Parenting Isn't Easy

Parenting Isn't Easy
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Parents often worry that they’re not doing the right thing. If these pictures show you anything, the feeling does not appear to be unfounded. From allowing kids to pee in showrooms to capturing a nasty fall on camera, these moments will make you laugh or gasp (or most likely some expression in between).

mHowever, like most things in life and in parenting, we learn the best lessons from experiencing mistakes firsthand. Good thing the kids came out okay after these not-so-ok moments.

Here are 65 parents who captured some epic parenting fails on camera:

1. Spelling error

All this mom wanted was a photo of her children spelling out “LOVE.”

In case you didn’t learn your alphabet from the Village People, the first and third letters both look like Cs. Can you guess what the other two are?

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@SydneyKing3/Twitter Source: @SydneyKing3/Twitter

2. Headbutt

Hey, dad, you’re supposed to protect your kid from the soccer ball, not let him get hit by it in the face!

Unless this is a new sport we’re not aware of?

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h1lleard/Reddit Source: h1lleard/Reddit

3. Holiday sweater horror

This parent accidentally sent their son to school with an ugly sweater that was less than child-appropriate.

One wonders why they’d even make this in a children’s size!

It was only after his kindergarten teacher pointed out what Santa was doing that the parents caught on to their wardrobe malfunction.

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angryhamzter/Imgur Source: angryhamzter/Imgur

4. You’ve got a little something on your head

This scene is probably something that a mom would never want to see.

We can only imagine the woman’s horror when someone pointed out that there is a lemur in her baby’s stroller!

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Musicats78/Reddit Source: Musicats78/Reddit

5. Miscalculation

This looked like a fun idea until the swinging started.

Looks like this little girl needed a better grip.

It’s a good thing she had a soft landing.

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PistolsGoPow/Imgur Source: PistolsGoPow/Imgur

6. Ketchup conundrum

Well, how else are you supposed to get ketchup off a baby?

That looks a bit close to the eye there, dad! Maybe next time put a napkin over the kid.

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99999999999999999989/Reddit Source: 99999999999999999989/Reddit

7. What-master?

This PROBABLY says “Bassmaster.” Probably.

But some school photographer decided to have a little fun by asking this kid to turn a little too far to the right.

Next time mom and dad might want to second-guess the shirt choice.

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oinkmekid/Reddit Source: oinkmekid/Reddit

8. Memories

Aww, remember that time we didn’t bother to read the title?

At least it’ll give the family a good laugh when they look back.

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Instagram Source: Instagram

9. Working dad

Did you know a baby’s butt is as soft as a mousepad?

We just hope the kid stays in place so dad can get some work done.

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Botra/Imgur Source: Botra/Imgur

10. Creative endeavors

Little kids love to play with Legos and it helps their creativity to go off-book and build their own creations.

But this little one managed to build a pub with patrons falling out of their seats drunk.

It makes you wonder what he’s been watching!

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smarshyboy/Reddit Source: smarshyboy/Reddit

11. Oops

This family was supposed to get a sweet shot of the parents swinging their baby. But someone swung a bit too hard.

Talk about getting the shot just in time – these parents will definitely have a photoshoot to remember. Once they clean up their poor kid.

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WakaFlockhart/Reddit Source: WakaFlockhart/Reddit

12. Spitting image

This mom was spitting sunflower seeds out her front window only to find out later that they had made their way back in through the backseat window and onto her sleeping daughter.

Oops!

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@MiaSimper101/Twitter Source: @MiaSimper101/Twitter

13. Toddler tether

Well, that’s one way to keep your kid from wandering off!

Maybe mom had to take a bathroom break and had no other choice.

It’s kind of a genius hack if you absolutely must leave the room for just a minute.

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Botra/Imgur Source: Botra/Imgur

14. Portrait of the artist as a toddler

One mom thought that it would be a great idea to let her baby explore art by giving her painting materials. But when she came back from the kitchen to watch her little painter color her canvas, she was surprised to find her doing some body painting instead!

Good thing it was washable paint!

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@mrs_bford/Instagram Source: @mrs_bford/Instagram

15. Pool days with pops

Sometimes dads don’t know their own strength – especially when it comes to tossing kids.

A little too much exertion means this kid was in for a wild ride. Just take a look at his face if you want to see how it’s going.

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@sherrie.jjones/Instagram Source: @sherrie.jjones/Instagram

16. Training day

That’s why they call it potty *training* – they’re not always going to get it right on the first try.

At least it happened outside!

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@AnnaKFarris/Twitter Source: @AnnaKFarris/Twitter

17. He asked for it!

When this kid ran up to the ride and asked to go on, little did he know how much he’d hate it.

That’s 30 seconds that will last a lifetime!

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@noellemakipovey/Instagram Source: @noellemakipovey/Instagram

18. The hardships of being a parent

Toddlers are notorious for being eternally energetic. They simply want to run around all day!

This dad looks pretty exhausted from running after his nude toddler, but nevertheless, he persisted.

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couchsittingbum/Reddit Source: couchsittingbum/Reddit

19. Resting beach face

The beach is a very nice place to go to. Kids just love to have fun under the sun!

But there is one thing that parents totally hate about the beach: sand. It’s everywhere!

And if you’re not careful, your kids might end doing a faceplant right into the stuff.

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@chicadclovers/Instagram Source: @chicadclovers/Instagram

20. Haircut hell

If you want to cut your kid’s hair, make sure you know how to use the tools correctly.

Otherwise, you’ll want to shell out for a pro unless you want them walking around like this.

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Instagram Source: Instagram

21. Well, it works for the cat so why not the kid?

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

There are moments when parents think of unconventional ways to get their kids from Point A to Point B (especially when B stands for bed).

Take this dad for example. He wanted his toddler to go to his room and so he lured him there with a laser pointer.

Good kitty…we mean kiddo.

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sethanold/Reddit Source: sethanold/Reddit

22. Nap and play

Well, that’s one way to get a nap in while minding your toddler.

The kid doesn’t look impressed though.

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Botra/Imgur Source: Botra/Imgur

23. Hanging him out to dry

Hammocks always seem like a fun idea until you have to get into and out of one. It’s not a beginner-level skill!

Wearing arm floaties certainly doesn’t help either.

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@chicadclovers/Instagram Source: @chicadclovers/Instagram

24. Role model

One of the challenges of having a toddler is getting them to go to sleep!

This mom found it totally hilarious when she opened the door to her one-year-old’s room and found dad lying on the floor to make sure their baby did not wake up from her slumber.

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gmlgp9868 Source: gmlgp9868

25. When daddy goes shopping for the kids

This mom let her daughter and husband go out on their own to shop for the little girl’s new clothes. Why not? It’s a great bonding opportunity!

But after seeing what her husband bought for their daughter, we’re sure she won’t let them go out shopping alone ever again.

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Reddit Source: Reddit

26. Showing a bit too much skin

This is what you get when you let dad dress the kids for the pool.

This little girl’s swimsuit is backward, making it a tad more risque than intended.

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Instagram Source: Instagram

27. Bonkers background

This man’s girlfriend was taking candid pictures of him at the mall when they suddenly noticed what was unfolding behind him.

Talk about candid camera!

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regalbeard/Imgur Source: regalbeard/Imgur

28. Table for two

This father only wanted to grab a nice dinner with his daughter.

Apparently, the little girl has other plans and decided to sit this way for most of the night.

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thegreatbarcia/Reddit Source: thegreatbarcia/Reddit

29. Mother knows text

This kid’s description of her mom hits a little too close to home and we can’t help but laugh at their total honesty.

What can we say, it’s an accurate 21st-century description of many parents.

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@bronlines/Instagram Source: @bronlines/Instagram

30. Father, daughter and extra daughter

Sometimes good parenting just requires some good cropping skills.

Or remembering that you have another kid.

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Pinterest Source: Pinterest

31. Baby on board

We get the whole sleepy kid thing, but that child isn’t going to be around long enough to play with those toys if he gets crushed by them first.

Leave it to the People of Walmart to give us this insight into bad parenting.

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People of Walmart Source: People of Walmart

32. Kid crusher

We think the kid is going to require some more breathing room.

Maybe just walk next time.

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Just Something Source: Just Something

33. Beat it

Oh, man, that REALLY looks like it’s still plugged in!

We all like to lick the beaters but it’s a parent’s job to make sure we don’t maim ourselves in the process!

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@regin4pun4ro/Twitter Source: @regin4pun4ro/Twitter

34. Desk chair drama

This dad thought it was a good idea to take his kids on a desk chair ride.

But what started as an exciting ride ended could have ended in disaster.

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YouTube Source: YouTube

35. Hey, can you spot me?

Maybe just skip arm day next time if this is how you’re going to do it while you’re babysitting.

What happens if that thing rolls forward? And how do you drop it without putting that kid in danger?!

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Just Something Source: Just Something

36. Baby doll

It’s true that some kids would rather play with the box.

But you’re not supposed to seal them in!

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@SerPadrees0/Twitter Source: @SerPadrees0/Twitter

37. Minnie Monster

This mom wanted to make her daughter feel less afraid when sleeping in her bedroom so she bought this cute Minnie Mouse lamp.

But when she turned it on she instantly knew that she made a mistake.

Sweet dreams!

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kesade/Imgur Source: kesade/Imgur

38. Blowout

It’s a sweet sentiment until you notice the blowout going on in the back of the kid’s diaper.

Talk about timing!

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Pinterest Source: Pinterest

39. Shoeless and clueless

Apparently, having more kids does not really equate to having better parenting skills. Just look at what this kid’s parents did.

She’s their third child and yet they still forgot to put shoes on her when it’s 30 degrees outside.

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@sarah_mcginnity/Instagram Source: @sarah_mcginnity/Instagram

40. So easy you can do it with your eyes closed

Parenting requires a bit more attention. But to be fair, it requires some rest every now and then too unless your baby learns how to eat through its ear.

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