotional connections. Emotions are especially powerful because they focus our attention and are a major determinant for what we remember."
While presents might feel important now, Dr. Walsh argues that the greatest gift we can give our children is to create a rich set of positive emotional memories. "Creating family traditions, focusing on the meaning of the season, and carving out time for reflection can help buffer stress and provide a foundation for memories that last a lifetime."
So how can parents do this? Broadbent suggests starting by planning Christmas in advance, especially when it comes to the festive budget (expenses for decorations, food, and presents)—becoming proactive and not reactive to pressures and changes, adversities.
"No one could have foreseen a pandemic this year, which spoiled our planned gatherings, yet here we are. Budget for a Christmas you want for your family which includes a contingency plan and that won't compromise your life for the other 11 months of the year. Remember, you are not expected to share this period online unless you want to, so don't feel a duty or pressure to photograph and share your experiences on social media," she said.
"If anyone makes you feel bad about yourself, mute, unfollow, or take a break over this more pressured time. Be in the moment, switch off as much as possible and let your hair down a little, you deserve it."
You will always be able to catch up on what's viral with Bored Panda later!
I think this is worth getting downvoted, because this really bothered me. The comment about "boys will be boys" is stupid, callous, and inappropriate. But this comment is lauded? What if a boy said he was "born to crush all girls?" We have to be consistent and have respect both ways. Unless... born to crush means something I am not aware of and I am taking this wrong.
Sibling survival strategy. The needs of the me out way the sacrfice of you ;o)
I gave laundry detergent, baby Tylenol and some other items I thought more useful once. I got some odd looks
Thank you for that big of advice my dear, imma packet that one for when I’m pregnant
Oh, and it's so unfair! Little boys have the most beautiful eyelashes in the world.
Well, they give audible and visual clues when they need to be watered or fed, so that makes it much easier.
Note: this post originally had 90 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
these are adorable and make me sort of glad I didn't get to have kids at the same time.
A pox on ye all...I miss my children, and I don't necessarily want them to be young again, either. Just nearby...and communicating... somewhat... -from a father of two 20-something daughters
these are adorable and make me sort of glad I didn't get to have kids at the same time.
A pox on ye all...I miss my children, and I don't necessarily want them to be young again, either. Just nearby...and communicating... somewhat... -from a father of two 20-something daughters
