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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.

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I'm Sorry, What??

I'm Sorry, What??

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#2

He’s Not Wrong

He’s Not Wrong

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#3

My Family Does This To Me All The Time, And Each Time I Tell Them It Discourages Me But They Still Do It

My Family Does This To Me All The Time, And Each Time I Tell Them It Discourages Me But They Still Do It

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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.

#4

How Could She Not Know How Antlers Work?

How Could She Not Know How Antlers Work?

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And I Know That From Home

And I Know That From Home

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#6

Me Getting My Vaccinations After My Mother Refused For Me To Have Them

Me Getting My Vaccinations After My Mother Refused For Me To Have Them

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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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#8

She Is Insane

She Is Insane

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#9

Very Not Cool

Very Not Cool

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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.

#10

Oh Dear Mom

Oh Dear Mom

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#11

Tweet Says It All

Tweet Says It All

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#12

What If The Neighbors Had Dogs

What If The Neighbors Had Dogs

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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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Please Show Support To The Op On His Post Since His Parents Surely Won't

Please Show Support To The Op On His Post Since His Parents Surely Won't

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Can’t Imagine What That Kid Has To Deal With

Can’t Imagine What That Kid Has To Deal With

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Wow Just Wow

Wow Just Wow

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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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Drip Or Drown

Drip Or Drown

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Imagine... Uggh

Imagine... Uggh

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Parents Theory

Parents Theory

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Bad Parenting

Bad Parenting

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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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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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#23

Mum Is Angry At Her Child For Growing

Mum Is Angry At Her Child For Growing

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#24

Another Great Example Of Dumb Parents

Another Great Example Of Dumb Parents

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Wtf

Wtf

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Big Brain Logic

Big Brain Logic

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Mint Drugs

Mint Drugs

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Family Had Symptoms Of Covid But Sent Child To School Regardless

Family Had Symptoms Of Covid But Sent Child To School Regardless

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My Parents Think This Is A Cute Decoration

My Parents Think This Is A Cute Decoration

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Found This On Facebook

Found This On Facebook

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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"

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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#32

Tell Me Why

Tell Me Why

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Sorry If Repost

Sorry If Repost

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#34

Let Me Just Punish My Kid For Being Depressed Instead Of Trying To Deal With It

Let Me Just Punish My Kid For Being Depressed Instead Of Trying To Deal With It

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#35

It's A Repost

It's A Repost

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#36

Everyone Is Fine Today And No Bad Habits Were Formed

Everyone Is Fine Today And No Bad Habits Were Formed

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#37

Well, He Tried

Well, He Tried

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#38

My Dad Needs To Stay Off The Internet

My Dad Needs To Stay Off The Internet

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#39

We Know Everything About You

We Know Everything About You

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#40

That Kid Is Like 1

That Kid Is Like 1

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I Did It

I Did It

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#42

Modern Names From Modern Parents... Parent Stupidity

Modern Names From Modern Parents... Parent Stupidity

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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)

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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#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

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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#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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#46

Ou Mama!

Ou Mama!

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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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#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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#49

Nice Name

Nice Name

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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.