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They say that you always stay a child for your parent. And that’s 100% true.

But some moms, dads, aunts, uncles and grandmas and -pas take their love to a whole new level by showering their little children with endless love and care. Except that often they’re not so little, but rather grown-up adults paying their bills, building their careers, and sometimes, having their own families.

Below we wrapped up some of the funniest and most wholesome examples of parents and caregivers treating their adult kids like children. Psst! More funny pictures of parents nurturing their adult kids can be found in our previous feature.

“Parenting is a lifelong commitment and it is hard for us as parents to let go and grow with our children as they age,” Anisa Lewis, a positive parenting and life coach, told Bored Panda in an interview via email. Scroll down to see what she said about why some parents treat their grown-up kids as if they were kids.

#1

My Mom Remembered I Don't Have Room In My Place For A Christmas Tree, So She Made Me This Wreath With Built-In Lights And All The Ornaments From When I Was A Kid

My Mom Remembered I Don't Have Room In My Place For A Christmas Tree, So She Made Me This Wreath With Built-In Lights And All The Ornaments From When I Was A Kid

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#2

Came Home And Found This. I Love My Mom

Came Home And Found This. I Love My Mom

I'm an adult, I live with my parents because I could not afford to move out until now (I got my degree 6 years ago, then started a PhD, and now I'm completing a specialization course in oral surgery). I got a wonderful girlfriend and I deeply love my parents, but due to being a bit too quiet and introvert at home, I do not tell them how much I appreciate and admire their hard work to raise me as much as I should. Today I came back from the hospital where I work and found this little gem waiting for me in my room. Yesterday was my birthday and this is a gift I won't forget, maybe it's not much for you, but it's everything to me knowing that my mom is behind it with all of her heart.

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#3

Always Asked For A Skateboard As A Kid. My Parents Said Not Until I'm 35. Today They Delivered

Always Asked For A Skateboard As A Kid. My Parents Said Not Until I'm 35. Today They Delivered

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Anisa Lewis explained that when children grow up and leave home, it does leave a hole in a parent's world. “They have for the past x number of years (depending on the child’s age) put that child at the center of their world and it can be a hard adjustment for parents.”

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She also argues that it may also be a joyous time or one of gratitude for raising a child who is able now to stand on their own two feet. “At the end of the day, children of whatever age will always be their parents ‘baby,’ letting go for some parents might just be harder for some than others.”

In some cases, “it could also be that the grown child still needs a parent figure or due to family dynamics they resort back to childlike behaviors or patterns. Families are so interesting!” Anisa explained.

#4

This Is What Happens When I Leave My 90-Year-Old Mother Alone In The Kitchen For Ten Minutes

This Is What Happens When I Leave My 90-Year-Old Mother Alone In The Kitchen For Ten Minutes

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#6

Check Out The Scarf My Mom Made For Me. Love You, Mom

Check Out The Scarf My Mom Made For Me. Love You, Mom

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Sometimes, adult children may feel overwhelmed with all the attention they get from their parents. Anisa confirmed that it indeed can be overwhelming to still be parented when you yourself are an adult.

“My advice is to open up and communicate, don’t bottle things up. Use ‘I feel’ statements to speak to your parent(s), come from a place of love and gratitude for all that they have done and perhaps are still doing but be open and honest with where you are at and what you want,” she said.

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“Perhaps you can problem solve together to work out a solution that will work for everyone, it could be a way to build the family bond and make it even stronger by finding a united way forward,” the parenting coach concluded.

#7

My Husband Is A Full-Grown Mining Engineer. His Mom Got Him This As A Gift. It Took Him A Night To Build It And He Won't Share It With The Kids

My Husband Is A Full-Grown Mining Engineer. His Mom Got Him This As A Gift. It Took Him A Night To Build It And He Won't Share It With The Kids

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#8

I'm A Teacher In Canada, My Mom Made Me This Scarf To Keep Me Warm

I'm A Teacher In Canada, My Mom Made Me This Scarf To Keep Me Warm

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#9

Some Moms Never Think It’s Too Late For Baby Pics

Some Moms Never Think It’s Too Late For Baby Pics

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In some rarer cases, treating an adult like a child can have serious consequences. In psychology, it’s known as infantilization, which creates a cycle of dependence in which the adult constantly needs to be told what to do and how to do it.

Southern Mississippi researchers believe that it’s the excessive control involved in overparenting that is at the heart of the difficulties that children of narcissistic parents can experience. According to this article from Psychology Today, Winner and Nicholson define “parental psychological control” (PPC) as emotional intrusion, not just the attempts to limit the child from becoming a grown-up.

#10

My Mother Made Me The 2-Year-Old Outfit And The 39-Year-Old Outfit

My Mother Made Me The 2-Year-Old Outfit And The 39-Year-Old Outfit

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

I had a little sailor suit when I was a kid too! I loved it because it reminded me of Donald Duck, who I identified with because he had the same explosive temper as me.

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#11

This Year I Am Going To Miss My Yearly Family Easter Egg Hunt And Dinner Because I Am Away From Home Training To Be A Flight Attendant. My Mom Sent Me This Care Package

This Year I Am Going To Miss My Yearly Family Easter Egg Hunt And Dinner Because I Am Away From Home Training To Be A Flight Attendant. My Mom Sent Me This Care Package

The eggs had cash in them.

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#12

My Mom Made Me This Blanket For Christmas. She's Awesome With Her Hands

My Mom Made Me This Blanket For Christmas. She's Awesome With Her Hands

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Moreover, a growing body of research suggests that the potential for parents to go too far in their desire to remain prominent and involved within their children’s lives appears to be linked to the development of narcissistic traits.

Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D., ABPP, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, argues that “we do not know what their parents were actually like, but the existence of this relationship suggests how narcissism can be passed on from generation to generation.”

“Parents who dig around in the emotional lives of their children will produce children who may, in turn, feel that this is the best way to raise a child. The Winner and Nicholson study sheds light on one step in the process: the recollection by children of how their parents treat them.”

#13

I'm 21 And My Dad Still Makes Me An Advent Calendar Every Year With My Favorite Candies. Thanks, Dad

I'm 21 And My Dad Still Makes Me An Advent Calendar Every Year With My Favorite Candies. Thanks, Dad

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#14

Got A Cryptic Text From Mom Today To Look At My Porch. My Siblings And I Are All Adults Now, But Still Mom Never Misses Easter

Got A Cryptic Text From Mom Today To Look At My Porch. My Siblings And I Are All Adults Now, But Still Mom Never Misses Easter

Not when we were all in college, not when I was working on the other side of the country for a few years, and certainly not during a global pandemic. Love you mom.

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

This is making me miss my mom! If we lived in the same country she would do things like this. 😥

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#15

Every Year On My Birthday My Dad Lays Out My Childhood Toys "The Guys" And It Makes Him So Excited

Every Year On My Birthday My Dad Lays Out My Childhood Toys "The Guys" And It Makes Him So Excited

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#16

My Mom Got Me Super Mario Sheets For Christmas. I'm 22 And Have Been Living In My Own Apartment For 4 Years

My Mom Got Me Super Mario Sheets For Christmas. I'm 22 And Have Been Living In My Own Apartment For 4 Years

I looked confused and disappointed. She said "What? It's not like anyone else is going to see your sheets" and now I don't know if that was ignorance, an insult, or innocence.

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#17

Christmas Present From My Parents For My 25-Year-Old Self. I Built It In Under 2 Days And Had A Blast

Christmas Present From My Parents For My 25-Year-Old Self. I Built It In Under 2 Days And Had A Blast

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#18

My Mom Still Does My Old Room Up Like This When I Visit For Christmas. I'm 33 Years Old

My Mom Still Does My Old Room Up Like This When I Visit For Christmas. I'm 33 Years Old

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#19

This 58-Year-Old Dad Still Dyeing Eggs Even Though All The Kids Have Left The Nest

This 58-Year-Old Dad Still Dyeing Eggs Even Though All The Kids Have Left The Nest

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

My son, 18, and I, 47, still dye eggs every year and have the greatest time laughing, talking, and reminiscing. I would fight to the death over having time like this with him. I know the day will eventually come that we won't do this stuff anymore, but I'm going to enjoy each second I can get of times like these while I can! I love you, my dearest buddy!

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#20

My Mom Kept All Of My Childhood Converses. These Are The Pairs I Wore To The Age Of 14

My Mom Kept All Of My Childhood Converses. These Are The Pairs I Wore To The Age Of 14

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#21

I'm 33. My Mom Made These For Me. Couldn't Be Happier

I'm 33. My Mom Made These For Me. Couldn't Be Happier

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#23

The Left One I Got For My 1st Birthday. The Right One For 31st. My Mom Is Awesome

The Left One I Got For My 1st Birthday. The Right One For 31st. My Mom Is Awesome

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#26

My Sister And I Are In Our Late 20s But My Dad Still Makes Us Easter Baskets

My Sister And I Are In Our Late 20s But My Dad Still Makes Us Easter Baskets

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

Love the rolled up fiver in there! Lol! Dad knows what's up!

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#27

My Mom Still Flips The Bread To Hide The Fact That I'm Eating An End Piece. I'm A Senior In High School

My Mom Still Flips The Bread To Hide The Fact That I'm Eating An End Piece. I'm A Senior In High School

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#28

My Mom Knitted A Little Beanie For My CAE Shifter Because It Gets Hot In The Sun! It Has "Miata" On It

My Mom Knitted A Little Beanie For My CAE Shifter Because It Gets Hot In The Sun! It Has "Miata" On It

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#29

This Dad Saw His Daughter At Our Local Fair And Didn’t Like What She Was Wearing

This Dad Saw His Daughter At Our Local Fair And Didn’t Like What She Was Wearing

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

Or we could all just stop gatekeeping each other and see that they're both smiling and laughing. Let them be happy and stop judging situations we aren't there for

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#30

I'm Almost 33, Live 900 Miles Away - And Still Get A Valentine's Card From My Mom. She's Never Missed A Year

I'm Almost 33, Live 900 Miles Away - And Still Get A Valentine's Card From My Mom. She's Never Missed A Year

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#32

Parents Said They’d Bring “Some Bagels” With Them From North NJ

Parents Said They’d Bring “Some Bagels” With Them From North NJ

This was HALF of what they brought. This loot was for me and husband. The other half was for my sister. This photo is 44 full size bagels and 18 minis. We had eaten 6 already, and sister kept the rest. Total was around 85

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

OMG.........I would LOVE this. Of course, I would have to slice and freeze 90% of them and I don't have the freezer space for it. But I would SO love to get that kind of present.

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#33

I'm Almost 49 And My Mom Still Makes Me A Basket Every Year (The Bunny One Is For My 17-Year-Old Daughter)

I'm Almost 49 And My Mom Still Makes Me A Basket Every Year (The Bunny One Is For My 17-Year-Old Daughter)

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#34

I Live In Thailand. I'm 35. Mom Still Sends Me Awesome Care Packages

I Live In Thailand. I'm 35. Mom Still Sends Me Awesome Care Packages

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#35

My Mom Has Made An Easter Basket For Me Every Year For 36 Years. While The Contents Have Evolved. Her Reason For Doing It Made Me Smile. I’ll Never Be Too Old For This

My Mom Has Made An Easter Basket For Me Every Year For 36 Years. While The Contents Have Evolved. Her Reason For Doing It Made Me Smile. I’ll Never Be Too Old For This

This year included eggs, bacon, sausage, orange juice, and ham for easter breakfast, it’s always included candy.

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#36

I'm In My 30s, And My Adorable Mom Still Becomes Excessively Concerned For My Safety Every Time I Leave Town

I'm In My 30s, And My Adorable Mom Still Becomes Excessively Concerned For My Safety Every Time I Leave Town

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#37

The Door To My And My Two Brothers' Childhood Bedroom. Our Parents Have Kept It Like This

The Door To My And My Two Brothers' Childhood Bedroom. Our Parents Have Kept It Like This

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

My cousin's door and a whole wall plus half of another one is is similarly covered in all the Garbage Pail Kids stickers we stuck up back in the 80's. My aunt redecorated his room several times and had even painted and wallpapered around them. It's fun when I get to visit her every couple of years or so and go in to look them over. A lot of good memories right there. Thanks, Aunt Katy!😘

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#38

22 And My Mom Still Spoils Me. Shout Out To All The Moms In The World

22 And My Mom Still Spoils Me. Shout Out To All The Moms In The World

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#39

My Mom Made Me A Meatloaf Heart For Valentine’s Day Because I Didn’t Have A Valentine This Year

My Mom Made Me A Meatloaf Heart For Valentine’s Day Because I Didn’t Have A Valentine This Year

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#40

This Is The Christmas Tree At My Parents' House. I Live In A Different Town, In A Student Residence But My Parents Waited For Me To Put It Up

This Is The Christmas Tree At My Parents' House. I Live In A Different Town, In A Student Residence But My Parents Waited For Me To Put It Up

I am back at my place and I really miss them, it's the first time I spend this season away. Happily, I'll be home again before Christmas day.

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#41

Grandma Got All The Boys Christmas Boxers And Didn't Realize The Ones For My Dad Were Grass-Themed

Grandma Got All The Boys Christmas Boxers And Didn't Realize The Ones For My Dad Were Grass-Themed

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#42

My Mom Wrote A Letter To Santa With My Christmas Wish List Without My Knowledge And It Arrived On Tuesday

My Mom Wrote A Letter To Santa With My Christmas Wish List Without My Knowledge And It Arrived On Tuesday

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#43

My Mom Made Me A Custom T-Shirt. I'm 27 And This Is The Best Gift Ever

My Mom Made Me A Custom T-Shirt. I'm 27 And This Is The Best Gift Ever

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#44

I Found My Old Childhood Batman Blanket At My Parents' House! Best Pre-Christmas Gift Ever

I Found My Old Childhood Batman Blanket At My Parents' House! Best Pre-Christmas Gift Ever

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#45

My Childhood Drawings From 15 Years Ago Weirdly Representing My Love For Mom Are Still There

My Childhood Drawings From 15 Years Ago Weirdly Representing My Love For Mom Are Still There

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Note: this post originally had 47 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.