Credit: Ladbaby[/caption]
There's no denying that parenting is one of the most demanding jobs in the world. You might not get paid for popping out a few rugrats and then spending eighteen years raising and nurturing them to become decent, well-rounded members of society. But that doesn't make the work you put into taking care of them any less challenging!
That's why it's so important that we parents lend each other a helping hand every now and again. Whether it's by babysitting, or as is often the case, sharing hacks that have the potential to make our lives a lot easier!
[post_page_title]Handy Sleeping Hack[/post_page_title]
Get your baby to remain asleep even when you're not holding them with this handy hack - literally. After all, moms and dads need a little shut-eye too, and as much as we love our kids, we need energy for grownup duties too.
[caption id="attachment_135" align="alignnone" width="760"]
Credit: Reddit / @FreddyJackson69[/caption]
If you fill a glove with beans and lay it on your infant's chest or back, they will be tricked into believing they are still being held. This is the perfect way to keep them drifting off to sleep (if they haven't already) while you slip out of the room.
[post_page_title]Medicine Lollipop Hack[/post_page_title]
A full-proof method of getting your kids to take their medicine. Because, as much as you can try to reason with a toddler, and tell them that the thing which tastes icky will make them feel better, it doesn't always work.
[caption id="attachment_134" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @billygoatbabygear[/caption]
Kids may be reluctant to take any medicine, but they're rarely reluctant to accept a yummy, little lollypop. This is a great hack to make what would be a very stressful experience easier on both you and your little sickly monster.
[post_page_title]No Tears Shampoo Hack[/post_page_title]
Prevent shampoo from getting in your little one's eyes with this trusty hat. We've all been there - even as grownups. As much as you try your best, sometimes the innocuous act of washing your hair can leave you in a bit of a pickle!
[caption id="attachment_133" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Their delicate eyes will be stung no more. This is the perfect way to ensure that bathtime remains a pleasant experience - long before your kid becomes self-aware enough to realize that it's not socially acceptable to stink!
[post_page_title]Bathroom Door Hack[/post_page_title]
Use a rubber band to prevent your kids from getting locked in the bathroom - an occurrence which can be extremely traumatizing for both you and them. This is especially handy if they aren't tall to unlock the door themselves.
[caption id="attachment_132" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Source Unknown[/caption]
Some kids (well, not just kids) freak out when locked in confined spaces. Well, now there's simply no need. Who'd have thought the solution to such a potentially disastrous problem would be so simple? The more you know!
[post_page_title]Lost Items Hack[/post_page_title]
Need to find some lost items in the house? Just turn it into a game. Because we parents sometimes need a little help, and if nothing else our kids are competitive. We need to be smart enough to use this to our advantage at all times.
[caption id="attachment_131" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @ruby1508[/caption]
You'd be killing two birds with one stone (or perhaps multiple birds, depending on how many items they manage to find)! This is a great opportunity to get your kids to work for their pocket money and have fun at the same time.
[post_page_title]Growing Up T-Shirt Hack[/post_page_title]
Take a photo of your kid wearing an oversized t-shirt every year to document their growth till college. It's a unique keepsake that they're guaranteed to love too. After all, they'll have great before and after photos for the Gram!
[caption id="attachment_130" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Source Unknown[/caption]
Eventually, it should fit like a glove (or, well, a t-shirt). Plus, it'll be fun to explain to your little one when it's still big and baggy that one day, providing they eat their vegetables, they'll be big enough to fit in it properly.
[post_page_title]Tangled Barbie Hair Hack[/post_page_title]
Untangle Barbie's hair using nothing more than conditioner and washing up liquid. Your kid might be an aspiring hairdresser, but you don't want to have to replace their Barbies more than you need to as a result.
[caption id="attachment_129" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: makingitfeellikehome.blogspot.com[/caption]
It really works - Barbie's hair will be back to its glossy, flowing self in no time at all. Now, they can plait and style Barbie's hair till their heart's content - providing, of course, they don't do what my daughter did and chop it all off.
[post_page_title]No Mess Popsicle Hack[/post_page_title]
Prevent your kid's popsicle from making a mess by using a coffee cup lid. Kids might love popsicles on hot summer's days, but one thing they definitely don't like is having sticky hands afterward!
[caption id="attachment_128" align="aligncenter" width="434"]
Credit: Source Unknown[/caption]
That way, you won't have to spend what must feel like an age cleaning them up after they're done. Better still, reusing a coffee cup like this is a great way of saving the environment - it's that or invest in wet wipes if you're on the go.
[post_page_title]Simple Hammock Hack[/post_page_title]
Create a hammock for your child with a table and a bed sheet. Proof that you don't have to spend to win at parenting - and your kid will thank you for it down the line. Who knows? They might even fall asleep in the hammock.
[caption id="attachment_127" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: joyfulabode.com[/caption]
Looks temptingly relaxing. I could probably do with one of those... It's just a shame that kid-friendly hammocks aren't suitable for us grownups. If your kids are young enough, you could even do this as a sleepover treat.
[post_page_title]Household Chores Hack[/post_page_title]
Turn chores into a fun game. See? With enough knowledge, you don't have to deliberately lose items around the house to keep kids busy for free. Admittedly, they'll catch onto this one eventually, so make the most of it while you can.
[caption id="attachment_126" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Source Unknown[/caption]
It's easy - just ask Mary Poppins. "For every job that must be done," she said. "There is an element of fun. You find the fun and the job's a game." This hack is even more efficient if you get more than one kid involved - and include prizes!
[post_page_title]Left And Right Hack[/post_page_title]
Many kids have troubles with their "left and right". However, with a simple hack, they'll be impressing their classmates and teacher in no time. All you need to do is pop one of these brilliant stickers in their shoes...
[caption id="attachment_125" align="aligncenter" width="536"]
Credit: onecreativehousewife.com[/caption]
So help them out a little by putting stickers in as a signpost. This is a great way to teach your kid how to be more independent - and it means they'll be one of the first changed into their sportswear at gym class!
[post_page_title]Colour-Coded Clock Hack[/post_page_title]
Color-code the clock to give them a bit of routine. It'll encourage your little ones to hurry up with their homework so that they can get onto more fun activities like nomming on some delicious dinner and playing.
[caption id="attachment_124" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Source Unknown[/caption]
If you want a household that is run efficiently, then meticulous planning is your best bet. Plus, it means that if you forget to do one activity with your kid (like bath time - it happens), then they'll likely remind you if they're in a routine.
[post_page_title]Cardboard Drawing Box Hack[/post_page_title]
Allow your kids to use their creativity without taking it out on the walls. Perfect for parents of budding artists who've had to shell out on a painter after they went to town on the living room - or worse, the sofa!
[caption id="attachment_123" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: berrysweetbaby.blogspot.com[/caption]
Who knows, they could end up being the next Da Vinci one day? And who would they have to thank for that? You! Better still, once they've finished drawing in a box, you can recycle it once again at your local facility.
[post_page_title]Green Peas And Candy Hack[/post_page_title]
The best way to hide candy from your sneaky kids. After all, they're only just starting to get their grownup teeth, and the last thing you want is to see them suffer the pain of having to get a dreaded filling.
[caption id="attachment_122" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Source Unknown[/caption]
It's the last place they would check! Kids hate eating vegetables - especially green ones. So use this to your advantage and hide candy there - or, y'know, any other item that you'd rather stayed out of their tiny hands.
[post_page_title]Old Crib Hack[/post_page_title]
When you don't need your kid's old crib anymore, turn it into a cute, little desk. We do, after all, live in a world that's full of waste, and that's why it's so important that we recycle as much as possible to make a better future for our kids.
[caption id="attachment_121" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.lt[/caption]
Why bother throwing things away when you can use them for something else? Plus, in addition to the feel-good factor which comes from recycling an old crib, you'll also save yourself some cash to boot!
[post_page_title]Bedsheet Beach Hack[/post_page_title]
Use a bedsheet to stop your baby from getting covered in sand at the beach. It's the perfect way to let them enjoy the beach without putting them at risk of getting sand in unwanted places - and it's a simple clean-up operation.
[caption id="attachment_120" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: teamjohnson1.blogspot.com[/caption]
Because we all know how annoying it can be getting sand out of all your belongings, including your kids. The great thing about this hack is that, like so many others on this list, it's incredibly useful and won't cost you a dime.
[post_page_title]Fence "Painting" Hack[/post_page_title]
Is your toddler in need of entertainment? Get them to help out with the "painting". This is yet another hack that will cost you nothing and give you some much needed me time in that garden. Read the book that's been on your shelf for a year!
[caption id="attachment_119" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @macshona[/caption]
They'll have a fun activity to occupy themselves with and feel a sense of accomplishment to boot! Just hope that they aren't old enough to cotton onto the fact that their painting only lasts so long in the sun...
[post_page_title]Shoulder Ride Hack[/post_page_title]
If you're a parent with dreadlocks, then this one's for you because chances are, you're going to want your little one to learn all about the rock and roll lifestyle ASAP - while being responsible about it.
[caption id="attachment_118" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / @Decestor[/caption]
While they're on your shoulders, secure them with your dreadlocks so they can see better at a concert. Not only will you have the piece of mind that your kid is securely fastened in place, but you'll also look like the most badass parent there.
[post_page_title]Soda Medicine Hack[/post_page_title]
Yet another way to trick your kid into taking their medicine. Because if there's one thing which kids love just as much as candy, it's sweet soft drinks - drinks that you repeatedly tell them will rot their teeth.
[caption id="attachment_117" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / @bsurfn2day[/caption]
So simply tell them that they're tucking into a tasty can of soda and not taking their medicine. However, you'll need to be quick for this hack to work as they'll soon taste the difference. Anyway, it's not lying if it's for their own good...
[post_page_title]Car Seat Hack[/post_page_title]
If your kids won't stop messing around with each other at the back of the car, separate them with cardboard. This is great for parents who know that they're going to need all their attention for their road and not their kids!
[caption id="attachment_116" align="aligncenter" width="635"]
Credit: Facebook / Jake White[/caption]
And henceforth enjoy a relaxing, tranquil car journey. Now, you can relax without two grownups in the car, content in the knowledge that your kids can only cause a limited amount of trouble from the backseat.
[post_page_title]Color-Coded Clothes Hack[/post_page_title]
Dress your kids in exactly the same color so you won't lose them. This is great if you have a few little ones to look after and know that you're going to take them to a busy place like a zoo or a theme park.
[caption id="attachment_115" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @brandi.marie.e[/caption]
It'd be like them having their own uniform - kind of like the Von Trapp children. Then, should the worst happen, you can quickly scan the crowds, and providing they've stuck together, quickly spot your pack.
[post_page_title]Headphone Hack[/post_page_title]
You can anticipate all their little schemes, tricks, and pranks. Now, if you're kids are a little older, you'll know why they really need to borrow $10 for that last minute school trip - or, as is likely the case, to visit the arcade with their friends.
[caption id="attachment_114" align="alignnone" width="714"]
Credit: Twitter / @RHairing[/caption]
They won't see what's coming! The only downside to this is that after getting caught out a few times, they will likely cotton on to what you're doing - so use it sparingly for parenting busts you know you have to make.
[post_page_title]Sorting Game Hack[/post_page_title]
A sorting game to keep the little ones occupied. Even if you're not in possession of multicolored pom poms and a baking tray, both can be easily purchased from a dollar store - or better still, a thrift store!
[caption id="attachment_113" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @texaflora[/caption]
Kids really are easily entertained, aren't they? As ever, it's a game that you can make more exciting for your little one, perhaps by offering them a reward - whether it's a bar of chocolate or half an hour of TV time.
[post_page_title]Healthy Fries Hack[/post_page_title]
By now, we've established that kids love sweets and soda, and do you know what they love accompanying them with? Fast food. Lots of fast food. But if they're young enough, you can trick them into thinking they're eating fries...
[caption id="attachment_112" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @eastcoastveganvibes[/caption]
... when really it's just an apple slice into thin pieces. But given that it's still shaped like fries chances are that your kid is likely to fall for it and not question the difference. You can even use mashed up strawberries as ketchup!
[post_page_title]Blue Tape Hack[/post_page_title]
Toy shops are expensive. Every parent knows it. Most of the time, the stuff they are selling, you can easily make yourself at home. So why not create a race track for your kid's toy cars with nothing more than blue tape and your imagination?
[caption id="attachment_111" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @tmccrum_mua[/caption]
They'll be glued to the floor for hours. Plus, unlike when you buy a race track from a store, you can create a new one each time - making it a continually engaging activity. Genius! You don't need to spend a fortune to entertain your kids!
[post_page_title]Medicine Dose Hack[/post_page_title]
Note down your dosages on your medicine to ensure you're taking the correct amount. This is great for kids and grownups and will give you peace of mind, ensuring that you never again panic about doses after administering them.
[caption id="attachment_110" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @alanacvalentine[/caption]
When you have your kids to tend to, mistakes are easy to make. Worse still, because of all of the pressure that exists around the nonexistent ideal of the "perfect parent", you can be left feeling terrible when they do.
[post_page_title]Washing Machine Hack[/post_page_title]
If you've got chores to be getting on with then, just entertain your baby with the washing machine. You don't need to monitor the content like you do with TV, and if you're lucky, they'll fall asleep while watching.
[caption id="attachment_109" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @smartytots[/caption]
Like I said, babies are very easily entertained. Pro tip: make this hack even better by making sure that there are lots of differently colored clothes in the wash. Your baby will love watching them swirl into one.
[post_page_title]Vest Chair Hack[/post_page_title]
When you haven't got the right tools, you have to be practical. In the absence of a high chair, you can get on with your grownup duties by securing your baby safely in place with a vest. Parenting genius level: maxed out.
[caption id="attachment_108" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / @malleeman[/caption]
This dad didn't have a highchair for his baby so he improvised. The only thing we'd like to add is that this is a hack which should be used with caution. If your baby is on the wriggly side, they could easily escape the vest.
[post_page_title]Potty Training Hack[/post_page_title]
When you've spent your whole life in diapers, it can be difficult to get used to the potty life. But with this simple hack, the transition will be as smooth as possible - ensuring that "accidents" are a thing of the past.
[caption id="attachment_107" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: ahavenofchaos.com[/caption]
Kids can't easily control their bladders like adults can so your best bet is to take a potty and diapers with you everywhere. That way, any accidents that they might have won't put them off trying to use the potty in the future.
[post_page_title]Pushchair WheelHack[/post_page_title]
Every parent knows just how dirty pushchairs can get. One minute, they are new and pristine, the next, they look like they've been dragged through a music festival. But you can keep your floors clean afterward with this simple hack.
[caption id="attachment_106" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: YouTube[/caption]
Place shower caps on the wheels of your stroller to keep them as clean as possible. I mean, you're going to be schlepping that thing around for a while, so you may as well cherish it - and your interior furnishings to boot!
[post_page_title]Plane Boredom Hack[/post_page_title]
Anyone who has ever traveled on a plane with kids knows how challenging it can be. You have an assigned seat, and you don't want your little one acting up and annoying all of the strangers around me. But as ever, there's a solution...
[caption id="attachment_105" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @teachermama1138[/caption]
Flights can be tedious for little kids, so a few little stickers can go a long way. "My toddler was busy for over 30 minutes playing with these window stickers on the plane. Easy to pack, fun for them, and cheap!" wrote one mom.
[post_page_title]Parking Lot Hack[/post_page_title]
There are certain times when we parents need our kids to be quiet and stay in the one place - like when we're loading groceries into our cars. That's why this handy "hand" sticker was invented - to do that very thing.
[caption id="attachment_104" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Instagram / @raleighmomscare[/caption]
"Although we tell our daughter to not run into parking lots, it doesn't mean she is going to listen. I bought this car magnet and it has been a miracle worker," wrote one mom. "She loves keeping her hand on the bright colors while waiting for mom and will try so hard to match her fingers to the magnets."
[post_page_title]DIY Igloo Hack[/post_page_title]
Kids love playing in the snow, but there's only so much that they can make with their bare hands - and an igloo isn't in this category. However, with this mom's ingenious hack, they can be regular little Eskimos in no time.
Credit: Instagram / @michelle_ssb1[/caption]
If the weather's freezing out, you might as well have fun with it. "I took a rectangle-shaped Tupperware and we made 'snow blocks' for an 'igloo'. My boys absolutely loved it," explained one creative mom.
[post_page_title]Car Seat Safety Hack[/post_page_title]
This one's not so much useful as it is a potential lifesaver. If your child is unlucky enough to be in a car accident, their age and other important details could be life-saving. That's why this hack really is a must know.
Credit: Instagram / @mommyhacksofficial[/caption]
Sometimes being overprotective really does pay. Simply write down all important information about your kid on a piece of paper and attach it to their car seat, then, should the worst happen, they'll have the best possible chance.
[post_page_title]Sandpit Hack[/post_page_title]
Any parent of a kid who's owned a sandpit will know just how easily it gets dirty. No matter how careful you are, bad weather can easily destroy a sandpit for good. But with this simple hack, it'll never happen again.
[caption id="attachment_101" align="aligncenter" width="760"]
Credit: YouTube / The Goonberry Tales[/caption]
It's like their own little den. Turn your tent into a sandpit to protect it from bad weather. Plus, it means your kid can enjoy their own little private beach all year round. What's not to love?!
A nurse has shared a useful parenting hack to help soothe babies and put them to sleep in mere moments.
According to The Daily Mirror, the special soothing technique was shared on TikTok this week by a nanny and mom-of-three named Danielle Manton-Kelly.
Manton-Kelly had recently met with an osteopath, named Lucy, who had shown her the best and most comfortable way to hold her youngest son William to help him relax.
As you can see in the video above, this method involves Lucy standing with the baby in her arms and gently moving his littles legs around to aid his digestion.
In the video, Lucy stated:
"What you see an awful lot of is people polishing their babies' tummy, but that does absolutely nothing.
"If the tummy doesn't have movement, then the milk gets a chance to sit and move too slowly through there, and then it can ferment and produce wind in their tummy and that then is painful.
"By just lifting up here and doing a figure of eight you're stretching that side and you're stretching that side."
The free advice was clearly greatly appreciated by other TikTok users and has wracked up more than 1.8 million views, 159,000 likes, and a further 1,050 comments as of the time of writing.
A number of other parents have since shared their appreciation for the post.
Credit: TikTok
One person wrote: "Yes spot on!! My boys loved this too and it really does help tremendously. They used to fall asleep like this."
Credit: TikTok
A second wrote: "Am I too old for someone to do this to me? I've not been relaxed in years."
Credit: TikTok
While another added: "Omg I've done this naturally with all of my six I just thought I was being clever multitasking now I know it has benefits too."
Credit: TikTok
Another social media user chimed in, writing: "My niece would not stay quiet unless I held her like this, she absolutely loves it."
Credit: TikTok
Finally, this commenter wrote: "I always carried my daughter like this. She was a long baby and loved it x. [sic]"
Dads. What a phenomenon they are. In a matter of years, dads have gone from the most annoying member of your family, to a social media icon. A few years ago, the jokes/stories/advice that dads gave out, served simply to wind you up. Now, they are bits of gold that quickly become viral on social media. Whether it's fathers trying to work out a new bit of technology, or simply just telling crap jokes: "Your mother told me to stop singing Wonderwall. I said maybeeeee", dads are now internet heros.
So, in celebration of our fathers, we've compiled a list of dads who are absolutely smashing this parenting thing. Take a look at these 14 dads who are doing parenting right (or wrong, I cant tell).
1. That's one way to stop your kid from running away
2. Peek-a-boo!
3. Here, let me get that for you
4. Yep, looks safe
5. Quick, there's a quarter in there!
6. Start them early
7. THIS. IS. SPARTAAAAAA!
8. Go on, hit it as hard as you can
9. The most nutritional baby food
10. Never skip leg day
11. That's one way to pick them up
12. Cutest n00b ever?
13. Nice view
14. Like father like son
There we have it, 14 dads who know exactly how to be a parent. Some of these are absolutely incredible. No doubt these guys will be getting in trouble with the mothers once they see these, but hey, what's parenting about if you can't have a little fun along the way?
Having only two mindsets; feverish obsession or blithe abandon, I worry about my ability to successfully raise a child.
One the one hand, I will guard a particularly aesthetically pleasing piece of fruit with my life, petrified at the thought that someone other than myself might try to eat it. Conversely, I have been known to flood a bathroom - twice - because I had started to run a bath, got distracted, and come back 45 minutes later to a scene that made Pirates of the Caribbean seem laughably tame in comparison.
This heady mix of passionate fixation and apathetic absent mindedness, one feels certain, does not lend itself particularly well to the solemn task of parenting. Perhaps my partner would be successful in balancing out my yo-yoing tendencies, and, after seeing these dads who definitely shouldn't be trusted to look after their babies on their own, you'll be hoping that they have a similarly watchful spouse.
1. Gave up on the swaddling halfway through
2. Less "french plaits", more "boulangerie"
3. I'm not sure who is looking after who here
4. Always good to keep organised
5. Taking multitasking to new heights
6. Best helmet ever
7. When you put the kids to bed, and the floor looks super comfy
8. When your kid wants a swing, you find a way
9. You can't say this dad isn't perceptive. Kiwi = tiny head
10. Dad couldn't find the hair bobbles. So he gave me this.
11. This is utterly terrifying
12. That's going to be a super-strong kid one day
13. Superbowl party prep
Parenting is far from an easy gig, but these dads seem to be making it work for them the only way they know how. Good luck to them.
Parenting is no easy ride. Though I have no children of my own, it's an endeavor that clearly takes a certain caliber of person. As a result, some are better suited to what it is that they are doing more so than others. Much, much better suited. Doubtless, we may have been on the end of our own parents' misguided power trips, or simply witnessed them via others, but what you're about to scroll through sheds light on some of the worst that contemporary parenting has to offer.
[post_page_title]#1 'It’s Time To D D D D D D D D Duel'[/post_page_title]
Being "down with the kids" is something many parents, as subject to varying levels of contemporary understanding of youth culture, may or may not be particularly adept at when it comes to identifying what their kids are up to...
[caption id="attachment_2489" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / DrSixSixSixReport[/caption]
[post_page_title]#2 'Nothing Good Will Happen To Me Bcz I Told My Mom I Could No Longer Help Her After Moving On My Own At 19 Because She Got Evicted Twice In The Span Of 4 Months And Put A Power Bill In My Name Without Me Knowing Which I Now Owe 700 To The Power Company'[/post_page_title]
Now, this one is certainly a mouthful and considering we are so early in this compilation of parental mishaps, speaks completely and shockingly for itself.
[caption id="attachment_2491" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / sheiiri[/caption]
[post_page_title]#3 'Sometimes Insane Is Just A Birth Defect!'[/post_page_title]
"Don't Do Drugs Kids!" a popular slogan often given to children of school age across this vast spinning sphere of stupid. It's a true statement, but in truth, it usually pertains to narcotics or medication with a specific purpose to someone's needs that are abused. Or does it go further...
[caption id="attachment_2621" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit/ hooman26[/caption]
[post_page_title]#4 'Mom Of The Year Over Here...'[/post_page_title]
Again, I have no children of my own but even to me, supporting the growth and success of your child is seemingly paramount. Right?
[caption id="attachment_2622" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / omgcee[/caption]
[post_page_title]#5 'My Mom Is Putting Up Cameras In My Room Now'[/post_page_title]
Most of us at some time or another will have labeled our parental units as "controlling". Getting up to all-sorts as a child is part of our development and a great deal of the time, our parents very much aren't too "down" with what we get up to. This was the case here, but clearly this parent very much was "down" with one thing - Motion capture technology! 1984, here we come!
[caption id="attachment_2624" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / cenny420[/caption]
[post_page_title]#6 'Ah Sweet Unconditional Love'[/post_page_title]
Is parenting a tough job? Yes. By job do I mean it within the parameters of the English language? Yes. Is it actually a job you complete and then move on apathetically? No. Well, I didn't initially think so... Is the job almost done, eh? The end in sight? The child of this equation probably can't wait to get rid of this line manager.
[caption id="attachment_2625" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / KeGenek[/caption]
[post_page_title]#7 'My Father Tracking Me While I’m On A Date'[/post_page_title]
Once again we fund ourselves in the grip of the post-Orwellian world that was only supposed to be a story. We've all heard of parental concern of their offspring's dating-habits and that's fair enough but, given the aforementioned few words above, it's all the worse now!
[caption id="attachment_2627" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / TheCityKitten[/caption]
[post_page_title]#8 'Mom Makes Son Show Her All Of His Social Media Accounts'[/post_page_title]
Suspicion of your kids? Is it warranted? At least sometimes it may well be, but in an age where social media is lord of all the most people under a certain age are immersed in it, the suspicions of those a little older in the family unit have only heightened. I have to say, I am all on the side of the Zetanoid here, privacy should be respected.
[caption id="attachment_2628" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / Zetanoid[/caption]
[post_page_title]#9 'I Don't Even Know What To Say'[/post_page_title]
You know what isn't the least amount cool? Controlling parents, but you knew that already didn't you? Feast your eyes below on one of the worst on this list...
[caption id="attachment_2629" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / ATSosebee[/caption]
[post_page_title]#10 'Shooting A Schools Computer Because Your Daughter Is Talking To Boys...'[/post_page_title]
Now, I did laugh at this one, until I realized that shooty-bang-boom-sticks can also be used for far worse things... I'm surprised the poor Mac managed to hold it together as well as it has and still hinged too! Unlike the shooter of the situation.
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Credit: Reddit / rosiesummer17[/caption]
[post_page_title]#11 'Mom Just Asked Me For 600$ When I Work A Minimum Wage Job Then Tells Me To Stop Spending?'[/post_page_title]
Parents asking for upkeep money or a "rent" of sorts when you begin the arduous task of earning your own money isn't that uncommon. Not at all in fact but within the theme of this list, I give you its premise and then a side order of... ... utter hypocrisy and pathetic power moves.
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Credit: Reddit / CHIEFXx[/caption]
[post_page_title]#12 'What The Hell?'[/post_page_title]
You may not see this one for a few seconds, so you may wish to adjust your ocular sensors for a sharper image. We're back in shame carriage of the parental train of "what the f-" that is this list. This parent needs a serious reprimand. That, and I'm fairly sure, shaving someone's head in any way that is unwanted is a human rights abuse.
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Credit: Reddit / x_vier[/caption]
[post_page_title]#13 'I Hate It When Doctors Act Like They Have A Medical Degree'[/post_page_title]
Now then, think back, back to a time where you knew you were right and yet you heard the words, "We are your parents and we know best" or "I am your mother, I know what is best for you" blah blah power move blah blah. Yeah? Recalled it all and shivered uncomfortably at the memory? Good. Well, not good but you know what I mean.
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Credit: Reddit / JadedAyr[/caption]
[post_page_title]#14 'My Parents Force Me To Update Everything I Do To Them And Verbally Abuse Me If I Don't. They Wonder Where The Depression Came From'[/post_page_title]
We have another sensitive one here where technology abuse is again at its invasive finest. I heart aches for this child I have to say. This parental unit has utterly lost sight of how to treat their child. Horrid.
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Credit: Reddit / SnaDeUnicorn[/caption]
[post_page_title]#15 'She's Old Enough To Get Married But Not Old Enough To Be Trusted Around Another Man's Penis In This House'[/post_page_title]
Ah, here we are, back to the cover photo that may well have drawn you here. Well, half of it. Half being the proportion of someone that may well remain after a close-proximity shotgun blast. Now I've heard of shotgun-weddings but shotgun-sleep arrangements designed to keep people FROM forming a union is something else entirely.
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Credit: Reddit / loki2002[/caption]
[post_page_title]#16 'My Mother, After She Kicked Me Out When She Found Letters My Girlfriend Wrote For Me (We're Both Girls)'[/post_page_title]
On today's episode of 'parental power moves and general abhorrent behavior towards those you are supposed to nurture and teach' *deep breath*, we have this something both horrible but also very amusing but for a little typo. And yes, I am going to speak to the production team about shortening the name. Homophobic? Check. Rude? Hell yeah! Unsupportive? Absolutely.
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Credit: Reddit / phisea[/caption]
[post_page_title]#17 'The Children Deserved Better Than Her Anyways'[/post_page_title]
Are you ready to be completely devoid of the ability to formulate and articulate a cohesive sentence? Yeah, you sure? Same.
[caption id="attachment_2637" align="aligncenter" width="760"]
Credit: Reddit / Ghetz[/caption]
[post_page_title]#18 'Saw This On Twitter'[/post_page_title]
"Saw This On Twitter" - I love the title of this one. The internet in all its wonderous uses never ceases to provide the most unexpected and dumfounding-dumfoundery (sic) imaginable. This one admittedly is a little subjective to context, but it's bad enough.
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Credit: Reddit / aesthetic_pansexual[/caption]
[post_page_title]#19 'Already Dislikes Her Baby Before It’s Born...'[/post_page_title]
Have you ever heard, read, seem, witnessed behavior that would maybe suggest that some people really don't have the mindset to have kids. Have you then seen examples of irrational belief or rather an obsessional subscription to something that should be taken under advisement? No, well consider this your crash course.
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Credit: Reddit / MisunderstoodToast[/caption]
[post_page_title]#20 'Poor Poor Kid'[/post_page_title]
There is so much wrong with this example of bad parenting that I am speechless. PaReNtS KnOw BeSt. What. Poor, POOR kid indeed.
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Credit: Reddit / Stan_Lee_is_dead[/caption]
[post_page_title]#21 'My Financé's Son Used Some Of My Daughter's Nail Polish And He Posted It To Twitter'[/post_page_title]
This falls under grand-parenting, but it has its place in this list all the same. Living in the now, young people are able to explore far more of who they are outside of societal norms and their archaic grip. There are, but not in this case, apparently.
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Credit: Reddit / samatha1995[/caption]
[post_page_title]#22 'My Mom Tried Calling Me Multiple Times In Less Than A One Minute And Then Threatened To Not Help Me Fix My AC. (What’s Even Funnier Is That They Live With Me So They Wouldn’t Have Ac Either)'[/post_page_title]
Now, usually, when you're young and living in your parents' abode, you'd assume that they would take care of the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the house and at the very least, know a little more about the four walls. Now, I can understand why Ally-2016 might be asked to help out but in this instance, it could have waited, until he had emptied his food-bin anyway.
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Credit: Reddit / Ally-2016[/caption]
[post_page_title]#23 'All Because I Wouldn't Pay Rent In Advance Because She Spent Her Pay On Endone Like She Asks For Every Week Because Of Drugs'[/post_page_title]
Once again, we are back, again, unsurprisingly for another parentally themed episode of "What?!" Next time I do one of these lists, I'm just going to film myself reacting as I go. Believe some of my facial expressions and audible reactions are something else entirely. What an 'effing terrible parent!
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Credit: Reddit / azzabug[/caption]
[post_page_title]#24 'My Mum Is Abusing Our Brand New Security System'[/post_page_title]
Security systems I can understand, that is if they are in the interest of PROTECTING, EXTERNAL and INVASIVE threats. Dishes are the modern house conundrum, easily so. However, what this silly parent is actually achieving here is a 'no-tech' day that will actually include the very security system being abused in the abusive behavior towards this child. Brilliant.
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Credit: Reddit / heartrate_[/caption]
[post_page_title]#25 'Mother Impersonated Me To Bofa To Remove $1500 From My Account Of My Awarded Scholarship Money As Punishment For Her Ex-Husband Not Paying For Her Vacation'[/post_page_title]
Stealing money from the wallets, purses and whatever your parents store money is a common one for kids. It's something that needs to be nipped in the bud for sure, but apparently not in everyone. It clearly never was in this parent. Don't steal from those who depend on you and blame your poor life choices on them.
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Credit: Reddit / SulfaPowder[/caption]
[post_page_title]#26 'My Dad Is Sending Me To Boot Camp This Month Because I Didn't Get My Hair Cut The Way He Wanted But He Didn't Tell He How He Wanted It. I Was Sobbing In The Back Off My Work When He Sent Me These Messages'[/post_page_title]
We're back on power-moves for number twenty-six on this list of "What?!" "Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind" is the lesson we and Tohken_Lordy can take from this. Father dad-man, in this case, might have a few issues of his own that boot camp may sort.
[caption id="attachment_2647" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / Tohken_Lordy[/caption]
[post_page_title]#27 'One Of Many Times My Narcissistic Mother When She Took Her Frustrations Out On Me'[/post_page_title]
Narcissism is the manifestation of deep-rooted insecurity about one's self repurposed into arrogance, something this mother is more than adept at. In the end, it must be quite refreshing to know that in this family overly-manipulated is the moral and behavioral paragon and bench-mark opposed to this skid-mark of a mother.
[caption id="attachment_2648" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
Credit: Reddit / Overly-Manipulated[/caption]
[post_page_title]#28 'So I Forgot To Do One Thing While I Was Rushed To Get Out The Door, They Are Apparently Charging Me Money? Also, the Second Charge Is Literally Made Up. So She’s Piling On Debt Charges For Things I’m Not Doing Now, And If I Don’t Pay Her I’m Screwed. Feels Like 1700’s British Debt'[/post_page_title]
Here we have an example of how not to teach your children responsibilities and consequences. That, and another example of how insular lives become so boring that needless displays of microcosmic power become the only way to feel any level of importance.
[caption id="attachment_2650" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Credit: Reddit / Deltron6billion[/caption]
[post_page_title]#29 'That Guy That Had His Parents Put Up Cameras? Heres Mine. There Are More'[/post_page_title]
Solidarity on display here where one example of big mother and father rather than big brother have exercised their power in more than one bastion of privacy! The other half the cover-photo is here and also an example of both the above and that of someone clearly a novice at this spying game. Come on now.
[caption id="attachment_2651" align="aligncenter" width="760"]
Credit: Reddit / judgymcjudgypants[/caption]
[post_page_title]#30 'She's A Good Mom She Just Has Her Moments'[/post_page_title]
Although is list is in no particular order, this last example is by the unambiguous far the best to close on. The severity of the situation aside, Our_Uniform_is_Panic clearly saw the funny side of this poorly-timed socialite-Mother and her all-important need to discuss neighborhood occurrences mid-drive to the EMERGENCY ROOM.
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Being a parent is pretty much like holding down the hardest job in the world. It's a position for which there is almost no practical training, no days off, and - the worst part - no pay! And yet, millions of people around the world knuckle down and get the work done every single day; sometimes without a single word of thanks.
Of course, some moms and dads have a handle on the ol' parenting gig in a way that many others never achieve. Maybe it comes from years of experience, or perhaps there are just some simple hacks out there that the rest of us have yet to discover. Either way, there's a lot we could learn from them.
Here are just 8 examples of savvy parents who managed to do their jobs in the best way possible...
1. Turning "boring" food into works of art
Your kid might not want to eat a fruit salad, but I bet they'll tuck into a grizzly monster or a smiley face. Little ones also love it when they get to eat food from their favorite TV show, so anything that resembles something from a fictional realm is sure to get a better reception than boring old broccoli.
2. Making a game out of chores
When I was a kid, the words, "I bet you can't tidy your room in under five minutes..." would have me running upstairs quicker than you could say, "well, that was easy". Having a prize to work towards is also excellent motivation - even if it's just five more minutes of story time before bed.
3. Transforming boring routines into exciting games
As adults, we know that routines such as taking a shower and washing our hands on the reg are a necessary part of life. However, kids aren't always as keen to get on board. Thankfully, there are some ways to encourage them to get with the program. Take Playbrush, for example, which allows kids to play interactive games while keeping their gnashers nice and clean:
Not ones to stand still, Playbrushare also launching a new product that will be available this Fall - the Playbrush Smart Sonic. Equipped with new brushing control features that include a pressure sensor and brushing speed sensor, your kids will be safe from brushing too hard and too fast on their gums. Oh yeah, and if you pre-order your Playbrush Smart Sonic now, you could be in with a chance of winning a family trip to Disneyland Paris!
4. Not being afraid of mess
One of the best things about childhood is having the freedom to basically do whatever you want (within reason, of course). You've got no responsibilities, no worries, and no reason not to enjoy yourself. So, come on, parents, let your kid play in the mud or help paint the house every now and then.
5. Joining in with games
Did your little one build a blanket fort? You'd better go check it out. Are they playing an imaginary game? Time to get your best pirate impression going. What about dress-up time? Well, if you don't have a superhero cape at the ready, it looks like you'll need to use a bedsheet...
6. Not being a total helicopter parent
We get it: wanting to be there for your kid 24/7 is a completely natural desire, but sometimes it's good to let them have a little space to themselves sometimes. Plus, while they're off playing with friends or enjoying a video game, you can have a quick tea break before they inevitably come back and demand your attention.
7. Encouraging healthy sibling relationships
Having one child is hard work enough - but having more than one can seem impossible at times. And, of course, all siblings will feel a little bit of rivalry sometimes, but the best way to deal with it is to avoid comparing them to one another and show them the value in helping each other out.
8. Being a student as well as a teacher
When children are really small, most of a parent's job consists of showing them how the world works. As they get older, though, kids will naturally take an interest in certain topics, and they'll want to share what they've learned with the people they care about. Yes, you might have heard everything they've had to say about dinosaurs or Transformers or kittens already - but they'll appreciate you listening again!
Even with all these tips, having the job of a parent is still immensely difficult. However, considering that it's a position moms and dads will hold down for 18 years at the very least, it's worth taking all the help you can get!