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Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world. It’s impossible to do it perfectly, but there are a million different ways to do it well. As long as your little ones have all of the love and support they need, as well as a clean and safe place to rest their heads at night, you're probably doing a great job.

But sadly, there are some moms and dads out there who could use a lesson in how to be a good parent. Redditors have recently been sharing glaringly obvious red flags that someone’s not a good parent, so we’ve gathered the most heartbreaking ones below. We hope that none of these examples remind you of your own mother and father, pandas, but they might be good reminders of what not to do with your kids. 

#1

“What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Filming everything your child does and creating a social media page to garner likes and ad revenue.

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Kalikima
Community Member
Premium
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son (7) is convinced he wants to be a youtuber.. I refuse to let him, there's too many crazy people online..

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    #2

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Your own children being afraid of you, no child should be afraid of the person that looks after them nearly 24/7.

    69narcos , Mikhail Nilov / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    ILoveMySon
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I noticed this in the children of a neighbor years ago and started paying more attention. Turned the parents into CPS. I was correct in my deduction and the children were removed. Yes I WILL be "that person" where children are concerned.

    Cassie
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was afraid of my father. Today was the first time in my life I stood up to him without fear. I turn 50 later this year.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m 42 now and I’m still afraid of my mother, who is 79. She is a toxic narcissist who used to beat me with whatever she happened to have in her hand. She pressed a gun to my throat when I was 6 and told my dad she would kill me if he went on a business trip. She is still violent and a horrible person (and my sister is just like her.) I won’t be sad at all when she dies. That’s what you get when you’re a violent, abusive parent - your kids will hate you forever.

    Dill
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hope she is no longer in your life - though sympathy if she is. No one needs to feel guilted into staying in contact if they don't want to, or be judged if they do.

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    Nikki Gross
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My Dad was killed on May 21, we buried him on May 23 and my 7th birthday was May 24, 1984. He was incredibly violent when he was drunk and an very controlling hardass the rest of the time. It's sad that his dying might have been the best thing for our family. He always told Mom that if she ever took us and left then he would find her and kill all of us and anytime we tried to call the cops it just made things worse. He was 46 years old when he died and it's weird to think that I've now outlived him when I turned 47. I learned a lot of things about his life before he met Mom and that after what my Grandmother put him through that he never stood a chance. I do have some good memories of him, but he did some really bad things to my siblings and I so they absolutely hate him. My Mom was the best though and she was my best friend and it still tears me up that she's gone. I miss her more then I can ever say or explain how much she meant to me.

    Mel Colley
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was deathly afraid of my mother, she beat me and berated me pretty much everyday. When I left home at 17, it took me 8 years for the intimidation to wear off. There have been times she's tried to bully me but I held my ground and she's backed off quickly. Looking back I now realize that she was nothing more than a coward that would continue until you stand up to them.

    Rose the Cook
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a different attitude to when I grew up in Australia. The idea then was , in my family, that a "good" child was basically a terrified child. Regular beatings, threats and blamed for everything was the order of the day.

    My O My
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    May I ask how old you are? I'm in my 30s and grew up (mostly in germany) with a NZ father. And I too was the "good" terrified child

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    Liz The Biz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was afraid of my mother. She was a horrible narcissist and our relationship was toxic. she never had a civil word for me. I could never do a single thing right. She called me "thick", "stupid" and "useless" every day, and when you're a child being told that every day of your life you eventually start to believe it. Some days i hardly dared to breathe. I spent my entire childhood walking on eggshells around her and by the time I was 16 thanks to her I had no self confidence and no self worth. I left home as soon as I could when I was 17. Some years later she launched a relentless tirade of abuse on me because I wasn't raising my kids her way. For the first time in my life I stood up to her and said, "I'm your daughter, not your enemy but if you want me as an enemy that's fine". I think it hit home because since then the has treated me like a human being and not something she has stepped in.

    Chris Christo
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I grew up being afraid of my parents. My mom died 2 years ago (I was 54) and I don't know why but I am not sad or grieving. In fact, I do know why... It's your guess

    Jessany Trotter
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That might be highly likely because of abuse: emotional, physical, psychological

    Allan D
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think this belongs here. Being abusive is considerably worse than simply bad parenting and should have its own category.

    Hales M
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Went to a holiday party where one of the coworkers talked openly about how great it is that his kids are afraid of him and how he hits them. Also in attendance was a social worker who overheard the whole thing.

    Michelle C
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup. As I said before, I genuinely pity my dad now.

    Moezzzz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we used to run to our rooms when my dad came home from work and listen from the door to see what kind of mood he was in before opening it. I was called stupid, worthless, no man would ever want me (GOD did I wish I were a lesbian JUST to rub that in his face) bc I could not clean or cook correctly (According to him). He never cared about my grades bc there was no way I would get into college (Jokes on him- I was the first on either side of the family to go to college and graduate! Then my brother- Biological brother). Stopped speaking to him over 10 years ago bc he never contacted my sons- my poor ex husband asked me years ago why he called him to beg for the boys to come see him over summer breaks but that was the last call he ever got). My sons no longer ask about him. (They are AMAZING people btw- I could not ask for better kids, although they are now adults). SOmetimes blood means nothing.

    Dawnieangel76
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think children should learn to fear CONSEQUENCES of their actions, but since the parents are the main person in their lives, that may go hand in hand.

    Sami-Jo Ross
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm almost 30 and have nightmares about my dad. I'm pretty sure that's not normal...

    C. S.
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me and my old man. Chased Mom away with scare tactics for years. Parenting method was intimidation and fear, based on being a mean alcoholic. Situation flipped entirely when Mom learned there were two calls to police from me about the old man beating my brother. He stank like hell the day I left, couldn't articulate words, and I left him to rot. Thank you for saving my life, Mom.

    Rebekah Fuentes
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was terrified of my parents. Not healthy at all. Therapy is a gift.

    kay321
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I actually worry about this with my nephews, their parents are always shouting at them and they get smacked for nothing. I always stood up for them and comforted them afterwards but now I'm banned from seeing them.

    Laura Parker
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Children SHOULD have a healthy ‘fear’ of their parents! It used to be called respect, but today’s parents are too busy trying to be their child’s bff rather than setting and enforcing rules. If parents don’t teach it to them, the legal system usually has to!

    Dane Smith
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was never afraid of my parent till they snapped their fingers and used my full name. Then it was time to reign myself in and be cautious.

    Vinnie
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That sounds like a heads up so that you can adjust your behaviour. More normal than an adult lashing out for anything and everything. Hard for a kid to tell not-so-great from terrible when a parent acts as if "you looked at me the wrong way" was just as bad as "you tripped your baby brother on purpose".

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    Sunny Day
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    They shouldn't be afraid of their parent, but they *should* be afraid of the adult who will mete out the punishment for the bad things the kid did. They need that bit of fear to.act as a deterrent from future bad behavior.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No child should be afraid of ANY adult in their lives. That’s a disgusting concept.

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    #3

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back When the older kids have no life or time on their own as they're too busy raising their siblings.

    DeviousWhippet , Anna Shvets / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This happened to my mom, the oldest of seven. Her mom was a dingbat and her dad worked long hours in a factory to provide for nine freaking people. Oh Catholicism.

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    #4

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Using children as pawns in divorces or separations.

    KarlTremblay , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Andy Cran
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the parents get so wrapped up in themselves they don't see what emotional damage it does to the kids they're trying to score brownie points for...the kids get lost in the middle

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    #5

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back I'll use my mom as an example: When their goal is to have a child, not to raise an adult. So they purposefully keep them young, discourage independence, and pour their entire identity into being mom. Then, when that kid becomes an adult, they have no idea what to do with their life.

    Djeter998 , Keira Burton / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    pineapple87
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, I've seen too much of this. It's not always about not wanting your kid to grow up, though, a lot of the time a parent just does everything for them because "it's just faster if I do it myself" without realizing that they're denying their kids the chance to learn vital life skills.

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    #6

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Letting your child watch a video on their iPad on full volume in a restaurant. Please parent your child and engage with them so they know how when they are older.

    Vanessacery , Oleksandr P / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Brenda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ear buds or headphones. They're a thing

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    #7

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Taking their bedroom door off because they haven't "earned" privacy.

    DeviousWhippet , Ksenia Chernaya / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Nikki Gross
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My Mom did that to me one time and I completely deserved it. I was 15 and we were arguing and I had a bad habit of slamming my door when I was mad. She told me if I slammed it one more time that she was taking it off its hinge, so being a brat I yelled and slammed it again. 2 seconds later Mom comes in with a hammer and screwdriver and took it off the hinge. At the time it was just the two of us living in our house, so it wasn't like I lost all privacy since it was in the summer and Mom was at work most of the time and i only lost it for 3 days. I learned my lesson since I'm 47 and she's gone now but I still won't slam a door.

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    #8

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Being on your phone while the kids are running rampant. i get people need breaks but at a restaurant i don't really want kids coming over to my table and messing with food and screaming everywhere.

    False_Ad636 , Vitolda Klein / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe two years ago I was at a restaurant with my then boyfriend and his family. His brother has two kids and his sister has one. Who had to wrangle them?? Me. These kids were all over the place… The parents and grandparents couldn’t have cared less.

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    #9

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Stealing from your child. When I started college I had saved up about $800 for books and supplies. Two days before class starts I go to buy my book. I have $600 worth of stuff ranging from up and my card declines. I put everything back and check my bank app. I have $30. It says that the last transaction was an in bank transfer to my dad account. I called him and asked what happened. His response: “I was short on bills. I’ll get you back in two weeks on payday. Me: “ok but you didn’t ask. I need that for school and I just looked like a moron since my card declined.” Him: “I’m the parent. I don’t have to ask you for anything. You should be grateful I’m giving it back at all. It’s not my fault you didn’t check your bank account before trying to make a big purchase. Later that night he cussed me out for changing my passwords and log in info. He says he has the right to see what I’m spending my money on. I got the money back a week later with an extra $200 “for the inconvenience”. But the damage was done. I already had flunked two quizzes because I didn’t have textbooks and my library only had the outdated copy that gave me wrong answers.

    Zandycrush , Karolina Kaboompics / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Garth
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There was a recent story of an 18 year old who had scrimped and saved for college to the tune of nearly 18k. Their parents drained the account and then claimed they were owed. The kid filed a police report and went NC. The parents did time.

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    #10

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Treating your kid as your therapist.

    Ugliest-Mod-Ever , Barbara Olsen / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Red PANda (she/they)
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This doesn’t mean don’t show emotion to your child, just don’t dump all your worries onto them and anxieties that they shouldn’t have to think about as a kid

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    #11

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Having extremely unreasonable, unrealistic expectations for your child, i.e., maintain 5.0 GPA Pre-K to College, earn a noble peace price at 20, somehow get married at 25, and have 6 kids by 30, get six figure job right after college, take care of the entire family on their own dime etc.

    7_Rush , olia danilevich / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Rebel Peewee
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When i was a HS teacher, i was astounded at the shear amount of energy that parents put into making sure their child had perfect grades while totally disregarding helping them shape into functioning adults who, i don't know, could actually thrive in college and beyond, not just get into a good school.

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    #12

    Never apologizes.

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    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was an adult before I found out that parents apologize to their kids. I just assumed it was something that wasn’t done but then they were always, ALWAYS right, and so had nothing to apologize for.

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    #13

    Being Anti-Vax.

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    BoredPossum
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not a terrible parent, but a terrible human being.

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    #14

    Constantly yelling and losing it on your kids. How are they going to learn about stability and communication with parents like that.

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    #15

    Trapping a child in a car as you smoke. Add into the mix the child has chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is a pulmonary disease, not a cold. No child should have this. Commenting for a friend.

    Write_Horror_Repeat Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Born to smokers, raised by smokers. Severe asthmatic for 65 years, in and out of ICUs and ERs. I'm now on a medication that is working, but I'll never get back those years of being miserably sick and ruined occasions my "caregivers" inflicted on me.

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    #16

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Not having open lines of communication, where your children feel they can't talk to you about their day, concerns at school, or what's on their mind, might indicate a need to work on the relationship.

    NumberPractical4830 , Pixabay / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Cassie
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom died when I was a kid and my dad made it very clear that he wasn't interested in dealing with my issues. When I was a teenager, he got offended that I wouldn't come to him for anything, but every time I tried he would get annoyed or even mad. But I'm still the bad guy for not wanting to talk to him about anything.

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    #17

    Parents (usually moms) that self identify as “crunchy/silky/scrunchy/almond/whateverthef**k moms”. Parents that post their kids all over online on the same pages they post their OF links and photos and videos of themselves half naked. Parents who tell everyone their kid is neurodivergent as an excuse for their behavior, especially if they’ve never actually been tested. Family vloggers. Parents who exploit their disabled children for money/attention. Parents who post videos of their kids throwing a fit or getting hurt because they think it’s funny. Parents of adult children who no longer speak to them.

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    pineapple87
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The tantrum filming. I can't even imagine what kind of damage those kids grow up with when their negative emotions have only ever been met with ridicule.

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    #18

    Fetal-alcohol syndrome. When you see it, you know. If you don't know, Google right now. Had a classmate in grade school with it. I was walking through the forest, minding my own business, when a family walked past me going the other way. The father was covered in tattoos and looked older than he should. He had a cigarette hanging out of his cap. The mother was platinum blond wearing all black stretch fabric and a polished face mask of pale looking makeup. They club. And I don't fault them for their lifestyles or priorities. The mother was pushing a stroller with a child; it was a paved trail. The father was just BITCHING about anything and everything - I've never heard so much bitching in a forest, of all places. It's how I knew they were there - I heard him before I saw him. They had a little boy in tow - probably 7-8. My problem with them all was that when we both came around the bend, when they saw me as I saw them, THE FIRST THING this child just out of diapers did, was shout, "HEY! F**K YOU! HEY! HEY! F**K YOU! F**K YOU!" - over, and over again, flipping me the double bird. The father was indifferent, and the mother was hoping to ignore the whole thing. I looked the kid in the eyes and said, "Your parents must be so proud of you." And I carried on. I met up with an old friend. He and I go back to diapers. I haven't seen him in 15 years and we got together for his birthday. He invited some other friends out, too. So we were having a drink when his friends showed up. They had a son. He was 3-4. This was 11pm on a Saturday, in a bar. The child had deep bags under his eyes. They ordered him caffeinated Cola, and poured it into a sippy cup for him. He complained he was tired, they told him to sleep in the booth, which is impossible in a bar at 11pm on a Saturday. Frankly, I had lost my appetite, as it were, to this, and endeavored to speed the night along for the child's sake. Children bear the burden of their bad parents. You look how they behave and that tells you everything you need to know. You look at their outbursts, their scars, their fears, their coping mechanisms.

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    Kalikima
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That poor child, in a bar, just wanting to sleep.. it breaks my heart to hear things like that..

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    #19

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Sheltering children from uncomfortable feelings. You have to let your kids learn to process and handle those feelings. Don't assume something is too hard for them to understand, I promise they already know something is happening/wrong, so help them understand it. This also goes for punishments too. Nobody likes to make their kid mad or cry. It's not fun grounding kids for a messy room, not getting chores done, or lying but they need those life skills. You've only got a set amount of time to teach them to be good, thoughtful, respectful humans.

    0rangeMarmalade , Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Brenda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom ALWAYS talked to us about what we'd done before any punishment was handed out. Sometimes you have a good reason for what you did

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    #20

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Trying to be your child’s friend and not setting structure or expectations or disciplining them.

    Leeser , Brett Sayles / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Brenda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes I'm the mom & sometimes i'm a friend, but my kids are grown

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    #21

    If they hit their children.

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    #22

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back When they expect gratitude for food, shelter and the bare minimum they provided as they had too.

    DeviousWhippet , Timur Weber / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Becca not Becky
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it's good to teach gratitude for the simple things (there are people who don't have those) but it's wrong to weaponize it

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    #23

    Not knowing anything about your child's life. Best friends, favorite things, favorite teacher, what they like or don't like to eat. Not having an interest in them as individuals. Not allowing them to be individuals.

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    #24

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Child : scream parent : scream louder.

    chinchenping , Keira Burton / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Weasel Wise
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Child knows they can't scream cuz it will result in far worse when nobody is looking. My parents are pieces of shìt.

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    #25

    Not showing up for your kids. As someone who's worked up to 3 Jobs at one time I've never missed a concert, sporting event or birthday. There are of course circumstances that can't be bypassed but if you miss more than you attend it's a you problem.

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    Trillian
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That being said, some schools really need to make an effort to make events more "working parents friendly". Especially now just before the summer holidays there is a ton of conferences, get-togethers, sponsored runs, sports competitions and whatnot, I can't take time off for each and I just wish they would move some of it to the later afternoon or weekend.

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    #26

    When a parent compares their child to another child such as their friends, cousins, etc. Never giving the child any praise. Speaking to them as if they are a child when they are a teenager. Not paying attention while they are playing or acknowledging when they come up to you wanting to show you something. Replying “later” to everything they ask you to do. When they want something such as to see their friends, and instead of supporting them, you never allow them any social freedom. The list goes on.

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    #27

    I'm telling on myself from the past here (bad parents can become better), but putting off therapies your child needs and refusing to set boundaries because you feel bad about a situation that happened. This allows for bratty kids who think the world revolves around them and setting boundaries later with the child is Hell. My kiddo is recovering and doing so much better now, but it took a huge wake up call and it shouldn't have. I can't stress this enough: parent your kids! They will be so much better for it in the long run. No amount of guilt should stop you from teaching your children boundaries and how to respect them.

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    #28

    Your kid seeking out other adults to confide in when it comes to difficult topics, because they're scared of how you'll react.

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    Kinak
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    they got to talk to adults? I had no one to talk to cause my parents had ears everywhere

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    #29

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back As someone who works wit elementary aged kids, being too controlling about everything, not just with your kid but trying to control what your kid is around when you aren’t, there are several parents who have tried to get books taken out of our school library, freaked out that teachers put on movies during indoor recess (we are a catholic private school owned by the Archdiocese there are so many restrictions) or even that we give out cookies for after school snack. There are two young kids who have already learned how to lie to their mom, they are in third and first grade so they can have the fun treat we give out instead of just getting an apple while everyone else gets popsicles.

    TheBattyGoddess , Karolina Kaboompics / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #30

    Parents who let their home go to s**t. I get it, kids are messy, lives are busy, and your home will never be perfect. But some scattered toys, piles of schoolwork, and a few drop zones around the place isn’t what I’m talking about. I’m talking about moldy food everywhere, hoarding, not cleaning up after animals, and houses full of rodents and roaches attracted to the biohazard of a mess.

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    Brenda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My house mostly looked like a disaster area when the kids were growing up. It was very cluttered (as I tried to do as many things myself as possible to save money), but it was never filthy dirty.

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    #31

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Playing favourites when all kids should be equally loved (not my experience but my boyfriend's).

    Bright-Sea-5904 , Vidal Balielo Jr. / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Lsai Aeon
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm an only child, my mother's favorite child was anyone else's child. She adopted me but wanted a boy and got a girl. Took it out on me

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    #32

    Parents who cave-in to their kids demands and let the kid control them.

    Goddessviking86 Report

    Garth
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They become self entitled Karens and Kevins whose only goal in life is to talk to your manager

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    #33

    Pressuring constantly his/her own children, displaying them like trophies or accomplishments instead of human beings.

    warrior_of_light998 Report

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    #34

    Smoking a cigarette while holding your baby.

    JadeBlueAfterBurn Report

    Kinak
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my grandpa stopped smoking for us and he's doing much better than before now

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    #35

    Family YouTube channels.

    DeviousWhippet Report

    #36

    Letting them run around a restaurant.

    awakami Report

    2late4me
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Letting their toddler walk free in a parking lot.

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    #37

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back When your kids do the conga around your corpse at your funeral.

    DeviousWhippet , Pavel Danilyuk / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Weasel Wise
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would this be concerning? It's a celebration of release from their abusers and captors.

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    #38

    Giving your kid everything he wants.

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    #39

    “What Screams ‘I’m A Bad Parent’?”: 50 People Hold Nothing Back Anyone who calls them self a boy mom.

    Longjumping-Shake956 , Xavier Mouton Photographie / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Zedrapazia
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For anyone who needs a description what that is: A Boy Mom is an Instagram and TikTok trend of women who specifically wanted a boy, are now absolutely spoiling that kid with no boundaries at all, and have weirdly parasitic, boyfriend-like relationships to their own sons if they are older

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    #40

    “We don’t say no in this household.” The idea and sentiment behind that phrase I can understand but the way the majority of parents put this in practice is just always saying, “Yes.” I’ve been in numerous 504 meetings where the the behavioral issue can be mitigated by boundaries.

    Practicing_Anonymity Report

    kitten levels tokyo
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This would hit me different if I knew what a 504 meeting was.

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    #41

    Parents with fat kids who continue to feed them garbage.

    Click-bayt1025 Report

    kitten levels tokyo
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read that some people live in “Food Deserts” where the only options are garbage food and extreme fatness. 🤷‍♂️

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    #42

    Not leading by example.

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    BoredPossum
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is not optimal but not terrible either. That stuff is hard.

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    #43

    Your kids at grandmas more than with you because you’re out having a “good time” every weekend!

    Paparazzit23 Report

    LandAhoy (they/them)
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is OK- shared custody with grandparent if grandparent is willing. Essential with young parents who may otherwise resent having a child. A million times better than the parents partying all weekend with them NOT being sent to Grandma's.

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    #44

    I'm an "influencer" and my kids are part of my channel.

    Capitalistdecadence Report

    FluffyDreg
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know someone who has a survivalist/camping/travel YouTube and his kids appear every now and again. Mostly on traveling vacation videos. Hes a bit bordering with how often they do show up but it's not enoigh to be red flag territory.

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    #45

    Having kids while you are actively doing hard d***s.

    Starshines_Blackhole Report

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    #46

    People who have family blogs.

    anon Report

    #47

    Not monitoring your kids screen time.

    anon Report

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The key is providing them alternatives so interesting and involving that the screen time will limit itself.

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    #48

    A child flinching.

    Flabbergastter Report

    FluffyDreg
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get the point but if theres a very loud sound kids who hsvent been abused will flinch because its an instinctive reflex.

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    #49

    When your kids jump in the air and click their heels when finding out you dead.

    DeviousWhippet Report

    Garth
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never speak bad about the dead only good.... they're dead... GOOD !

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    #50

    Be on first name basis with all the officers at the juvenile detention facility.

    theassassintherapist Report

    Shark queen 🦈🦈🦈
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait there is a case where this is okay. If they are either A a social worker or b an officer as well.

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