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Sometimes kids don’t even know how funny they are; at times they don’t realize how cruel they are, either. The fun part about it all is that, as a parent, you can never know which of their sides you get to deal with next; and they can reveal it at times when you expect it the least.

Take picking them up from school, for instance. You, as a mom or a dad, are there to bring your little one home, excited to see them, when they open the car door and express their great disappointment that it’s you and not the other parent here today. While that might not seem like much to others, it feels like a little—uncalled for, I might add—dagger to your heart.

This is just one of the many scenarios of what happens when it’s pick up hour. Today we have an entire list of them, as described by the parents themselves, so scroll down to find them and see for yourself what the often surprising reality of life with children looks like.

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Me
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had this for the first two years of kindergarten- when my husband picked them up it was "where is mama????" , when I was there "where is papa????"

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    ILoveMySon
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    8 months ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    It’s clear to any parent—or anyone who’s spent more than 20 minutes with a child, for that matter—that there’s never a dull moment with kids. That’s why the internet is brimming with heartwarming parenting stories, funny posts on X (formerly Twitter), and messages in family group chats, too, regarding the latest adventures of the littlest ones in the clan.

    And while the seemingly never-ending state of disarray typically entails the good, the bad, and the ugly, it’s a reality many parents wouldn’t change for anything.

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    justanotherweirdo
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate saying my name out loud. My name is unusual, and I don’t dislike my name, I just don’t like saying it out loud. Don’t ask me why, it’s one of those things that I’m uncomfortable with for absolutely no reason at all, lol 😂

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    Kylie
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm a night worker/day sleeper and I feel this when I pick up my grandson.

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    According to Pew Research Center, the absolute majority of parents find such a role to be rewarding. Though, moms and dads seem to view parenting differently in regards to how difficult it is, as 30% of the former say that it’s been a lot harder than they thought it would be vs. 20% of dads saying the same thing. Mothers seem to find it more tiring and stressful, too.

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    There can be many reasons for the differences between how moms and dads see their role as a parent, which is why it’s difficult to determine why women find it all more stressful than their male counterparts. 

    And while the reasons are unclear, the proof speaks for itself. Take the parent behind ‘On Adventure With Dad’, for instance: while his partner—the mother of their child—was worried about the little one, the dad was busy working with Photoshop, creating funny (maybe not at first sight) images of their baby (while making sure that the latter was safe and sound, of course).

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    His works grew into quite an impressive—and adorable—collection over time, as did his family, which now has two main stars featured in pictures regularly sent to their worrying mom.

    (Read more about the dad, Kenny Deuss from Antwerp, Belgium, here, here, or here.)

    It’s clear that dads always find a way to keep themselves and others entertained. So, unsurprisingly, dad jokes have imperceptibly become a thing. But as painful or cringe as their jokes sometimes are, being exposed to dad humor at an early age can arguably have a positive effect on a child.

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    Studies suggest that since dad jokes rarely fail to embarrass their offspring, they can actually work to the latter’s advantage, as they build up a strong immunity to judgment and embarrassment, which consequently makes the kids feel empowered to be themselves.

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    Headless Horseman
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    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I ended up 2 hours away from home on a train that day. Turns out it was the wrong train

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    Dominik
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    what is this pick up culture in the US about? too long to go by bike and by themselves? too scared of crimes when kids are on their own? infrastructure only allows by car? what else?

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    Sheila who?
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My favorite was almost getting clean away but just as they were getting out of the care,it was proportional to the busyness of my day the urgency of the next statement. " oh yeah, mom, I forgot, you need to come on in and talk to my teacher / principal/guidance person/ etc and no I have no clue about what. "

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    According to the aforementioned research, fathers seem to enjoy embarrassing their kids to some extent, which, in an unexpected way, makes it a win-win for both the child with a strong immunity to awkwardness and judgment and the dad who’s just made their own day a little bit more fun.

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    “Dad jokes are aimed at evoking embarrassment, but the children cringing at the joke are not its ultimate audience. The real audience of a dad joke is in fact the joke-teller, the dad, who suffers no cringe but rather delights in the embarrassment of his offspring,” the study read in part.

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    Panda Kicki
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds reasonable. However, I am confused why so many have to go to school for pickup. Here the kids either take school bus or school taxi depending on age and distance to school. Only time my kids dont get home in a (free) taxi is if they get sick and need a puck up early.

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    My O My
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How does the 5yo find the right car? I mean, no easier time for kidnapping

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    In one of his pieces, titled ‘A Dad Defends Dad Jokes’, an author and a critic at large for the Culture section of The Times, Jason Zinoman, suggested that the reason kids tend to roll their eyes at their fathers’ jokes—especially at an older age—is because dads get somewhat stuck in time. They find something that works when their offspring is little and more or less stick to it; and while it doesn't change much over time, their kids obviously do. “Like so many lazy comics, we parents pander. If jokes work, they stay in the set,” Zinoman wrote.

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    Idgafwyt AllDat'N'ABagOfChips
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm like this if I'm stuck in a line of traffic. For example, I live in a very popular tourist destination and there are only 2 bridges to get here. So in the summer, especially, traffic can be backed up for miles and you think that you're special or your time is more valuable, fùck you. I will gladly let you hit my car before you think you're going to cut in, I am not the one. Then they want to sit there and be mad at me, laying on the horn because how dare I not them get their way. It would be great if they built another bridge or a tunnel or something, that can only be accessed by locals, those that live here year round. Every year I look forward to but also dread the summer time.

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    Whether it’s dad jokes or kids creating comical situations themselves, it all boils down to the fact that life with children is indeed a seemingly never ending state of disarray; however, it’s definitely not all struggles and sleepless nights. If you need more proof, check out this list of some of the most hilarious things children have ever said or browse this one featuring little ones who don’t know how funny they are.

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    J. Grawn
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    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Geez, we walked with friends or rode bikes to school. Carried our books. No backpacks. There was no pick up line. Just teenagers who got their license driving to school and home with friends from the school parking lot. Other kids walked home.

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    Zobi123
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know these are meant to be funny, but (assuming all these stories are in the States), it really is sad how much time adults have to spend in cars just to get their kids to school. A symptom of our car-centric infrastructure.

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    #31

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    My O My
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Elementary School parking lot? That doesn't even exist here! Well, one for the teachers with 20ish spaces exists. 1graders are brought by foot for a few weeks and then go by themselves/with friends. Or, if they live farther then 2km from the school the school bus picks them up (to the bus stops they also go alone).

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    Tyranamar
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I only wear bras for an event where I actually have to hang out. Like a birthday party or basketball practice. And then only if I can't wear a baggy shirt. I hate bras.

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    General Anaesthesia
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    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup a record 24 times. The last time was the 1992 - 1993 season. (Ice hockey, for those unfamiliar).

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