Join the Fun!

Boys don't cry.

Let the damn boys cry

chinchuberry Report

Final score:

345points

POST

Aurelia! 3 years ago

LET THEM CRY!

71points

Making children hug or kiss someone (usually a relative) that they are uncomfortable with is not good. The child may just be grumpy and or not wanting to show affection or their warning bell sensors could be going off and they do not know how to communicate that. Plus forcing them to hug/kiss sends mixed messages about personal/physical boundaries and affection itself

NemoKhongMotAi Report

Final score:

343points

POST

monsa8 3 years ago

This is so true. Spot on!

66points

Modern schooling, if left to its own devices, generally has the unwanted effect of making kids far more passive than we’d like them to be. School tends to reward following orders and compliance more than independence, active curiosity, and drive. And that’s an issue that can have far-reaching consequences, one of which is the fear of doing what you want or trying new things.

“When a seventh-grade teacher friend of mine asked her students—aged 12 and 13—what new things they wanted to do on their own, but were still a little hesitant to try, the responses were rather shocking to me,” Lenore, the founder of Let Grow and the Free-Range Kids movement, shared with Bored Panda.

“One kid wanted to walk the dog—but was afraid it would get off the leash. Another said he wanted to go to the store—but he’d never been inside one without his mom, and he was worried about being surrounded by strangers. A few said they wanted to take a bike ride or even climb a tree, but they were afraid of hurting themselves.”

What to think instead of how to think

LewsTherinT Report

Final score:

287points

POST

lenka 3 years ago

Yes!

41points

That they shouldn't question an adult

stayalive102 Report

Final score:

277points

POST

Aurelia! 3 years ago

YES if we don't question adults, oppressive systems will stay THE SAME we will just pass them down and never make any progress.

41points

That failure is bad. Failing should not be considered as an obstacle but a step in the learning process. Demonizing the failure and stigma associated with it makes many children lose their interest once they fail.

Peace_Pepper Report

Final score:

257points

POST

Aurelia! 3 years ago

EMBRACE THE FAILURE

38points

Lenore explained that “our catastrophizing culture” has scared parents so much, they’re anxious about letting their kids do pretty much anything and everything. While there are exceptions, of course, many parents veer sharply towards being overprotective and overbearing because they fear for their munchkins’ safety.

Ironically, the result is the opposite of what they want. “The result is not safety, it’s anxiety—kids who absorbed the message that everything is too much for them to handle. When you’re anxious, a simple slip-up doesn’t seem so simple. It seems huge—even life-threatening. How can you avoid those awful threats? That part is simple,” Lenore detailed. “You avoid doing anything.”

Doing nothing is exactly what the seventh graders that Lenore mentioned up above ended up doing. That fear spread to other parts of their life in the classroom, from taking tests (“what if they got a bad grade?”) to asking the teacher which side of the page they should write their name on (“they wouldn’t dare just choose their own!”).

Nobody cares about children’s/teens issues. “Well it’s only going to get worse from here”. “You think school is hard? Have you ever paid a f**king bill” “You’re just a kid you can’t feel this way”.

It breeds an emotional disconnect from parents and their kids. And makes kids feel alone in their emotional struggles, that nobody cares because they’re not adults and they don’t have “Adult Problems”.

Fantalitymlp Report

Final score:

246points

POST

Toko Danganronpa 3 years ago

Exactly. People often have bad assumptions of teenagers, but they have myriads of issues they don't talk about.

53points

It seems like forcing kids to eat everything off their plate is pretty harmful, it doesn't matter if they're full, they have to clean off their plate and they can't leave the table until they do

-Knivezz- Report

Final score:

217points

POST

Erihapeti Swampwitch 3 years ago (edited)

I agree, this doesn't allow children to self regulate and know when they are full. It me years to unlearn this behavior.

43points

That you can be anything you want in life.

Sorry but this just isn't correct. Poor Eddie who can't grasp basic division isn't going to be an astronaut

Rukawork Report

Final score:

212points

POST

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)

I agree with this 100%. I also hate the saying that everything is possible if you put your mind to it. Umm no, not everything is possible for everyone.

60points

“The teacher told one girl who came to class late and hadn’t had time to get lunch, ‘That’s ok—just go grab something from the cafeteria and come back!’ ‘By myself?’ the girl asked. She was afraid to walk down the halls of her safe school, in a safe neighborhood, in suburban New York. Everyday life is seen as filled with risk.”

This passivity isn’t making children any happier, Lenore put it bluntly. Instead, kids are kept deep inside their comfort zones fully believing that it’s all that they can stand and that this is all that life has to offer. Fortunately, the students that Lenore mentioned had an awesome teacher who didn’t want them to go into high school and then adulthood with so much fear in their lives.

“She wanted to break the shell growing thicker around them every day. And so she assigned The Let Grow Project—a homework assignment that tells kids to, ‘Go home and do something new, on your own.’ At last, the kids were given a push to get out of their comfort zone—and so were their parents. After all, now school was telling them to let go of their kids and give them a little independence,” Lenore said.

#10

“No “tattle tails” or “snitching”

How many kids are abused or bullied and won’t come forward because of this?”

Report

Final score:

209points

POST

Rakjell Hanwell 3 years ago (edited)

The best way to 'deal' with a kid who is constantly snitching on others for minute things, in my experience, is to take them seriously and if it is possible (which with small conflicts between children it normally almost always is) to tell them to resolve the conflict on their own, by talking. Or, if the snitching kid actually was the one causing the conflict, to show them that you are aware of who actually started it ('Sarah was mean to me!' 'That is not nice, but I also saw you taking away her stuff. Could it be that she wasn't nice to you because of that?') Snitching becomes much less exciting, when there is no adult who goes berserk on the one your snitching on (or if you get caught doing something 'bad' yourself)

65points

#11

"If he's mean to you he likes you" It just teaches little girls (mostly girls) to expect violence from people who love them

mbar2004 Report

Final score:

198points

POST

GirlFriday 3 years ago

Again, this comes from people thinking girls are easier to control. "It is easier for us to teach the girl that she likes being hit than it is for us to teach the boy to stop hitting."

17points

#12

My son’s preschool has a strict “you do not have to play if you don’t want to” policy. No one has to play with anyone they don’t want to play with. They say that no one has to to hug or touch anyone or be touched if they don’t want it. No one has to share their toys or other school supplies if they aren’t done with it. In fact the preschool teacher will go over and referee and say “is Bobby done with the toy car? No? Then Mikey, you have to wait until he is done.” It’s pretty refreshing. I wanted to let you know there are new philosophies and my son’s preschool really strongly teaches body autonomy. Your body is your own and no one can touch it or make you do anything with it without your permission

Report

Final score:

193points

POST

Rissie 3 years ago

Oh, I'm not totally fine with this. Sometimes some guidance can be refreshing too for that kid that has a hard time connecting or little Bobby has been hogging that car the whole day. Small children totally act on instinct. Helping them look at other angles isn't going to hurt anyone. Just don't force anything. Hugs and physical contact? Totally agree. Although I feel this is more of an American thing?

36points

“You can see the results in this 2-minute video. That teacher made them do twenty Let Grow Projects. And the result was kids blossoming like crazy—riding their bikes, joining sports programs, piercing their ears, making dinner, walking to town with their friends, and discovering how great it is to do rather than to hide.”

Lenore stressed that any school can do The Let Grow Project and all of their materials are available absolutely for free. You’ll find the project right here and the Independence Kit right over here.”It works for kids aged 5 to 14 or so. And by the way, if you or your school do The Project, drop me a note—I’d love to hear about it! You can write to me via Info@LetGrow.org,” Lenore added, saying that she wants you, dear Pandas, to reach out to her.

#13

Being wrong is bad. That's why many people don't change their mind when they were given trustable sources, they don't want to be wrong

oti890 Report

Final score:

191points

POST

Katherine Boag 3 years ago

It's more than that, it's that being wrong will get you made fun of. Being wrong makes you an idiot.

57points

#14

Abstinence only sex education. This is more of what they're not being taught. Proper sex education is important.

Edit: For anyone interested I'm posting a link to a John Oliver segment on Americas sex education system. Its very informative but also quite funny.

GurgleQueen636 Report

Final score:

180points

POST

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago

I am just curious but do any other countries do abstinence based sex education or is it really only America?

31points

#15

My mom would often punish me for something, and whenever I asked why or what I did I was told “I’m the adult and you are the child” or “because I said so” or “you shouldn’t need a reason”.

Report

Final score:

177points

POST

Marianne 3 years ago

How can punishment have any positive effect when the child has no idea what they did wrong?

53points

In an earlier interview with Lenore, the president of Let Grow, and the founder of the Free-Range Kids movement, told Bored Panda about how kids can keep their curiosity burning and their desire to learn bright and well-honed as they grow.

"I’ve been wondering this myself: How to stay curious when hit by 'the blahs?' Next to Covid (and in great part thanks to Covid) the blahs are the most catching virus around. You get tired and bored by being tired and bored, talking about being tired and bored, and succumbing to them,” Lenore said about how the pandemic is making all of us feel less energetic, physically and mentally.

“Unfortunately, the whole thing is self-reinforcing: A feeling of listlessness leads you to scroll through your social media of choice, which makes you feel more blah, leading you to scroll some more, etc."

#16

Doing the right thing will sometimes make others hate you. Be prepared for that.

FloKarle Report

Final score:

172points

POST

Stephanie IV 3 years ago

That is a good thing to teach.

47points

#17

That complaining is the same as not being grateful. Can’t count the number of times growing up when adults basically told me to shut up whenever I was complaining about something and that I should be grateful that I was born where I was. Like sure, I’m glad I wasn’t born into some starving African family, but that doesn’t mean everything is perfect over here and that we shouldn’t try to improve things here as well.

II_Neo_II Report

Final score:

163points

POST

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago

Yes I hate this. People even say it to adults. We are entitled to our feelings, doesn’t matter if someone has a worse life than us, everyone copes with things differently.

46points

Rissie 3 years ago (edited)

I do get this when it comes from people dealing with kids that are complaining about everything. The, my toy isn't good enough complaints. The entitled ones. But I still don't agree with that answer though. If you don't like it. Please go get yourself a new whatever.

6points

sylvantic 3 years ago

this type of thing hurts mental health as well. makes people feel like they have no right to be depressed, their life is so much better than other people.

4points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

We're all allowed to have a bad mood/day, it doesn't make us awful people, just people who had a bad day/mood/experience.

2points

Lulu Lemons 3 years ago

Same with disabilities. I'm autistic and at my primary school I was always told that I should be grateful I wasn't severely impaired. Lead to me not discussing my issues and getting the needed further diagnosis of dyslexia and face blindness late

0points

N G 3 years ago

Ugh, and The Misery Olympics.

0points

Conceptual&Colorful 3 years ago (edited)

The fact that you broke your leg doesn’t make my ankle hurt any less.

3points

Enlee Jones 3 years ago

OMG I absolutely hate this. I’ve gotten the “what do you have to be stressed about??” thing and it totally pisses me off. It just completely disregards my feelings, like I have no right to be stressed or angry about something and my feelings don’t count.

2points

El muerto 3 years ago

as an adult...listen to complains is good, but also, no, not everything is easy or fair, and you just have to suck it up sometimes...as somebody who grew upp in the bottom layer of society. you should not everything to go your way...sometime you have to wear a mask even if you hate it, and you can complain but it will not take maska away...not having food is a tragedi, not being able to hung at the beach is an inconvinience...at some point you have to learn the difference

1point

Jill Bussey 3 years ago

It's not a competition as to who has it worst or best. We all deal with our lives.

1point

Sue User 3 years ago

My canned response is: if I can't be upset because others have it worse then you can't be happy because others have it better.

1point

I want cake 3 years ago

It's a very destructive thing to teach someone, because you're essentially preventing them from dealing with the problems they face. If you're not allowed to complain about something, or ask for help, then you're going to push it down and ignore it. You're going to compare every problem you face with someone else's and trivialise them and by the time you realise that you've deeply traumatised yourself by bottling up everything that hurt you instead of working through it, you'll have years of work ahead of you to heal from it and change your habits.

1point

I want cake 3 years ago

In the Netherlands a lot of people will tell you off for saying you're hungry (ik heb honger) instead of saying you're peckish (ik heb trek), by lecturing you that 'children in Africa are hungry, you don't know what hunger is' and that always made me so irrationally angry. As if we don't have poverty here in Europe, as if people don't go hungry every day because they have to choose between eating and paying rent. Either way, joke's on them because I grew up in a few African countries so I always replied 'I used to be a child in Africa so I can say what I damn well please'.

1point

I want cake 3 years ago (edited)

Obviously, having lived in a few African countries I know very well that there is a big difference in the level/kind of poverty, but what I hate so much about that attitude is that pretending that we don't have poverty and hunger serves to hide our own problems and promotes seeing the African continent as an 'other', an us vs them, and it reduces an amazing, vibrant, growing and creative continent to a caricature of poverty that people use to shush their guilt through petty semantics.

1point

Hollysmom 3 years ago

Same experiences. The problems/struggles of someone else do not diminish yours.

1point

Sara Rosen 3 years ago

YAASSS. And there is often (not always) a gendered component here. Little girls learn that their needs or wants are not important. Also, children's language and logic skills take time to develop so the tone with which they express need/want may come out sounding like whining but it does not mean that the need/want isn't valid.

1point

DogGoneOlive 2 years ago

My Mom always said "At least I feed you and clothe you and keep you under a roof!" Like yes- Mother, I know, but that's literally your job as a parent. When you decided to have a child, you should've been prepared for the fact that yes, you have to take care of me.

0points

Lisa Shelton 3 years ago

Depends on what you are complaining about. If you are saying that you hate the fact that so many bad things have been happening here lately...well I agree with you kid. If you were just handed a piece of cake that mom made from scratch and you complain that you wanted sprinkles and ice cream too...then you are going to get told to be grateful.

0points

Mark Kelly 3 years ago

Or when someone says "It could be worse". I say. sure but it could also be better.

0points

Christina Uhlir 3 years ago

Those parent's are ignoring their children's emotional needs, as opposed to not teaching (rich) spoild kids a bit of modesty and inextravagancy.

0points

backatya 3 years ago

Actually usually when kids complain when they're fairly well off is actually complaining.

0points

Mi Shield 3 years ago

I can't always agree with this because I have a friend who sometimes just acts so horrifyingly entitled. Not in a racist or something way, it's just so ANNOYING.

0points

Dale 3 years ago

WRONG, complaining and expressing concern are two different things, if a child says mom it's hot in here that's different than a child saying mom I got the blue bubble gum I want the red it's not fair. No, teach your kids to be grateful and not complain.

0points

Kennedy Ondimu 3 years ago (edited)

I believe starvation is a global problem...."Like sure, I’m glad I wasn’t born into some starving African family" sounds like a stereotype and insensitive if not more!. Otherwise your article is great!

-1point

Paradise 3 years ago

A lot of people are against complaining. It is a 1st world white person rich person thing I hear. Yea, sometimes. There ia a dofference between making a statement vs whining like a baby.

-1point

Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago (edited)

There is a difference between legitimate complaining and whining. Only experience will help you learn the difference.

-1point

Carol Emory 3 years ago

You can complain, but no whining. Whining gets the opposite of stating your case like an adult. If you present your case in a mature fashion, then I will take it seriously. But if you whine, I will be temporarily deaf until you change your tone.

-1point

Kirbi 3 years ago

O M G!!!!! I cant stand when someone does this! It makes me want to scream!

-1point

#18

No is a 'bad' word. It's a strong word but not a bad one.

NotMyPenguin Report

Final score:

149points

POST

Aurelia! 3 years ago

So true - it is important to understand what 'no' means and to take it seriously, but also be able to use it when it is needed. Teach them early, and consent won't be an issue.

29points

Lenore put it bluntly: if we want to be curious about life again, if we want to be constantly learning, we have to start off by getting off the couch. “Force yourself out the door. Why? Because beyond your four walls, things are never exactly the same. Weather, animals, people, sounds, smells, clouds—they’re all swirling about."

She continued: "Ask yourself to start noticing new things. I did that this morning with a friend. We took a walk around our neighborhood and started looking for interesting details in the homes and buildings we passed. It went from a walk down streets we’d seen a million times to a sort of treasure hunt. And the big thing we were really hunting for? Curiosity! When you’re curious, you’re alive again—noticing, thinking, making connections. You can’t do that if there’s no new information coming in. So your first step is to force yourself out of a rut by leaving the house (harder during the pandemic, but not impossible)."

#19

"The parents never make a mistake"

AKuAkUhhh Report

Final score:

147points

POST

Tame panda 3 years ago

Best one

29points

#20

"No backtalk." Many adults use it as "you're not allowed to challenge what I have to say." Makes sense if it's a cranky toddler being negative for negativity's sake, but suddenly older children can't question things or raise valid points of their own.

lesoldatrose Report

Final score:

145points

POST

Raine Soo 3 years ago

Growing up, I was all about the backtalk. My father found it amusing that I was a wise-ass. My mother hated it because it was so unbecoming of a young lady.

53points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

See Also on Bored Panda

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#21

That you shouldnt hit a woman. Dont hit anyone! (unless its self defence) If my child is being hit by a woman, and bullied...equal rights equal fights

aseald_Sapnu Report

Final score:

143points

POST

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago

Very true. If you can dish it, then you can take it.

55points

If you look at the pandemic from a different perspective, it might motivate you to start learning new things. For instance, think about what you’d wish you’d learned or a skill that you’d like to have honed by the end of the pandemic.

“Think of something you’d like to be able to say you’ve been working on, especially once life returns to normal: 'Well, I wasted a lot of that free time I had, but at least I started...' Or, 'At least I learned…' For my sister, she’s taking ballet online. For my husband, he’s learning film editing. For me, it’s… oh God! I better come up with something fast! Um…let’s say I will learn how to create a Clubhouse program. Ok?" Lenore quipped that even the best of the best can struggle with this during the lockdowns.

#22

That the news is completely reliable

Gray-Doons Report

Final score:

139points

POST

Rissie 3 years ago

Sweety, even your own eyes deceive you. Always be open for changes to your reality.

20points

#23

Happened to my son in middle school, a kid sucker punched my son. My son then fought back and pinned the kid against the wall ( he has long arms) and punched him a few times. The school called me and my wife and told us our son was suspended. We went to the school and they said even though multiple witnesses as well as the kid said he threw the first punch that the school had a zero tolerance policy so our son would be suspended. We asked what the school believed our son should have done and they said he should just walk away. We told them that he would not be receiving any punishment at home and that the policy was f**ked up.

VaDem33 Report

Final score:

133points

POST

Caroline 3 years ago

I always tell my kids to never ever start a fight, but I will always be on their side when they retaliate. I am allowing them to defend themselves anyway they can, regardless of school rules. The attacker should be the one being punished not the defender.

34points

#24

I think what we're not taught is more harmful. For example the fact that we never learn (at least in my country) how to fact check things.

Urgash54 Report

Final score:

129points

POST

Aurelia! 3 years ago

so true, here in the US, our education system is MESSED UP we need to rethink how and what we teach our children

34points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

See Also on Bored Panda

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

Even leaving the house to get your blood flowing is a great step toward learning a new skill. What’s more, feeling envy toward someone who’s good at a particular skill or particularly learned is a good way to get yourself motivated to strive for more.

“Do not worry if you are taking that first step as simply something you’re doing thanks to social pressure, or for someone other than yourself. Change is change—the motivation doesn’t matter,” Lenore told Bored Panda.

Lenore believes that we should always be questing to learn more about the world while verifying whether or not something is actually true. That means navigating the world of false claims and fake news.

#25

That everybody is a winner. No. Losing and disappointments are part of life and they are integral to your growth both emotionally and socially. We have a lot of people who enter the real world who have been told they are deserving of things just because and cannot take rejections and losses in their personal and professional lives with any grace whatsoever. This is also resulting in mediocrity being accepted as a norm cos nobody wants to call out ineptitude. While the hard work and dedication being put in by people who do end up in good positions are being played down. It's a little harsh but it's true. Kids gotta learn how to lose before they can truly start to win. That's the only way being gracious in victory will ever come about.

nattlefrost Report

Final score:

121points

POST

troufaki13 3 years ago

Participation trophies may lead to giving no effort at all in my opinion. Why would someone try if they're going to get praised anyway? Embrace failure, learn from it and if you want to succeed you can try harder next time :)

35points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

See Also on Bored Panda

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#26

Kids are starting social media so early these days, and I think that’s very dangerous because it puts a lot of pressure on the kid to attribute their worth to their social media success. I also think parents are way too open with their social media when it comes to their kids, and it’s totally a violation of the child’s privacy, of which some parents will never admit

kay37892 Report

Final score:

106points

POST

Rakjell Hanwell 3 years ago

My 'favorite mum was the one who wouldn't allow the nursery school I worked in to take any photos of their child (making her child the only one who didn't get a memory book and learning portfolio) and screamed at me, because I (a man) was helping her daughter get dressed after she peed herself (she never objected to me doing so in advance and knew, that was one of my duties). She herself then proceeded to post hundreds of pictures of her daughter, including nude swimming pool photos, on facebook.

51points

#27

Bullies are only bullies because they feel insecure about themselves and you should sympathize with them. **k that, if someone is being s****y to you then they don't deserve your sympathy.

C0zy_Glow Report

Final score:

106points

POST

Beeps 3 years ago

I was always told that “bullies are only jealous of you” - whilst that may be true, it doesn’t help with the problem and kind of puts the blame on the victim for somehow doing too well.

13points

"When you’re reading an article that seems to be so shocking that you’re amazed this is the first time you’re hearing about it, take a short phrase from the piece and Google it. If something strikes you as fishy, go fishing," she said.

"As for whether or not your fishing will lead you to disinformation rather than the truth, try not to fish blindly. If you’re curious about crime stats, for instance, look these up on a government website, not some random blog," she explained. Checking websites like Snopes to see if some shocking stories are real or not is a good move.

#28

Not owning up to their mistakes or blaming them on others.

jamerstime Report

Final score:

101points

POST

Caroline 3 years ago

A lot of children nowadays are not accepting responsibilities. It's always someone else's fault. It makes me mad, especially as it's not just kids who do this, but society in general.

10points

#29

Children do learn about sex at a young age, it just isn’t usually in a productive way. I know I did.

My own experience: questions like this are why I believe in being infinitely clear with my kids….”you are going to hear total [nonsense] from other kids. If you hear something you don’t understand, come talk to me. You can ask me anything and expect a decent answer.” And I would give examples of the total [nonsense] I had heard as a kid, most of which would result in pregnancy.

Son, age 6. Daughter, age 7. Riding home from school: daughter says “Tiffany said she had sex with my brother.” Which left me a grand total of 3 minutes to gather my wits before we got home.

OK, do you guys know what sex is? Blank looks. Sex is when you take off all of your clothes and rub privates together. You can make babies that way. Looks of shock and disgust. Do you think your brother had sex with Tiffany? Nooo! I think she was using a really bad way of trying to say she likes him, and maybe she watches the wrong TV shows where if people like each other they always have sex.

Were my kids really ready for a sex talk? No, not really. They didn’t care. Did we really need to have one about then? Yep. My job as a parent is to be there to put things that come up in context for them, not run around after them deciding what and when they need to know things.

sushihcare Report

Final score:

101points

POST

nanashi 3 years ago

I believe when a kid starting to ask about sex, no matter what age, you the adult should explain it age appropriately. don't avoid it. don't mix with fantasy/myth/BS. just use the language level that they would understand.

29points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

See Also on Bored Panda

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#30

How to internalize stress and implode as teens and adults.

lunakat504 Report

Final score:

100points

POST

Siah avis 3 years ago

And teach them how to let someone know they are uncomfortable. Like how to approach someone in a position higher than you to tell them youre not ok with something.

16points

Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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Denis is a photo editor at Bored Panda. After getting his bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design, he tried to succeed in digital design, advertising, and branding. Also, Denis really enjoys sports and loves everything related to board sports and water.

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What do you think ?

POST

Rakjell Hanwell 3 years ago

As a nursery school teacher I want to add a lie, we always tell parents: that they are the 'experts' for their own child. No. The 'Expert' for your child is your child. They know, what is best for them. They might have difficulties voicing it, but it is our job to help them translate. Sure, kids love to do risky things, but not because they don't know what is good for them, but because they don't know much about the world yet. If a kid tells you, that they want to jump down the Niagara falls, what they are telling you probably is: 'I want to explore', 'I want to be somewhere high up and see the world from a new perspective' 'Or I want to go to the water'. They tell you, which learning experiences at that moment would benefit their development. We then have to translate it into something safe. ('Maybe we should jump from the tower in the local swimming pool first?')

13points

Legen ( wait for it ) dary 3 years ago

"They know what is the best for them". If would depend on my kids 5 and 3 they would watch cartoons all day long and eat only pasta Bolognese and pizza. I don't know how to translate this into something "useful /healthy"

3points

ST4WBeRRi FrOg 3 years ago

I have one...Telling kids that being part of the lgbtq+ is bad or you shouldn't be an allie.. this in my opinion is dumb because kids are young and are still trying to find themselfs I'm non-binary who grew up in a lgbtq+phobic household and when I then figured out myself I got really scared and upset because I thought if I told my family they would get pissed ( which they did) which led me into deppression. also saying kids wont understand lgbtq+ and are doing for a trend please kids are saying they n word for no reason and cussing ,starting good protests. please kids know things about the world and if a kid is lgbtq+ you might not agree I cant force you too but please respect it.

9points

ST4WBeRRi FrOg 3 years ago

Also Cischet people can be apart of the LGBTQ+ Straight Asexuals and Aromantics.

6points

Cynthia Bonville 3 years ago

Something we need to tell children and adults is that parents are not perfect, they are very imperfect - but as human beings they are striving to work on that. Ideally they have improved on how their parents raised them and their children will do more so if they have children. I have generational trauma that my father survived, while he did not visit it on us there were other things (his trauma leaking out making him kind of weird), I know I will do the same but we acknowledge it in our family. There is something I will unknowingly pass on, while I can't stop that I can admit that it's probably there and make room for more healing.

7points

Piet Puk 3 years ago

Children should be free from religion. I never understood how some parents could dictate their children what to believe.

3points

Oerff On Tour 3 years ago

Reminds me of "Religion is like a penis. It's ok to have it. It's even ok to be proud of it. But it's NOT ok to talk about it all the time. AND IT'S DEFINITELY NOT OK TO SHOVE IT DOWN OUR CHILDREN'S THROATS "

4points

Lilith the Demon Panda 3 years ago

is it just me or is this server getting more and more f****d up every day? replies appearing under wrong comments, comments disappearing randomly when clicked on "view more comments/replies", upvoting and downvoting doesn't work at all...

2points

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

Yes! Comments are wrong, the downvoted ones are at the top....I'm glad it's not just me!

1point

eimipet 3 years ago

I *HAVE* to show my parents this. They do a few of these....

1point

Chenandoa 3 years ago

One thing I would like to add: yes, teach your child to entertain themselves, but also spend time with them. My mom was SOOO pleased I left her alone (happily) while she worked on her master's. However, I remeber feeling sad at times because she was too busy for me to show her my puzzle, or whatever. Now, I am struggling to figure out how to entertain myself, and when I ask my mom (who has nothing to do but sit and worry all day) to play a bored game with me, or something time consuming, or even to just let me read a fiction book out loud to her, she almost always refuses...and I feel she has no interesting in doing something together. In fact, just 5 years ago, a request to do something with her was usually answered with "let's take a nap". I have literally napped ONCE since I was younger than 3.

1point

Monica Pryts 3 years ago

Stop telling them that Covid is a cold and that face masks will kill them.

0points

soniacccccccccc 3 years ago

the one thing parents must not teach their children is that illnesses are bad and are things you can use as slang. For example, where I live, all kids (mostly 8 year old boys) love to use the word schizophrenic as an insult. THIS IS NOT OK. WHY? And mental illnesses are also considered funny and stupid. this is not okay and it needs to stop. And no, I am not sexist. It's just the fact that boys here are taught that it's okay to make fun of people. And they are also really pressured by society to be "cool" and use these words. Just so you know, most don't even know what the word means.

0points

Mi Shield 3 years ago

This made me hate and distrust myself, it also ruined my mood and I probably should have stopped reading before I got down here. So that's kinda on me.

0points

KatCloud 3 years ago

My parents told me to stop saying ‘I don’t know’ and shrugging because it’s not the ‘right’ answer. They told me I was being too moody and blamed it on my, not my hormones. I am becoming a teenager now, and everyone blames it on me. It’s not like I can stop growing up. Another thing would be that my parents would punish me, I’d ask what I did wrong and they’d give me some stupid excuse like ‘because I said so’ or ‘I’m the parent’. This even happened with my friends, when I was in grade 1 or 2. They said they could tell me what to do because they were older than me. And one more thing: my parents force me to socialise with people I don’t know. Like, my parents’ friends and their kids. I never knew them but I was forced to say hello, greet myself and play with them. Once, I was going for a walk, and my brother and I went ahead of my parents, there was a lady, a man and two children. Then, the lady said hello to us. We didn’t know if she was a stranger or a friend.

0points

Genevieve B 3 years ago

We make it now seem like it's bad to be weird. my parents have always made sure i embrace my inner weird, and Im thankful for that.

0points

Logically Reasonable 3 years ago

I'm shocked that "Because I said so" wasn't on the list, much less #1 on the list!! ............ And I think it's what is NOT being taught to kids anymore = self reliance, honesty, compassion, manners, etiquette, social responsibility, social manners, social etiquette, think for yourself, what you see on TV is ENTERTAINMENT NOT REALITY OR TRUTH, don't expect other people to do it for you or think it for you because they aren't you, other people live on this planet so don't be an ass, theres a time and place for everything, and sex is NOT the most important thing, much less the end-all, be-all, super duper awesome thing the lying media and fake TV tells you it is. Some people go their whole lives without sex, and are extremely happy people.

0points

Monica Pryts 2 years ago

It's #15.

0points

Yugan Talovich 3 years ago

As a teacher, I'd like to add: don't worry too much about your homework, some time to goof off and a good night's sleep are more important.

0points

Chris 3 years ago

This week's "really obvious parenting" post, with tips to avoid things that nobody in their right mind would actually do. Stay tuned, Hans will be along in a minute with a recommended reading list of books he hasn't read.

0points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

Actually these aren't obvious to a lot of people. It's like some weird "reflex" to just say stuff we heard/were taught, and it's hard to break the cycle.

3points

Eslamala 3 years ago

The first thing people need to stop teaching to their kids is religion. Your kids aren't born stupid. Your indoctrination turns them into idiots.

0points

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

Actually, as a kid my parents (I guess they are Christian, although they don't attend church etc), they would take my sister and I to the local Presbyterian church, until we were 8 & 11, then said we could choose if we wished to keep going. We didn't. But it meant that I got perspective on religion, and kept me from being judgemental of those who choose religion; I could see the sense of community and positivity that came from that local church. It also opened my mind just enough to take philosophy of religion at uni, which has given me a better understanding of religions of which I was ignorant. Summary: I'm agnostic more than atheist, and I respect other people's religious choices. I don't accept the misuse of religion to excuse mistreatment however. All religions share common threads and similar tales within them, and love and tolerance are meant to be core aspects of most religion.

3points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

At Eslamala, It's not your thing, fine. But don't condemn it in all others, please. For some, it's a remarkably stabilizing force in their lives, and it's onlly as evil as the people make it. Not evil of itself, IMHO. (And don't start telling me about how religion led to XYZ wars. Yeah. Wars started by.... people who couldn't follow basic commandments to chill out, live an dlet live, be kind, and stop killing.)

2points

Cynthia Bonville 3 years ago

My dude, that is how religion is passed on - by examples of our cultural values. Religion is not harmful if it is not harmful (like doesn't preach hate or us vs. other for e.g.), and in fact multiple studies exist that expound on the value of religious practice - from longer life, greater pleasure in life, greater social connection, lower rates of heart disease, addictions, high blood pressure - you name it. Don't toss out everything because some of it seems distasteful and I will remind you that we're not idiots - that is a very ignorant over-simplification. Our faith is a gift I give my children, they are free to walk away if they choose but I am very aware a faith family will improve their health, lifespan and happiness in life.

1point

Soviet_catto 3 years ago

By indoctrination do you mean religion, or idiot opinions like antivax, flat earth, etc...

0points

Caroline 3 years ago

I do notice that this new generation has got less respect for anything and anyone than before, and shy away from responsibilities. It's always someone else's fault. I AM generalizing, but this is what I am witnessing around me. And with my own children!

-2points

angie but who cares 3 years ago

if you do things worthy of respect you will get it gen z here

5points

Owen Salmon2028 3 years ago

oh god ok im thinking of starting a new place contry underwater so i dont have my children learn these lies

-3points

POST

Rakjell Hanwell 3 years ago

13points

Legen ( wait for it ) dary 3 years ago

3points

ST4WBeRRi FrOg 3 years ago

9points

ST4WBeRRi FrOg 3 years ago

Also Cischet people can be apart of the LGBTQ+ Straight Asexuals and Aromantics.

6points

Cynthia Bonville 3 years ago

7points

Piet Puk 3 years ago

Children should be free from religion. I never understood how some parents could dictate their children what to believe.

3points

Oerff On Tour 3 years ago

4points

Lilith the Demon Panda 3 years ago

2points

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

Yes! Comments are wrong, the downvoted ones are at the top....I'm glad it's not just me!

1point

eimipet 3 years ago

I *HAVE* to show my parents this. They do a few of these....

1point

Chenandoa 3 years ago

1point

Monica Pryts 3 years ago

Stop telling them that Covid is a cold and that face masks will kill them.

0points

soniacccccccccc 3 years ago

0points

Mi Shield 3 years ago

This made me hate and distrust myself, it also ruined my mood and I probably should have stopped reading before I got down here. So that's kinda on me.

0points

KatCloud 3 years ago

0points

Genevieve B 3 years ago

We make it now seem like it's bad to be weird. my parents have always made sure i embrace my inner weird, and Im thankful for that.

0points

Logically Reasonable 3 years ago

0points

Monica Pryts 2 years ago

It's #15.

0points

Yugan Talovich 3 years ago

As a teacher, I'd like to add: don't worry too much about your homework, some time to goof off and a good night's sleep are more important.

0points

Chris 3 years ago

0points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

Actually these aren't obvious to a lot of people. It's like some weird "reflex" to just say stuff we heard/were taught, and it's hard to break the cycle.

3points

Eslamala 3 years ago

The first thing people need to stop teaching to their kids is religion. Your kids aren't born stupid. Your indoctrination turns them into idiots.

0points

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

3points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

2points

Cynthia Bonville 3 years ago

1point

Soviet_catto 3 years ago

By indoctrination do you mean religion, or idiot opinions like antivax, flat earth, etc...

0points

Caroline 3 years ago

-2points

angie but who cares 3 years ago

if you do things worthy of respect you will get it gen z here

5points