ADVERTISEMENT

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.

More info: ExplodingUnicorn.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Books

RELATED:

    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."

    ADVERTISEMENT

    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."

    #7

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    NsG
    Community Member
    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)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    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."

    ADVERTISEMENT

    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.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #28

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Caitlyn Fell
    Community Member
    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

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #31

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Mosheh Wolf
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did you hear that, George R. R. Martin? You don't want to do a Robert Jordan, and write so slowly that you die before you finish and somebody else has to finish your series! PS. not complaining - I think that Brandon Sanderson did an amazing job and really managed to capture Jordan at his best.

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

    A Wheel of Time might've been the preferable way to go. I read an article where Martin basically said that if he died tomorrow, the rest of A Song of Ice and Fire would die with him because he didn't have all his ideas backed up or a designated ghost rider. So I really hope we're not straight up screwed.

    Load More Replies...
    Kim Lorton
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The best thing about reading, is when you discover a book series already out and you need to read about 12 books to get to the present in the series! I always think it is wonderful and it makes me giddy, to know I have books to read, that I know I willlove, because I read book 1 and there are now 12 more to read!

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

    Wait until 7 discovers that authors sometimes die before finishing the series.

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

    I worry about that exact thing a lot more than is probably reasonable. My favorite author has promised several more books in my favorite series, but it was four years between the last book and the previous one. Other than obviously wishing good things upon him, I'm also quite invested in his longevity. Long live good authors!

    Load More Replies...
    MyloXyloto
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The release of stranger things seasons. At this rate, the time it took to make season 4, the next one will be released in 2026... 😓

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

    Most of us super-readers know that our reading habits are too much for our parents bank accounts and are fine with visiting the library. The amount of large bags and library trips that the parents have to deal with is not that cheap, but asking for a library, I think most of us know better. But yes, I still want a library.

    Load More Replies...
    Nick Bradshaw
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can only hope it wasn't the "Song of Ice and Fire" series, or that poor girl is in for some serious learning about patience and disappointment

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

    That's the way I feel about Rhys Bowen, Susan Elia MacNeal, and so many others!

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

    When I was in public school, last century, the big series books were Hardy Boys, and Tom Swift, Jr. I read all the series up to date, and there was a new one every two months or so. Years later, I learned that the 'authors' were groups of paid mechanics turning out volume after volume according to formula. Then, I realized that the quality varied horribly from book to book. Still goes on, you know.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #43

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Al Christensen
    Community Member
    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.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #46

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Caitlyn Fell
    Community Member
    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 🙌

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #50

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ellieee
    Community Member
    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

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #53

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Deborah Harris
    Community Member
    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 🙂

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #58

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Esiaa
    Community Member
    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.

    #60

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Esiaa
    Community Member
    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.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #61

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Michelle C
    Community Member
    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.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #63

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    JJ(they/them)
    Community Member
    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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #71

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    John Herro
    Community Member
    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."

    #76

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Caitlyn Fell
    Community Member
    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)🎶

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #81

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ember
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

    #82

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Minath
    Community Member
    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.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #84

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Colin Timp
    Community Member
    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.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #85

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Panda
    Community Member
    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.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #86

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #91

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #95

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ember
    Community Member
    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’.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #97

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #98

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    #103

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #104

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Margaret Weaver
    Community Member
    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.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #108

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #110

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #112

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bubs623
    Community Member
    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.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #117

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jaya
    Community Member
    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.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #118

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jaya
    Community Member
    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.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #119

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Caitlyn Fell
    Community Member
    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)

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #120

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #121

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Michelle C
    Community Member
    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!

    #123

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #124

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Christof Irran
    Community Member
    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.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #125

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #126

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #129

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #130

    Funny-Relatable-Parenting-Tweets-Xploding-Unicorn-James-Breakwell

    XplodingUnicorn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST