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.
This post may include affiliate links.
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
"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
Oh Yes They Will...
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.
The Mother Steals And Sells Her Daughter's Pet Snake While Her Daughter Was Out Of Town
Hope she got her snake back and reported her mum for theft.
It Sure Is A Mystery
Got Shot In An Armed Robbery? Sounds Like A You Problem. In My Day We Just Died
Yes....the crime of daring to be shot in the arm by a robber The audacity
Actual Disease Denial Or Pettiness?
My Mom, 13 Minutes After I Asked Her To Stop Trying To Encourage My 78yr Old Grandmother To Go Out Without A Mask
The Nerve Of This Mom
I'm The Bad Guy Now, Apparently, For Asking My Father To Make Sure His Whooping Cough Vaccine Is Up To Date Before He Snuggles Up To My Son Who Is Due Soon
Mother Wants Daughter To Get Plastic Surgery Because “Ugly People Go Nowhere Nowadays” Link To Article In The Comments.
What a despicable person, that girl is gorgeous. If anyone is ugly it is the mum due to her ugly attitude.
Idk If This Interaction With My Dad Counts
I Was Taking A Test
The Irony
I hear this all the time. It is IMPOSSIBLE to catch the flu from the flu shot because it is NOT a live vaccine. It is a coincidence and not only that the flu vaccine doesn't cover all the strains of the flu so whilst you may be vaccinated against Influenza A and B doesn't mean you are vaccinated against influenza C and D.
Anti-Vaxxers Holding Their Kids Medical Hostages.
This Guy Is 20 And In University
This seems to be a way to avoid the girl. I assume a 20 year old university guy will be more technically knowledgeable than his parents.
Jesus Take The Wheel
When Your Parent Goes On A Drunk Tirade And Destroys $2,000 Of Your Property
She’s Literally Killing Her Son. This Page Is Full Of Insane Parents Thinking They Know More Than The Doctors
Imagine Encouraging Or Even Allowing Your Children To Dress Up Like This On Halloween
How Dare People Spend Their Own Money On Things?
No Poison For You, Sweetie. Just Meningitis
you know something is wrong when your child misreads the word "vaccine" for "poison"
Back At It Again With Another Veggie Insanity Photo!
My Mom Is Withholding My Unemployment And Took The Grant The Cares Act Gave Out To The Students (I’m Staying With A Friend Rn)
Surely this is paid into your bank account where your mum can't touch it.
Glad You’ll Have Fun, Clever Mom
As someone with severe arachnophobia that affects my eating habits, this is terrible. If someone tells you their phobia, do not take advantage of that. Do not ridicule them, do not ‘prank’ them, do not make them feel bad for having that phobia — because, guess what? Phobias are meant to be irrational fears, something you can't control.
My Dad Has Been Convinced That Michelle Obama Is A Man For Years. I Love Him, But Wow
My Friend Just Sent Me This. Her Stepmom Took Her Stepsister To Get Food Without Her, And Then When She Went To Go Get Food By Herself She Grounded Her
My Sister Is 1.5 Hours Away In The Start Of A Bad Storm, But That Clearly Doesn’t Matter
My Mom's Reaction When I Sent Her A Picture From A Post On This Sub
I Was Granted Emergency Custody Of My Daughter And This Was Her Mom's Response When She Found Out
I Was Kidnapped By My Mom And My Life Was Hell For 2 Years Because She Was A [Crappy] Parent And Lost Custody Of Us
I, Bi And Closeted To My Family, Went To New York With My Boyfriend And My Mother Had Some Concerns
Very Normal Thing To Do With Your Dad
My Dad Thinks He Is Entitled To My Money (Which I Don't Have Much Of) Because "It's Christmas"
I Literally Did All My Chores When I Was Asked And I Was Still Grounded, I Actually Can’t Anymore
27.7k People Believe This Is The Potato Drawing Out The Fever And Not Oxidizing... These Poor Kids
A Girl With Over 125k Followers Posted This
I Was Getting Strep Throat, My Dad Was 2 Hours Away At His Girlfriends House, He Refused To Take Me To The Doctor (Im 17 And Cant Take Myself) And Was Teasing Me, This Is A Message From His Girlfriend, I Drove 4 Hours To My Moms House So I Could Go To The Doctor
Crack Is Healthier Than Vaccines
I Just Want To Cry And Scream At This Point
So This What I Have To Endure Through This Pandemic. Not Sure Which Is Worst.... And Yah She's An Anti-Vaxx
*facepalm* so viruses can travel as electronic information and then reform on the other side in a physical way? Dear God wonkavision has come to life XD
Stop Talking About Your Children’s Genitalia, You Weird Bastard
How much time is spent looking at your daughters ' genitalia? They should be removed from that home.
My Mom Thinks Im On Drugs Because I Left The Toilet Seat Up And Got A C In One Class
I Go Through This Almost Every Week
Wow, Passive Aggressive Much Mom?
"Mom, I've accepted Jesus into my heart." "That's wonderful, honey!" "Psych! April Fool's, you lunatic! Don't contact me ever again."
This Stuff Messes Kids Up
Insane Parents
No, There’s No Literature. The Nurse Just Wants Your Child To Survive
Shared By My Dad... Who Encouraged My Older Sister To Kill Herself
I Refuse To Believe Anyone Can Be This Brainless
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'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...