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If we were to look at numbers alone, it would be clear that James Breakwell is one of the most popular family content creators on the internet. With over a million followers on Twitter alone, his stuff reaches people from all over the world. But as impressive as it is, the size of his fan army isn't the reason why we at Bored Panda adore him so much. It's Breakwell's actual material that sets him apart, which is unlike the recycled pseudo-inspirational clickbait you so often see on parenting blogs. Take his tweets for example. Sharing snippets from the conversations he has with his daughters, James paints a funny and sincere picture of his household, and you don't need to have kids to enjoy them. His humor is universal.

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We managed to get in touch with James and he was kind enough to tell us more about his family.

"I would describe my parenting style as one of loving neglect," the dad explained to Bored Panda.

"I’m the opposite of a helicopter parent. I’m more of an observe-from-a-safe-distance parent. That way, my kids develop a sense of independence and learn from their mistakes, all while I’m outside the blast zone."

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Breakwell thinks it may have been his own folks who shaped him as a father.

"My own parents were very laid back. They never pressured me in any way, yet I excelled at many things. I also failed—hard—at an exhaustive list of activities," he said.

"My mom and dad gave me the freedom to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do. That’s a large part of the reason I’m a comedy writer today. So basically they ruined my life."

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Jody Whitmarsh
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I only know how long ago the 90s were because all my kids were born then. Then I cry to myself when I realize my oldest is 30 now

GayBoi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm literally 13 and it hurts a little when somebody says the 00's were a long time ago- Like I didn't even fully experience 00's, I was only in it for 2 years and I couldn't even walk for most of it, but it still hurts a bit 😅

Kelsey Rivera
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm 12 I was babysitting a 6 yr old then he asked how many years older than him I was 😅 the one time I ever felt old I mumbled under my breath 6 years... lol

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Ladi Fuller
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do not worry. My son said he was listening to old school. I asked him what he was listening to and he said Eminem, lol. I am just about to dig my grave.

backatya
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

but all the good music came from the 70s 80 & some 90s

Wysteria_Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got hurt like that when I just read an article that the Princess Diaries is officially old enough to drink as it turned 21 this year...whoof, it hits so hard!

L.V
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, 2002 was less than 10 years ago... Because we all know that the 90s were 10 years ago, right? 😄

Sophia Atkinson
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A few weeks ago I was at my younger cousin’s birthday party and I was listening to my nostalgic playlist that while I was on the swings. A nine year old came over and said I was listening to oldies music. I asked why they thought Taylor Swift was old(because her music makes like at least 30% of all my playlists and I was listening to love story) and the kid said “that song your listening to is at least 20 years old. I told them that song originally came out in 2008 and that version I was listening to was the re-recorded version that came out last year. The kid smirked and said “see the song is so old, that she had to re-record it to get people to pay attention to the song again.” I decided that at this point I was going to ignore this child. Then a song from Victorious came on and the kid clapped. I asked why they were clapping and they said and I quote “finally you put on some modern music!” I have never laughed so hard in my life over something as ridiculous as that. I explained to the child that no this song was not

Sophia Atkinson
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

New or re-recorded and that the song was only one year older than them. The kid screamed “I’M OLD!” and then ran away.

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B-flat
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, no more

Amy Stone-Chandler
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sings Haddaway's "What is love?(baby don't hurt me)" 1993. 29 YEARS AGO...Your welcome. :)

Trisha Howson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Silently weeps and say to self " well it wasn't that long ago to me....."

Caitlyn Fell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Two year's before I was born...I wasn't even a twinkle in either of my parents eyes... 🤣😅

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NsG
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooh, can we take bets on which one? (Also bumping a hidden comment down)

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Humor, however, is what ties evertything together. "Jokes keep me sane," James said. "A terrible disaster just makes for more content. For example, this week, my appendix ruptured and I nearly died. It made for a great newsletter."

But that's just scrathing the surface. If you are interested in hearing the resr of it, you can subscribe to James's newsletter at jamesbreakwell.substack.com. "It’s the best way to learn more about my parenting style and my occasionally exploding organs," he added.

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Caitlyn Fell
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well? Can they? It's an important world changing question you know

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Al Christensen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This reminds me of my former wife. She hated having her picture taken because she always ended up looking funny. I explained that was because whenever someone pointed a camera at her she made her "Ew don't do that" face.

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Caitlyn Fell
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course. Life is all about time management and prioritizing. You raised her well 🙌

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Ellieee
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In third grade we would always have lessons on the carpet to I guess be more connected or smthg? Anyways we were bored so my friend tried to show me how to breakdance, and I spun around a bunch and accidentally tripped a kid who was carrying a couple boxes of pastels. He landed flat on his face. The teacher called my parents. It was not a great day

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Deborah Harris
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as it wasn't someone screaming 'get out of the house now!!!' In your own voice then you should be fine 🙂

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Esiaa
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just like me and my parents 😂 After a while my father would always figure it out anyway.

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Esiaa
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I'm jealous. We never built catapults in my school.

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Michelle C
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She’s right. One of my ears actually bled because I was that stressed out when I got my ears pierced. I’m a wuss when it comes to pain.

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JJ(they/them)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

life is brief. the world will end. bathes are forever. EMBRACE THE BATH

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John Herro
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"If you have 10 cookies and someone asks you for 3 of them, how many do you have?" "10" "Correct! Now, if you have 10 cookies and someone FORCIBLY TAKES 3 from you, how many do you have?" "7" "No, 10 and a dead body."

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Caitlyn Fell
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🎶It was a normal day (it was a normal day) We were waking Up, Not a mess upstairs (No mess allowed upstairs) The Kids Woke up with a mischievous grin (Mess)🎶

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Ember
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we’re gonna need a bigger boat… 🦈

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Minath
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love documentaries, I watched one on the Korean ferry disaster last night. Heartbeat, but also very informative.

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Colin Timp
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was always in a panic about remembering my locker combination. For the life of me I could never remember it until I was at my locker.

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Panda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My 6 year old found the new Apple TV remote easy to use. I had to Google how to use it.

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Ember
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All I get when I ask that question is “Nothing”…. At least your kids are learning ‘Stuff’.

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Margaret Weaver
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sheer discrepancy between effort and result here is astounding. This is honestly inspiring.

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Bubs623
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom's remedy for everything was : have a Spite, take a hot bath and then take a nap. Sleep is, after all, the poor man's physician.

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Jaya
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor kids nowadays, we at least always had hope that there would be too much snow so we couldn't go to school. Mind you, never ever has this actually happened in my life. Not even once. But still, it was nice to feel that hopeful.

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Jaya
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how kids actually use all parts of the house for sitting and lying down, whereas us boring adults only the boring parts like chairs. I can't even remember the last time I was lying under a bed or on top of the table, man what a boring adult have I become.

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Caitlyn Fell
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's...really sad. But whatever floats your boat? (And fair tbh)

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Michelle C
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s one way to solve the problem of not knowing what you want!

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Christof Irran
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is it about "Can I borrow a saw?"? I worked for this law firm (in accounting) and I called the supply guy, asking whether I can borrow a hacksaw (just to yank his chain). He said they didn't have one. Two minutes later he and five lawyers showed up in my office, curious about what I needed a hack saw for.

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