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Let’s face it, parenting is one of the biggest challenges that we’ll ever have to face in our lives. It’s right up there alongside fighting off an alien invasion, surviving a zombie apocalypse, rocket science, and plugging in a USB cable on the first try. So it’s no wonder that most parents are less than perfect. In fact, it’s pretty much the norm.

However, they’re nowhere near the level that some of the parents featured on the ‘Parents Are Effing Dumb’ subreddit are. There, you’ll find some of the biggest fails that will make you gasp, shout “think of the children!”, and think about taking these people’s parenting license away. Remember to buckle up and upvote the pics that made your jaw drop as you scroll down the rollercoaster that is this descent into parenting weirdness.

When it comes to parenting, both extremes—absolute perfectionism/trying to be a ‘perfect’ parent and not trying hard enough—can be harmful to the family. And while it’s very clear what bad parenting is, perfectionism is more insidious and sneaky and can actually end up being just as harmful as actual neglect or ignorance, though in a very different way. We spoke about the pitfalls of this with an expert in the field of psychology.

#1

I'm Sorry, What??

I'm Sorry, What??

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    Nunya Bus
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow that just hit me hard. I still have that happen to me and I'm 43. And it absolutely crushes my soul. Just the other day I thought "wow, I seriously cannot do anything right."

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    Emma Morton, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, explained to Bored Panda the pitfalls of perfectionist thinking and how it spreads to many areas of a person’s life, contributing to poor mental health and even depression.

    Believing that you should (or even that you can) be a so-called ‘perfect’ parent is actually detrimental to your health. What’s more, the belief that you can control every single outcome can spread to other areas of your life, not just parenting.

    #5

    And I Know That From Home

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    If I could I would live under water
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love when teenagers actually start to think for themselves, and not just repeating what they parents think

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    “When we set excessive and inflexible high standards for ourselves and become self-critical about not meeting those, perfectionism can become a problem for our mental health and potentially contribute to depression or suicidal thoughts,” researcher Morton said.

    #7

    Actually What The F**k

    Actually What The F**k

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    Sam Kunz
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stop the planet, I want to get off. That's the worst thing I've ever read.

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    #8

    She Is Insane

    She Is Insane

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    achilles get down from there
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s just the same as smashing down a Lego set, or destroying paintings, or any other project. It’s destroying property! And hours and hours of care and passion.

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    #9

    Very Not Cool

    Very Not Cool

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    Eslamala
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Addiction is a disease, and it's NEVER compatible with kids in the house. Downvote all you want, but people with that kind of problems should never be the caretakers of kids. Ever.

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    “Perfectionism is a very insidious problem—even if someone achieves great success in their personal or professional life, negative thinking patterns lead them to be highly self-critical, focus on perceived mistakes, or mentally discount their achievements,” Morton detailed that a perfectionist mindset dims even the biggest victories when we tend to laser-in on the various real and imagined flaws.

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    #11

    Tweet Says It All

    Tweet Says It All

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    TmKhr
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's sad when people who really want children can't have them, and then horrible people like these have kids. Not fair.

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    The anxiety surrounding perfectionism is just as much about personal pride as it is about the desire to be respected and liked by others. “People who struggle with perfectionism may worry that they will be judged for their perceived failures, feel that they are inadequate for needing help, or assume they will be a burden on their family and friends,” she said, adding that this can make perfectionists especially vulnerable mentally and emotionally.

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    As such, it’s very important that parents who make mistakes with their kids don’t overcorrect and land in the ‘perfectionist’ zone. Similarly, any parents who realize that they’re being inflexible with their standards and are overly critical of their and their kids’ (real or perceived) faults need to learn to hold back and allow room for (at least some) failure. After all, learning to deal with failure and drawing wisdom from our mistakes is what being human is all about. One thing's for sure, though: nobody wants to be that parent who ends up on 'Parents Are Effing Dumb.'

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    #17

    Imagine... Uggh

    Imagine... Uggh

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    Little Wonder
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh god, there should be laws against this sort of "family youtube" thing. Using your kids for views and cash is revolting.

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    #18

    Parents Theory

    Parents Theory

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    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Those Japanese cartoons are too violent. Here, watch this documentary about the genocide in Vendée on the French-German channel."

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    #20

    Florida Teen Dies From Covid-19 After Mom Takes Her To Church “Covid Party”

    Florida Teen Dies From Covid-19 After Mom Takes Her To Church “Covid Party”

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    TmKhr
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's pretty much the same as if she killed her daughter on the spot. Send her to prison, now.

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    #21

    Atleast One Person In The Comments Had The Sense To Tell Her To Call A Doctor! This Is Too Much

    Atleast One Person In The Comments Had The Sense To Tell Her To Call A Doctor! This Is Too Much

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    #22

    Taking A Picture Instead Of Saving Your Child

    Taking A Picture Instead Of Saving Your Child

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    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can make other babies, but opportunities to feel like you are relevant on a social media are important.

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    #23

    Mum Is Angry At Her Child For Growing

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    #24

    Another Great Example Of Dumb Parents

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    #25

    Wtf

    Wtf

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    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Old people think they are gods, they always think they are always right about everything. Edit : not all of them, obviously, but it is more like a general tendency.

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    #26

    Big Brain Logic

    Big Brain Logic

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    Lauren Caswell
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can see the composite in my head now from all I've seen that I couldn't stop: "how many times must I tell you *name*?! We *smack* don't *smack* hit *smack* people *wrenches kid away by the arm*

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    #27

    Mint Drugs

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    Eslamala
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those people should be fined, and do community service by volunteering at hospitals.

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    #29

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    Donkey boi
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My MIL collects golli-dolls. I asked her mother (my wife's grandmother) about it a few years back. She told me that after the war, they were left with nothing, rationing was the only thing keeping them fed. She was out begging one day with her infant child (my MIL) and someone gave her a golli doll and she has kept it ever since. The doll, to my MIL, was the first and only gift she would receive as a child and holds huge sentimentality, if her house caught fire, she would try to save them, before her husband. She knows and understands why they are racist, but for her, they represent something else, kindness, charity, safety and childhood.

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    #31

    Woke Up And Saw My Door Removed By My Parents. I Asked Them "Why?" And They Replied With "Privacy Isn't Necessary"

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    Little Wonder
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My parents didn't take my door, but they had the same attitude to privacy. They still do.

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    #33

    Sorry If Repost

    Sorry If Repost

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    John Smith
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have good news for you. You can stop worrying about your son getting a girl pregnant.

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    #34

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    #40

    That Kid Is Like 1

    That Kid Is Like 1

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    Andrew Gibb
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cement burns and irritates skin- the kid needs to be washed off immediately. Whoever took the photo and/or stood watching this is a nunt

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    #41

    I Did It

    I Did It

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    Sasy
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Times were different. Usually the owner of store knew parents smoked etc.

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    #43

    7yo Gets Bullied At School For Sitting In A Car Seat, So Mom Waits Until He's Asleep, Takes A Photo Of Him, And Posts It On The Official Parents Magazine Instagram Page (855k Followers)

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    Ryan Deschanel
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this person is actually evil. Maybe she will learn her lesson when she is not invited to his wedding, never meets her grandchildren, and is cremated in the cheapest casket and thrown away in the nearest lake with just a small prayer and two flowers.

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    #44

    We’re In A Crowded Terminal And This Toddler Wouldn’t Stop Crying And Screaming, So Her Mom Gave Her A Whistle To Play With

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    TmKhr
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I bet the others enjoy it as much as she does *facepalm*

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    #45

    Yes, The Problem Is Definitely Not That You Gave A Phone To A 2 Year Old!

    Yes, The Problem Is Definitely Not That You Gave A Phone To A 2 Year Old!

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    Bumble
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You took away your 2 year old's IPhone? That is beyond cruel! How will he text his friends?

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    #46

    Ou Mama!

    Ou Mama!

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    Naima Ivansdóttir
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    omg i was about to comment "what do you know, maybe she's having a bbq with guests and she's in charge for the booze" THEN I SAW IT

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    #47

    Sad We Have To Create Something So We Don’t Forget Children

    Sad We Have To Create Something So We Don’t Forget Children

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    Katherine Boag
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you 'never understand' why people make mistakes, you're another reason why people think they could never make a mistake, don't use any kind of failsafe, make a mistake, and have dire consequences.

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    #48

    My Son Likes To Do Something He Likes And He Deserves It, But Doesn't Need It. What Should I Do?

    My Son Likes To Do Something He Likes And He Deserves It, But Doesn't Need It. What Should I Do?

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    Blakkur Sverrir
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    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You could teach him the valuable lesson that, no matter how hard he works and how good he follows rules, people with power (you in that case) will never let him see a reward for it, let alone have some time to relax and recharge. That will teach him a lot about life. Or push him to burnout/suicide and stuff.

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    #49

    Nice Name

    Nice Name

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    F. H.
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think I would be able to hold myself back and not call my child Cash if my last name was money. I would have to rely on my wife as the voice of reason.

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    #50

    This Mom Be Like "I Wonder Why My Kids Don't Confide In Me For Anything?"

    This Mom Be Like "I Wonder Why My Kids Don't Confide In Me For Anything?"

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    Note: this post originally had 95 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.