Sometimes parents want to be 'relatable' and 'cool', so they use meme references and words like 'lit' but these things don't cut it. All these desperate attempts do is just embarrass their kids. However, if they try something really ridiculous, it brings them even more shame. They end up on the subreddit /r/InsaneParents.
The online community describes itself as "a weird place where you can post those crazy parents who post in those woo-woo anti-vax groups on Facebook and do things harmful (directly and indirectly) to their children. We want to be a place where people can come and both get support and laugh. So this sub is a mixture of both the heartbreaking and the hilarious. Come and join us. Especially if you have your own stories to tell or your own social media content to post." Below you will find some of their most popular posts.
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My Mother Dearest, Whom My Sister And I Just Let Back Into Our Lives, Talking To My Sister About Her Daughter (My Niece). Behold The Kind Of Person She Is
Your sister has the right answer. Your mom is a piece of work. You never call children names.
Bored Panda has already published two posts about the subreddit (here and here) but it looks like there's no shortage of insane moms and dads; people keep posting more and more parenting horror stories. Even though the subreddit was created relatively recently, in 2017, it already unites over 1.2 million members, with thousands online at any given moment.
It's normal for parents and their kids to have different views and opinions. In fact, they can be used for growth, too. Vicki Broadbent, founder of Honest Mum and author of Mumboss, is one of those parents who are open to learning from their children as much as they want to teach them. "They've taught me a lot from feeling more confident when I've been trolled online, to how to create a TikTok video!" she told Bored Panda. "My kids aged 10 and 8 respectively are both creative, empathetic, resilient, and strong-willed little humans. We base our relationships on open conversations and trust. I think the art of listening has been lost somewhat, and rather than being didactic as a parent, we need to practice listening more (and really hearing) to others' points of view, before sharing our own views.
Guilty Has Punished
Broadbent acknowledges that parents have the responsibility to inform, protect, and guide their kids, however, she thinks that children who feel endlessly chastised and forced to conform will do the complete opposite. "You have more chance of persuading your children to do the right thing if you are calm in the way you present your opinions."
"Encouraging children to talk to you honestly without judgement means they will always come to you when they're in trouble. It's also healthy they learn that no one will ever always agree with one another. Another lost art is that of debating!"
When Rebekah Tayebi, a clinical therapist and family coach, looks at toxic family systems, one thing that becomes really evident to her is seeing that the children are more attuned to the needs of the parents. That means, the typical parent-child relationship is inverted and there's confusion about what appropriate boundaries should be in place.
"The hard part for children in these environments is that which is like so many of us, is that we might start to mirror the dysfunction that we're seeing," Tayebi said. That's the reason why it's so important to start to catch negative patterns in the moment and try to eradicate them.
I Feel Like This Applies A Lot For The Parents On Here
I'm sure I'll get some hate for this, but for me context is essential here. If we're talking something like abuse then yes it's absolutely spot on. If we're talking something like homework then no.
If you suffered in life and don't want anyone else to go through what you did, you're still probably not completely fine, but at least you have some freaking empathy.
Exactly! If you think it is OK to beat a child because "it never did me any harm", then I beg to differ.
My MIL actually said that about her nine kids. The only ones who turned out okay were my husband and one of his brothers. At least they stayed out of prison and worked for a living. Such a bunch of dysfunctional people. She had a poor upbringing herself and never learned how to parent.
My mother was molested while growing up and that made her and my dad very protective of their girls. Even now with us being adults, they still protect us and watch over us.
OMG, truer words have not been spoken!! Anyone I know, myself included, who had a hard upbringing, do anything in their power to not let that happen to anyone else
Wow! If that doesn't humble a person, I don't know what will! I'd never wish anyone to go through the crap my sister and I went through with my mother! I know we didn't turn out fine! My sister committed suicide (after she was raped and went through her court case, he was found guilty!) but my mother never supported her the way a mother should in that situation, which didn't help her at all! And I ended up with a drug addiction! I'm clean now, been clean for 10yrs now! I'm still adjusting to dealing with reality though instead of numbing it all with drugs, even after 10yrs being clean! My man is horrified at the things my mother did to us! He was very close to his mum and can't imagine a mother being like mine! His mum died in the 1980's and he still mourns her loss, and his dad who died a year after his mum! So no, I'd never wish that on anyone, and I certainly didn't turn out fine lol!
I’m so sorry that happened to u and your sister. Glad to hear you’re clean now! I’m recovering addict as well and I know how hard it is to finally stop. It’s a huge achievement, keep it up! :)
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My father was this way! Constant argument ALL through out high school, I wasn't allowed to have our 2nd car to drive to school, because HE NEVER HAD A CAR!! Mom always sided with me because the responsibility fell on her to take me early or pick me up late due to extra curricular activities. He wasn't around to help out.
You likely suffer from an array of mental illnesses and you also likely suppress your emotions on a dangerous level
This one isn’t exactly accurate. If you are talking about physical abuse or something, then of course it’s correct but if it’s other stuff that kids complain about like doing chores or being respectful to their parents or doing their homework etc. then yeah they need to learn those life lessons.
I hate hearing this s**t. "My dad gave me a black eye and my mom called me a bunch names starting when I was six years old and I turned out fine." No, you did NOT turn out fine.
Many who have suffered in life may still be suffering through no fault of their own
Someone knows my brother, apparently. But he didn’t really suffer - yet he still required the suffering of others.
Yep. Hear this crap from my mom all the time every time i ask her to watch her grandkids for a little bit so i could run an errand etc. "i had to watch all of you with no help ever no one helped me so im not helping you". It's a great way to make me not want to be around her anymore
Seriously, they say they turned out okay, but you look at them, and they aren't okay at all.
"Parenting is hard, there's no manual, we're all simply trying to navigate our children through choppy waters and this ever challenging life to be kind and strong," Broadbent concluded. "We also want them to have fun. Childhood is precious. I also think showing my own children my own vulnerabilities has encouraged greater empathy in them and they've understood early on that I'm a real human being not a womb on legs."
What some parents apparently forget is that they need their kids just as much as their little ones need them. When Broadbent had a big operation on her thyroid, for example, she was amazed to find just how much her children can support her during a difficult time.
I don't know, maybe some of the parent-child relationships we see on r/InsaneParents are beyond saving. But I hope they can at least act as a reminder for the rest of us to cherish ours.
I Decided To Finally Go Vaccinated Behind My Anti-Vax Parent's Back!
Insane Parents
Should've Stayed At Home
Yeah and school was because i was born too dumb...SoRrY eVeRyOnE
Essential Oils Don’t Work
Those people should be charged with murder, manslaughter or child endangerment (whatever it comes under).
An Insane Mom
Insane Parents
Father Tries To Say He Put Me Through College. My 1k Monthly Loan Payments Say Otherwise
Yup, sounds like something my ex did. My grown daughter called him out infront of everyone he knows. It was awesome. He didn't want to be a part of her life not the other way around.
Insane Parents
Insane Parents Destroy Their Child’s Art Tablet For... Not Getting Up On Time
Is Violence The Answer ? I Don't Think So
What a disgusting piece of garbage, you just don't do that and you don't brag about it either.
Never Thought My Mom Was That Insane But I Guess Jesus Is Anti-Metal Straw. Sorry If It Doesn't Seem Serious, I Can't Take Anything Seriously
Hypocritical, Awful And Abusive
"every child deserves a parent, but not every parent deserves a child"
Raised By Insane Parents Feels
That’s exactly how I feel, I’ve been lucky and I don’t even know anyone who has had covid. But this isn’t even my top 10 worst years of my life.
My Mother Blamed Me For Her Suicidal Tendencies. I'm 15
Because His Kid Didn't Do Homework?
what the f**k? i feel sorry for both kid and doggo, won't be surprised if kid will hold grudge on parents for eons...
Check Mate, Religious Insane Parents
Maybe I can get all those years of rent back from my parents. They're religious nutjobs.
Poor Kid
Abusing Child Support
Lady Tries To Blame Vaccines After Her Son Contracts Hiv
My Dad Charges Me $300 A Month For Rent And Refuses To Let Me Move Out. After Spending The Weekend With My Boyfriend, I Received This
What the actual, she needs to get out of that house and away from that nasty piece of crap.
Using Your Daughter’s Entire College Fund To Pay For Your Crappy Pyramid Scheme Products
This Was By Far The Worst Incident. I Was In 2nd Grade, 7-8 Years Old And Just Went Through Some Of The Worst Trauma Of My Life And My Mom Was More Worried About Going To Vegas Then My Health
Children Aren’t Slaves, Apologize When You’re Supposed To
Found It On Facebook
My Moms Response When I Came Out To Her. Haven’t Talked To Them For Two Weeks Now
I am so mad right now... she worked up all her courage and she get's this :(
I Didn't Want To Give My Jehovah's Witness Dad My Password Because I Was Texting A Girl And He Smashed It With An Axe And Then Beat Me. That Was 5 Years Ago And Today I'm Happily Living Together With That Girl
I Definitely Hope I Can "Indoctrinate" My Children Into Believing In Human Rights
Just A Cold
You just endangered hundreds of people and at least a few will die. You belong in prison.
Imagine Being A Pos Who Not Only Pulls Their Kid Out Of School Due To Not Wanting To Vaccinate Him But Also Broadcast His Misery In An Attempt To Get People To Side With You...
Parents "React" To Their 6 Year Old's Report Card For Views
I Don't Understand How Scientology Came Into Play
Oh, the ignorance is terrifying. I hope some of those 73 comments set them straight.
You Should Be Grateful
This Was Not Posted In A Joking Way
Thats devastating to do to someone. Not only physically but mentally and emotionally.
“A 5 Year Old Is Perfectly Capable Of Fending For Himself”
I think the father should be packing the bags and taking the child. She is not right in the head if she truly thinks what she did was fine. Isn't there laws about this kind of thing.
Update: I’m Immunocompromised And My Mom Refused To Let Me Isolate. Now I Have The Coronavirus
A Question That Came Into One Of My Local Radio Stations
Spare The Rod
Yeah spanking always seemed a tautology of a punishment: *smack* "how many times do I have to tell you [name]?! *smack* We. Do. Not. Hit. People!" *smack*
Glad I Have A Good Relationship With My Parents
Idiot
How can anyone not see that giving a kid this age alcohol, caffeine or sugar is just giving them an early start on addiction?
My Fiance's Mom When We First Started Dating
Imagine Posting This And Being Proud Of The Anger That You Just Took Out On This Kid's Form Of Entertainment
A Friend Of Mine Who’s 27 Years Old
You could have fun with this and hide some weird and random stuff in your bin.
Her Brother Died Of Measles, But She Still Won’t Vaccinate Her Child Against It
Breaking A 7-Year-Old's Heart On Christmas
And Guess What She’d Have Blamed Her Son’s Autism On If She Did Vaccinate?
"i did all the right things. Had a natural birth, DiDn'T vAcCiNaTe, breastfed on d e m a n d for a year, fed a healthy diet..." Your's truly, -Seeking Sympathy 2020
My 5yo Child Is Enrolling In School And They Say I Can’t Come And Breastfeed Him. I’m Being Discriminated Against!
Sick woman. Your child will be fine. You are still breastfeeding to meet your own needs, not his.
Note: this post originally had 97 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - this is why I hate when people are pushing the "Everyone should respect their parents" idea. Yes - there are many great parents and they deserve recognition, respect and care. But there are also, unfortunately, many parents like these and their children deserve support and understanding when they decide to stop seeing them and cease contact. If you're in that situation - I admire you, it's immensely tough to stand up to your parents and even harder to actually cut them out of your lives. May you find better people to have around who'll make your family. Because blood doesn't make a family. Love does.
I'll type here what I typed below: The Bible says, "Honour your mother and father." But the Bible also says, "Parents, don't invoke your children to wrath." I interpret that as respect is earned.
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I don know what to say. I live in a situation like this, but I'm scared to share because I'm worried somehow I'll get in trouble. all I can say is: Other kids in this situation, they may make you think that you're a failure, that you're useless, that you deserve whats happening to you. it's not. it's really not. never forget it.
Dear Pineapple and flowers, Thank you for reaching out. Just like you said to all those other kids, you do not deserve this. This is not your fault. The abuser is at fault, the abuser is responsible. You have done nothing wrong. You deserve love and respect over and over again, only love.
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I really hope and pray for the best for everybody stuck in such situations at this present. It should be a no brainer that we all deserve basic human decency and respect, yet it upsets me deeply that we still haven't overcome this type of behaviour. If it's anything, this random stranger on the internet cares for you, supports you, is proud of your accomplishments, understands your pains, and most of all, loves you. Sending good vibes and best wishes towards everybody's way. PS: I don't think it was a good decision to read this entire article in one sitting, lol.
I did all I was told to do. I still got beat. Some parents are too damaged as people to be good parents.
This isn't the exact quote (I'm paraphrasing) but it's in the bible for those "Christian" parents. The Bible says, "Honour your mother and father." But the Bible also says, "Parents, don't invoke your children to wrath." I interpret that as respect is earned.
Aaaaaand now I feel like a rockstar parent. I had a few doosies from my own childhood. 'You're ruining my marriage' when severe depression was making it difficult to get out of bed in time to do my morning chores and make it to the bus stop on time. This was said while basically shoving me out of a moving car down the street from my school. And 'I hope you got that out of your system' when coming out that a friend of mine had been more than just a friend. Then there was that time when my step dad called me a whore when I went home for Christmas. Fun times! I remind myself of how these, and many other incidents, felt any time I feel myself loosing my patience with my own kids. Abuse causes lifelong damage and I refuse to perpetuate that cycle.
This is one of the most horrific articles I've seen on Bored Panda. It's not about parents who "went too far" or "got shamed." Many of these examples are abuse perpetrated by parents onto their children.
We drank the foam off our parents beer as kids and I didnt even like drinking at my friends as a teen. Didnt drink more often till like 36.
Big difference between disciplining children (i.e. teaching them manners and good behaviour) and abusing children. Physical discipline is unnecessary - just a bit of common sense and communication with your kids. Most people these days seem too afraid to even raise their voice to the kid, and then wonder why the children turn out so awful and uncontrollable (which doesn't help the kid at all in their future lives).
The two worst kinds of parents are authoritarian and absent/permissive. You get the screaming, bullying abusive and inconsistent in the authoritarian and the absent, inconsistent, "shrug" neglectful from the permissive. There is a vast field of positive between those two poles.
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This is quite possibly some of the most f’d up s I’ve ever seen posted here
This is so sad & painful to read. I lived in a broken home, my Dad used to beat me from the age of 3 upwards, I remember he was drunk the first time around Christmas. Afterwards, he quit drinking but it wasn't the alcohol that fueled his violent outbursts. I was told I was worthless, ugly, lazy, the black sheep of the family, etc. I was punched in the stomach, kicked, dragged by the hair & he tried to smother me with a pillow on one occasion, then tried to buy me something because he felt bad afterwards. I was only 14 & had nowhere to go. Honestly I blotted a lot of it out but now getting therapy as an adult in my late twenties & no longer see my Dad.
Laura, I hope telling your story helps. I'm so sorry that man was your father. I always wanted children, and it kills me to think he had the greatest opportunity a human being is lucky to have and he hurt you. I wish you a lifetime of love and support and kindness.
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The way I see it, all these parents who are doing these terrible things do not deserve their children. Children deserve loving parents who will give their all and do everything in their power to support them above all things.
These are all horrid in their own ways.....but #19 (the dog that was put in a shelter as a punishment to a child not doing well in school) absolutely made me tear up. How can people be this cruel and controlling. Go get psych degrees everyone....they'll always be a use for them with this brand of nutbags around!
Never thought I’d hear of such evil, stupid, and moronic parents! It really makes me want to be in law enforcement, the illegal kind.
My boyfriend’s mom is one of those people who constantly posts/shares hateful and prejudiced content on Facebook especially stuff related to LGBTQ people. One of her grandkids is gay (my boyfriend’s niece) she threatens her with taking away her inheritance when she dies if she doesn’t go to church with her..
To everyone else who's suffering abuse at the hands of a parent/guardian, I want you to know that you don't have to be grateful that it's not worse. I'm aware that many of my stepmom's actions don't even get close to some of the things I see here, but that still doesn't make her a good person: she tried to punish one of her kids for having suicidal thoughts, and is very backhanded about how she supports my transgender (FTM) stepbrother. (I'm also a closeted FTM, and she's one of the very reasons I'm closeted.)
It is so unfortunate that too many damaged people are not self-aware. Instead of seeking help, they go on to have children and to pass that damage along to the next generation. My family was the same. I am 57 now, and in the decades since my childhood I have learned: that I have to be responsible for healing myself, and for finding my own love sources; that my parents were also damaged and abused as children; to have compassion for my parents' suffering without denying the real pain and anger that I still feel; to thank my parents for giving me life itself. Without life, none of my journey would have been possible. I wish ultimate love and calm, a life free from abuse and toxic relationships, and a fruitful uplifting journey to all of us: children who suffer beyond imagination.
We need licenses to have a dog, but any idiot can reproduce. Maybe one day we will change that.
So... some of these are fabricated for shock value and noted on original posts on Reddit.
Allthough there are probably plenty of people like that, I bet more than half of these are fake
Wait what? There's no woman bashing is there? I saw dysfunctional parents in this thread, mothers and father's, and I know of parents who do this kind of s**t i dont see it as fake anecdotes, and I genuinely didn't see any gender agenda? (Omg I love how that rhymes though as a side note: gender agenda)
Load More Replies... I've said it before and I'll say it again - this is why I hate when people are pushing the "Everyone should respect their parents" idea. Yes - there are many great parents and they deserve recognition, respect and care. But there are also, unfortunately, many parents like these and their children deserve support and understanding when they decide to stop seeing them and cease contact. If you're in that situation - I admire you, it's immensely tough to stand up to your parents and even harder to actually cut them out of your lives. May you find better people to have around who'll make your family. Because blood doesn't make a family. Love does.
I'll type here what I typed below: The Bible says, "Honour your mother and father." But the Bible also says, "Parents, don't invoke your children to wrath." I interpret that as respect is earned.
Load More Replies... I don know what to say. I live in a situation like this, but I'm scared to share because I'm worried somehow I'll get in trouble. all I can say is: Other kids in this situation, they may make you think that you're a failure, that you're useless, that you deserve whats happening to you. it's not. it's really not. never forget it.
Dear Pineapple and flowers, Thank you for reaching out. Just like you said to all those other kids, you do not deserve this. This is not your fault. The abuser is at fault, the abuser is responsible. You have done nothing wrong. You deserve love and respect over and over again, only love.
Load More Replies... I really hope and pray for the best for everybody stuck in such situations at this present. It should be a no brainer that we all deserve basic human decency and respect, yet it upsets me deeply that we still haven't overcome this type of behaviour. If it's anything, this random stranger on the internet cares for you, supports you, is proud of your accomplishments, understands your pains, and most of all, loves you. Sending good vibes and best wishes towards everybody's way. PS: I don't think it was a good decision to read this entire article in one sitting, lol.
I did all I was told to do. I still got beat. Some parents are too damaged as people to be good parents.
This isn't the exact quote (I'm paraphrasing) but it's in the bible for those "Christian" parents. The Bible says, "Honour your mother and father." But the Bible also says, "Parents, don't invoke your children to wrath." I interpret that as respect is earned.
Aaaaaand now I feel like a rockstar parent. I had a few doosies from my own childhood. 'You're ruining my marriage' when severe depression was making it difficult to get out of bed in time to do my morning chores and make it to the bus stop on time. This was said while basically shoving me out of a moving car down the street from my school. And 'I hope you got that out of your system' when coming out that a friend of mine had been more than just a friend. Then there was that time when my step dad called me a whore when I went home for Christmas. Fun times! I remind myself of how these, and many other incidents, felt any time I feel myself loosing my patience with my own kids. Abuse causes lifelong damage and I refuse to perpetuate that cycle.
This is one of the most horrific articles I've seen on Bored Panda. It's not about parents who "went too far" or "got shamed." Many of these examples are abuse perpetrated by parents onto their children.
We drank the foam off our parents beer as kids and I didnt even like drinking at my friends as a teen. Didnt drink more often till like 36.
Big difference between disciplining children (i.e. teaching them manners and good behaviour) and abusing children. Physical discipline is unnecessary - just a bit of common sense and communication with your kids. Most people these days seem too afraid to even raise their voice to the kid, and then wonder why the children turn out so awful and uncontrollable (which doesn't help the kid at all in their future lives).
The two worst kinds of parents are authoritarian and absent/permissive. You get the screaming, bullying abusive and inconsistent in the authoritarian and the absent, inconsistent, "shrug" neglectful from the permissive. There is a vast field of positive between those two poles.
Load More Replies... This is quite possibly some of the most f’d up s I’ve ever seen posted here
This is so sad & painful to read. I lived in a broken home, my Dad used to beat me from the age of 3 upwards, I remember he was drunk the first time around Christmas. Afterwards, he quit drinking but it wasn't the alcohol that fueled his violent outbursts. I was told I was worthless, ugly, lazy, the black sheep of the family, etc. I was punched in the stomach, kicked, dragged by the hair & he tried to smother me with a pillow on one occasion, then tried to buy me something because he felt bad afterwards. I was only 14 & had nowhere to go. Honestly I blotted a lot of it out but now getting therapy as an adult in my late twenties & no longer see my Dad.
Laura, I hope telling your story helps. I'm so sorry that man was your father. I always wanted children, and it kills me to think he had the greatest opportunity a human being is lucky to have and he hurt you. I wish you a lifetime of love and support and kindness.
Load More Replies... The way I see it, all these parents who are doing these terrible things do not deserve their children. Children deserve loving parents who will give their all and do everything in their power to support them above all things.
These are all horrid in their own ways.....but #19 (the dog that was put in a shelter as a punishment to a child not doing well in school) absolutely made me tear up. How can people be this cruel and controlling. Go get psych degrees everyone....they'll always be a use for them with this brand of nutbags around!
Never thought I’d hear of such evil, stupid, and moronic parents! It really makes me want to be in law enforcement, the illegal kind.
My boyfriend’s mom is one of those people who constantly posts/shares hateful and prejudiced content on Facebook especially stuff related to LGBTQ people. One of her grandkids is gay (my boyfriend’s niece) she threatens her with taking away her inheritance when she dies if she doesn’t go to church with her..
To everyone else who's suffering abuse at the hands of a parent/guardian, I want you to know that you don't have to be grateful that it's not worse. I'm aware that many of my stepmom's actions don't even get close to some of the things I see here, but that still doesn't make her a good person: she tried to punish one of her kids for having suicidal thoughts, and is very backhanded about how she supports my transgender (FTM) stepbrother. (I'm also a closeted FTM, and she's one of the very reasons I'm closeted.)
It is so unfortunate that too many damaged people are not self-aware. Instead of seeking help, they go on to have children and to pass that damage along to the next generation. My family was the same. I am 57 now, and in the decades since my childhood I have learned: that I have to be responsible for healing myself, and for finding my own love sources; that my parents were also damaged and abused as children; to have compassion for my parents' suffering without denying the real pain and anger that I still feel; to thank my parents for giving me life itself. Without life, none of my journey would have been possible. I wish ultimate love and calm, a life free from abuse and toxic relationships, and a fruitful uplifting journey to all of us: children who suffer beyond imagination.
We need licenses to have a dog, but any idiot can reproduce. Maybe one day we will change that.
So... some of these are fabricated for shock value and noted on original posts on Reddit.
Allthough there are probably plenty of people like that, I bet more than half of these are fake
Wait what? There's no woman bashing is there? I saw dysfunctional parents in this thread, mothers and father's, and I know of parents who do this kind of s**t i dont see it as fake anecdotes, and I genuinely didn't see any gender agenda? (Omg I love how that rhymes though as a side note: gender agenda)
Load More Replies...