30 Spicy Memes That Showcase The Challenging, Yet Hilarious Parts Of Parenting
Interview
It seems that in recent years, especially with the rise of social media, parenting memes have become sort of a popular online phenomenon, providing a humorous take most parents are familiar with when it comes to the joys and challenges of raising children. The said memes seem to resonate with parents because they often depict universally shared experiences, like sleep deprivation, picky eating, and the overall chaotic family life.
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Bored Panda reached out to Trista Frost, a clinical psychologist, the book author of "Parenting Toddlers: A Complete Guide for Raising Disciplined, Happier, and Confident Kids", and well-recognized parenting and relationship expert.
When asked about the impact of parenting memes, Frost said to us, "In my view, parenting memes reflect both the joys and challenges of parenting. They do tend to exaggerate for comedic effect, which can provide a sense of relief and shared understanding. However, it's important to remember that every parenting journey is unique. A meme might provide a chuckle, but it's no substitute for genuine understanding and learning about child development and parenting strategies."
Yesterday I got pulled out of a work meeting (in front of ~80 colleagues) by the police, with my kid... He didn't really do anything, just poking around where he shouldn't be, but still. He Here's hoping this is the first and only time the cops want to talk to me about something my kid has done.
Discussing the role of humor in parenting, the parenting expert stated, "Humor can be a powerful tool in coping with stress. When it comes to parenting memes, they can offer parents a moment of lightness in their day. It's a way of saying, 'Yes, parenting is hard, it's chaotic, but we're all in this together.' However, it's equally important to engage in constructive approaches for stress management and healthy communication with your children, which we cover in detail in the book."
Trista also reflected on the community-building aspect of memes, Frost shared with us a few key details, "These memes do more than just make us laugh; they also help create a sense of community. When parents engage with these memes, it often leads to conversations and shared experiences. It can feel incredibly validating to see that others are facing similar challenges, reminding parents they're not alone in their journey."
Even I feel this. I take care of my special need brother (he's 38) and we don't tell him we're doing something until the day of and at the earliest an hour before.
She also cautioned about the potential risks associated with memes, saying, "There's a fine line between humor and trivializing genuine struggles. While memes are largely harmless, they can sometimes inadvertently contribute to unrealistic parenting expectations, or make light of issues that need serious attention. It's crucial to remember that memes are not parenting advice and should not replace seeking proper help or guidance when needed."
I do this, but my dad knows I do it to be funny
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Well, I don't want to be *that* parent, but I'm going to be *that* parent because it's a tough job and I feel like I fail 60% of the time at the moment BUT... My 6YO daughter put her cereal bowl and spoon in the dishwasher without being asked yesterday and, when we got back from nursery with her little brother and I was busy sorting out the bags, she took his shoes and jacket off for him and hung up his coat. I could plotz, she's such a star (at the moment)!
Teenager? HA! I have to ask a 28 year old to clean up his own apartment.
yk some teenagers are driving their siblings to everything, often making meals, cleaning the house
As a former teenager, I can confirm this is true. As a current parent of a teenager, this is still the case :’)
I definitely once asked my teenager to do the dishes, then added, "without b*tching* when he started to wind up. He laughed so much it broke the tension and he did them without further complaint.
My step-nephew is 17, and when his Mum asks him to unload the dishwasher, he still says that it's 'modern slavery'....
This is my youngest. And her being in the terrible teenage phase doesn't help smh.
Teenager? My daughter's 24 & she still does this if I ask her to do something.
This is one where parents need to be a little flexible. *Everyone* not just teens hates to be told "Do this NOW!" especially if they're in the middle of something. I remember my parents got smarter about it and said "take out the trash before dinner" or "do X during the commercial break" or "Y needs to be done before you go to bed". Just giving me some flexibility on when I could do it made me ten times more willing to actually do it. And as a side effect it made the rare "It has to be done NOW" much more acceptable.
It's weird how that mentality shifts once they get into adulthood. When my daughter was in elementary I would tell her to "give the dishes a bubble bath", to try to make it sound fun and less stressful (unlike what I endured growing up). She still resisted and said "I'm not falling for that. It's not fun." When was an older teen washing dishes she said it was like giving the dishes a bubble bath. Oo
This also applies for my 4yo and my 6yo. Sometimes they will do what we ask them to (and then we will praise them soooo much!). But usually they will claim their arms are too short or that this thinf they are drawing is SUPER important and they have no time to do whatever it is we asked them to do.
Despicable creatures......teenagers, yuck 🤢. Thank goodness they eventually grow out of it. 😊
My youngest daughter still does this. She’s 24. Sadly it doesn’t get better anytime soon
Of course, we couldn't end the interview without any sort of advice for the parents, so here's what Frost recommended, "Enjoy the humor these memes offer. Laugh at them, share them, and use them as ice-breakers in your parenting circles. But also, remember to balance this with an understanding of the complexities of parenting. Your child's behavior isn't always a 'memeable moment'. Be patient, understand their emotions, hone your listening skills, and disarm your triggers as suggested in the book. That's the path to raising disciplined, happier, and confident kids."
Is this how you explain the scene to your friends? 😂 Edit: oh wow! I made a funny!
God, I don't fold laundry - all those tiny little clothes that sometimes don't even get worn for a whole day before getting dirty. Don't iron either. Child protection services haven't come a-knocking yet. The only judgement I get (openly) is from my mother and luckily I'm pretty immune to that after years of training!
Sorry to be the downer. But need to note that this isnt true. Quokkas have pouches they hold their young in (think kangaroo) and when fleeing occasionally they young one will fall out. So this myth spread. Just a small public service note.
My wife: "For fu*ck's sake! I'm burning! Go ask your father!" My son: "Dad, mom said I can eat 4 Twinkies for a snack." My wife (covered in bandages): "Why are there Twinkie wrappers all over the pantry?" My son: "Mom, dad let me eat 8 Twinkies and now I'm sick..." Me: "Why is Jr. sick, why is there trash in the pantry, why do you look like a mummy, and why is everyone so cross with me all the time?"
Yeah, and to all those people who said I would become a "morning person" when I had kids, they were wrong. I still hate mornings but now I have people I have to look after while hating the mornings! However, once I've actually had a moment to land and straighten my head out, I love being with them!
It's an interesting one. My daughter is so like me and it is therapeutic for me because I am helping her to have the childhood I couldn't by guiding her and using appropriate discipline. I frigging adore her, and I try to see that as a way for me to show myself the love I should have had. (Of course I know she is her own person and I would never want her to become just like me!)
"But Dad, I heard you call Mom dirty last night and still did the same thing to her!"
Kids? What kids? You, arms up about to start speaking & looks around.... Everybody else snuck off.
Now tell them to do it again and watch their system crash because they want to do it again but Children's Law states that you cannot do what your parent tells you.
I take care of my special needs brother and dammit sometimes things are either spicy or diet 😂
And yet, when asked, they had the best time of their lives.......
I'm gonna be honest... That lady looks like black Mrs. Doubtfire. Am I crazy?
Bro I don't understand the people who get an allowance like I get money on my birthday and Christmas and other than that I just rely on my friends and then get them stuff once I have cash to make up for it. I have an income from my summer job but it all goes into savings
or when you ask them what they want and they say they arent hungry so you buy for yourself only then they are like, i'm hungry, and they eat your burger. little bastards.
I feel this to my core. Only replace snack with strawberries. I'm thankful she loves them but child have mercy on me, I'm trying to put out a fire...
Once they fall asleep, you rearrange everything, and they never notice.
"Challenger, Houston." "Go, Houston." "We have a family call for Specialist Stewart." "Houston, Stewart is currently on EVA. Will be available in approximately 3hrs, 29 mins." "Copy, Challenger. Will advise family." ..... "Challenger, Houston." "Go, Houston." "Per previous com regarding Specialist Stewart, family member states the matter is emergent. Please patch CAPCOM to MMU loop and advise when ready." "Roger, Houston. Patching comms to Stewart's MMU." ... "Houston, Stewart." "Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!!!!! Mommy said I can't have a snack because it's almost dinner time. DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!"
Go out and play. Dinner is at 5. Be home when the street lights come on.
Well, what do they expect? They're not paid AND asked to do a task that isn't needed - unless it's "Do this or mow the lawn" I'd not do it either.
Well, I happen to *like* the "harried mom with a messy bun and yoga pants" look, so...
(setting up a cardboard dummy of themselves in front of the camera ...)
If that happens I walk harriedly behind her holding out a coat, so everyone knows I'm trying
Is why I have two, if the microwave combo included I have three. Highly recommend.
Just let them. Sometimes kids just need to feel their feelings and get through it on their own. I personally like trying to fix everything a kid is crying about but sometimes they're just sad. Also, never ever tell your kid that they're fake crying or they need to stop crying because they're selfish and seeking attention. I can't feel sadness right and I hate myself whenever I cry. It is completely natural for kids to need to sit there and cry sometimes, and that's okay
We are currently on holiday abroad and my son and another kid spent about 2 hours just saying hello to each other as they don’t speak the same language.
I'm a 43 yo woman and every time I think that I don't have children I feel something that can only be described as: a slight euphoria
I'm a 42 year old woman who is a mother and grandmother and I laughed my a*s off at these and shared them with my daughter. I told her how encouraging it is that every parent knows the struggle. Priceless.
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Because they’re awesome! But parenting is the greatest roller coaster on earth. The good times far outweighs the bad. Most people forget…the cause to the behaviors of half these memes are developmentally appropriate, and you also acted like that as a kid. I love spending time with mine, and dread them moving out of the house someday.
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We are currently on holiday abroad and my son and another kid spent about 2 hours just saying hello to each other as they don’t speak the same language.
I'm a 43 yo woman and every time I think that I don't have children I feel something that can only be described as: a slight euphoria
I'm a 42 year old woman who is a mother and grandmother and I laughed my a*s off at these and shared them with my daughter. I told her how encouraging it is that every parent knows the struggle. Priceless.
Load More Replies... Because they’re awesome! But parenting is the greatest roller coaster on earth. The good times far outweighs the bad. Most people forget…the cause to the behaviors of half these memes are developmentally appropriate, and you also acted like that as a kid. I love spending time with mine, and dread them moving out of the house someday.
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