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Have kids, they said, it will be fun, they said. And when it happens, utter craziness ensues and there’s no emergency exit to go through.

You see, being a parent takes you on a life adventure like no other. And while it’s hard to put in words all the ups and downs of what it's like to raise little daredevils, Bored Panda wrapped up some real-life examples captured on camera that show it as it is.

Mostly absolutely wholesome, sometimes truly crazy, and in other instances, pretty challenging, parenting is not for the faint-hearted, but it surely fills up your heart unlike anything else.

To find out more about the challenges of modern parenting, as well as how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the ways parents raise children, Bored Panda spoke with Holly Connors, a lifestyle blogger and a working mom of two girls. After working in psychology for a decade, Connors is now the creator of the “Simplify Create Inspire” project, which helps families make their lives easier. She happily shared some useful and illuminating insights.

Raising kids through the pandemic has posed a variety of challenges for many parents. Holly told us that for some, “it has resulted in increased stress and anxiety due to the uncertainties that come with the virus.”

“Parents have had to make tough decisions around safety, schooling, and childcare while all learning how to adjust their work-life balance. Some of these cautions have remained as parents adjust to the new normal,” she explained.

#4

My Life Is Never Dull, Guys. Never

My Life Is Never Dull, Guys. Never

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#6

My 8-Year-Old Is A Jerk And Almost Made Me Burn My House Down

My 8-Year-Old Is A Jerk And Almost Made Me Burn My House Down

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Moreover, many parents had to become teachers overnight, Holly argues, by helping their children adjust to temporary homeschooling or remote learning. “This has caused parents to address their children’s educational needs more than ever and for some parents, this has given a greater view of what goes into educating our kids and allowed them to maintain a more pivotal role in their children's learning.”

#7

I Thought I Lost $350 And Then Three Months Later I Found It In My Four-Year-Old's Room

I Thought I Lost $350 And Then Three Months Later I Found It In My Four-Year-Old's Room

Bigmacleafs14 Report

#8

The Teacher Actually Only Told Him Not To “Make A Habit Of It.” So I Wonder How Many Times Makes A Habit? I Also Wonder If I Should Hide The Popcorn Popper

The Teacher Actually Only Told Him Not To “Make A Habit Of It.” So I Wonder How Many Times Makes A Habit? I Also Wonder If I Should Hide The Popcorn Popper

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#9

Do You Have Any Advice For Me?

Do You Have Any Advice For Me?

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As if that wasn’t enough, “the pandemic also limited the social life of many families, reducing time spent with extended family or friends.” Holly explained that this can be particularly challenging for younger children since they “rely heavily on social interaction with their peers and is most definitely one of the biggest challenges we found in our household with a child in their first year of formal schooling suddenly learning from home.”

#10

My Daughter Just Said “Here Papa” And Put These In My Pocket. I Have No Idea Which Piece Of Cheap Furniture Is Now Dangerously Unstable

My Daughter Just Said “Here Papa” And Put These In My Pocket. I Have No Idea Which Piece Of Cheap Furniture Is Now Dangerously Unstable

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#11

My Sister Sent My 11-Year-Old Nephew To School Today With What She Thought Was A Fresca Packed In His Lunch

My Sister Sent My 11-Year-Old Nephew To School Today With What She Thought Was A Fresca Packed In His Lunch

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#12

My Daughter Has Figured Out How To Change The Picture On My Watch, By Using My Phone. Oh And Apparently She Knows The Password To My Phone

My Daughter Has Figured Out How To Change The Picture On My Watch, By Using My Phone. Oh And Apparently She Knows The Password To My Phone

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“As a result,” Holly continues, “parents needed to become more creative in finding ways to keep their kids connected and entertained in the changed environment, with extra reliance on technology to fill the gap.” And although technology can be wonderful for this purpose, Holly believes that “it has also been harder to reign in those habits, now telling our kids to get off their devices and go spend time with peers in person again.”

#13

It Makes 1 Hour That They're Looking For Their Car Keys That Their Kid Buried Inside The Sand

It Makes 1 Hour That They're Looking For Their Car Keys That Their Kid Buried Inside The Sand

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TK 421
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, no AirTag then? That’s the first thing I did. Never lost my keys or other certain items again.

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#14

My Daughter Is Planning Her First Sleepover. I’m Concerned About #2

My Daughter Is Planning Her First Sleepover. I’m Concerned About #2

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#15

Do You Have The Ratio Of Syrup Per Vent? Asking For A Friend

Do You Have The Ratio Of Syrup Per Vent? Asking For A Friend

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Terri Martin
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A stray cat got in my attic through the garage and sprayed everywhere. Every time the ac or heat came on it smelled like male cat p*ss for a year. It was impossible to find exactly where it was coming from. I'll take the syrup over this any day.

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With more and more things fighting for our attention these days, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed as parents. Holly argues that “we are all overstimulated and most of us are guilty of neglecting self-care.”

Luckily, she has some very useful advice to spare. “The simple act of taking time for yourself each and every day can have a huge impact, along with well-being basics such as getting enough sleep, eating well, drinking lots of water, and moving your body,” Holly said.

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#16

My 10-Year-Old Nephew Told His Mom He Doesn’t Know How His Phone Broke. He Just Woke Up And It Was Like That. A Few Days Later She Finds He Posted This On Youtube

My 10-Year-Old Nephew Told His Mom He Doesn’t Know How His Phone Broke. He Just Woke Up And It Was Like That. A Few Days Later She Finds He Posted This On Youtube

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TK 421
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bless those little morons for having no concept of evidence and consequences.

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#18

I Thought I Had Put Socks On My Son This Morning. Turns Out They Were Gloves. My Mother-In-Law Sent Me This

I Thought I Had Put Socks On My Son This Morning. Turns Out They Were Gloves. My Mother-In-Law Sent Me This

shedreamsofunicorns Report

Another tip from Holly for overwhelmed parents is “setting up routines and schedules in the family home can also make a big difference in managing the overwhelm.” She gave some examples: “a cleaning schedule to keep on top of your regular household management tasks, a meal plan so you know what is for dinner each day and can streamline your grocery shopping and giving your kids age-appropriate chores to lend a hand around the home.”

Importantly, kids who do chores are gaining independence, responsibility skills, and confidence, Holly said.

And finally, “it can also be helpful to practice gratitude and mindfulness each day, as these techniques have been proven to help reduce stress and increase happiness,” the author of “Simplify Create Inspire” said.

#19

Two-Year-Old Daughter Bathes Daddy's Laptop In Soap And Water Because It's "Too Dirty"

Two-Year-Old Daughter Bathes Daddy's Laptop In Soap And Water Because It's "Too Dirty"

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#21

Tell Me You Have A Three-Year-Old Without Telling Me You Have A Three-Year-Old

Tell Me You Have A Three-Year-Old Without Telling Me You Have A Three-Year-Old

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Icecream Sarang
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my house, it’s the 2yo who does this. Then the 3yo comes in to tattle, “Schister…”

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We also wondered if there are new parenting trends and styles emerging, and Holly said that the ongoing impact of the global pandemic has certainly changed the way many parents approach parenting.

“We are seeing a shift in priorities, with more focus on family time and mental health for all members of the household,” she said.

“Many parents are also reevaluating their views on education, looking for alternative approaches to learning such as homeschooling that may better suit their children or taking the leap and traveling as a family, and digging deep into exploring their home country (or abroad),” Holly concluded.

#22

My Son Decided Taking The Labels Off Everything Was A Great Idea

My Son Decided Taking The Labels Off Everything Was A Great Idea

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#23

Not To Brag, But My Daughter Has Me Ranked As The 11th Best Dad

Not To Brag, But My Daughter Has Me Ranked As The 11th Best Dad

No-Relation2437 Report

#24

Things I Fished Out Of My Subwoofer Today

Things I Fished Out Of My Subwoofer Today

LunarFisher Report

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Nupraptor
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. My toddler is very well behaved but I had this exact problem when he was about 1. I kept pulling things out from the opening but eventually I had to unscrew the bottom and take everything out.

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#25

Graduating From Temple University After 15 Years Working Full-Time And Balancing My Life. Got Married, 2 Daughters, Built A House. Attempted To Make Graduation Family Photo

Graduating From Temple University After 15 Years Working Full-Time And Balancing My Life. Got Married, 2 Daughters, Built A House. Attempted To Make Graduation Family Photo

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#26

Parenting Doesn’t Pay Enough

Parenting Doesn’t Pay Enough

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#27

Valentine's Day Pedi From My Daughter! Beautiful

Valentine's Day Pedi From My Daughter! Beautiful

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TK 421
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! She stopped at the toes?! My nieces would’ve had that color a solid halfway up my ankle!

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#28

I Found Where My 3-Year-Old Twins Have Been Hiding My Loose Change

I Found Where My 3-Year-Old Twins Have Been Hiding My Loose Change

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#29

My Daughter Had My Wife’s Phone On A Long Car Ride. She Ordered All The Barbie Dream Houses From Amazon

My Daughter Had My Wife’s Phone On A Long Car Ride. She Ordered All The Barbie Dream Houses From Amazon

NinkovichPlease Report

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Falcon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why I'm not a fan of having your bank account tied to your Amazon account. Just one click, without confirmation sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

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#30

It Was At Exactly This Moment That My Son Realized His Mistake

It Was At Exactly This Moment That My Son Realized His Mistake

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#31

My Friend’s Kid Got Stuck In Our Cat Tower

My Friend’s Kid Got Stuck In Our Cat Tower

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#32

I Bought My Kid A Drone For Christmas, The Wife Doesn't Love It

I Bought My Kid A Drone For Christmas, The Wife Doesn't Love It

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#33

I Was Mowing The Grass And My Wife Texts Me And Says “I’m Going To Lay On The Couch And Maybe Get A Quick Nap”. I Came Back To See My Kids Treating Her Like A Bean Bag Chair

I Was Mowing The Grass And My Wife Texts Me And Says “I’m Going To Lay On The Couch And Maybe Get A Quick Nap”. I Came Back To See My Kids Treating Her Like A Bean Bag Chair

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LuckyL
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And as a mom, you just lay there - because, at least, you're laying.

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#34

Found My Wife Passed Out Face-First While Playing LEGOs With My Son. Parents Are The Real MVPs

Found My Wife Passed Out Face-First While Playing LEGOs With My Son. Parents Are The Real MVPs

BrightCanon Report

#35

Came Home To My 3-Year-Old "Fixing" My Laptop

Came Home To My 3-Year-Old "Fixing" My Laptop

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#36

Coworker's Kids Left The Van's Door Open Before A Storm

Coworker's Kids Left The Van's Door Open Before A Storm

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#38

Smurf Devourer. Son Grabbed Food Dye Off The Counter

Smurf Devourer. Son Grabbed Food Dye Off The Counter

Core1989 Report

#39

My Glasses Finally Came In This Morning. Paid $375 And Decided To Save $80 And Not Get Insurance And My Daughter Got Ahold Of Them 2 Hours After Arriving

My Glasses Finally Came In This Morning. Paid $375 And Decided To Save $80 And Not Get Insurance And My Daughter Got Ahold Of Them 2 Hours After Arriving

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Joshua David
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use zenni optical. I have the EXACT black matte frame I got for $12 usd including shipping.

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#40

My Kid Tried To Use My Finger While I Was Napping To Sign Him Up For Some Stupid App

My Kid Tried To Use My Finger While I Was Napping To Sign Him Up For Some Stupid App

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Note: this post originally had 134 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.