Parents sure do have some opinions on other parents! We asked our community what they think makes someone an irresponsible parent, and they did not hold back with the hot takes.
A lack of rules
“Having no rules for your kids. No set bedtimes, mealtimes, healthy food, constant electronics,” Pam said.
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Kids need structure and rules – it’s how they learn how to be responsible adults!
Smoking
Caroline shared she saw a “couple smoking in a car with a newborn and toddler in the back seat […]”
There is no reason to be smoking around your kids in this day and age – and that goes for vaping, too!
Kids who have electronics
Lisa said: “Giving a child a phone, iPad, or any electronic device to entertain them while out at dinner.”
This may be a hot take, but I completely agree. Teaching kids how to properly socialize and behave in public is kind of parenting 101. I don’t even care if this makes me sound like a boomer, either. It’s weird for screens to be parenting kids! (Obviously there are exceptions, so don’t get all riled up in the comments over this one.)
A lack of interest in their school performance
“When the take home folder is NEVER cleaned out and permission slips are never returned,” Kristy shared.
Being engaged in your child’s education is so important to their success.
Not keeping an eye on your kids in public
Shari said: “Restaurants are not bouncy houses, Walmart or any store is not a daycare and for christ sake…put shoes of some sort on their feet.”
While kids are always going to be kids, it’s important to teach them how to respect public spaces!
Bad car safety
“Not using a baby/child car seat for a child in the car!” Joann declared.
I wish I could say people wouldn’t do this, but there truly are some out there who think they know better than everyone else and don’t care if their children are unsafe in their vehicles.
Parent-ifying your oldest child
Lori said: “Making your oldest child do everything, so that you can lay in bed all day and watch TV or talk to your friends on the phone.”
Seriously. No kid asks to be born, so don’t make it their responsibility to raise their siblings! They’re kids, too!
Sticking your kids in the middle
“Putting your kids in the middle of parental fights. Using them as leverage against the other,” Kelly said. And she’s right – adult fights, confrontations, or disagreements are not appropriate places for kids to be, and definitely not appropriate things for them to be in the middle of!
Putting yourself first
Brenda shared a story about a selfish parent she once knew. “Buying makeup and clothing for yourself and putting away kids snow boots they need to go out for recess because you don’t have enough for everything! I was with a person who did this years ago. I made sure the boy had the boots mittens and snow pants later that day. I took price tags off and cut out inside tags so she couldn’t return.”
That mom should be ashamed of herself for neglecting her child like that.
Taking your anger out on your children
“Screaming at your kid consistently because you never got therapy? Basically, emotional abuse because the parent acts more like the child than the child,” Kat said.
There is no excuse for acting like a toddler while having an actual toddler. Other outlets exist to vent your frustrations.
Screaming in public
“Your kid screaming in the shopping buggy until they get a treat,” Jenni said.
While a kid having a meltdown is pretty understandable, kids screaming until they’re rewarded is not great.
Letting them watch scary things
“Taking your toddler to see violent, scary movies. Trust me, they don’t ‘know it’s not real.’ You can watch those movies without them.”
Now why would you want to scar your kid for life like that? I’ve seen this happen myself, and it blows my mind every single time.
Comparing them to other kids
“To keep comparing your kid to another one …thats for me makes you unable to be responsible for your kid’s growth […]”
Though many people believe it to be so, life is not a competition. Comparing your kid (or yourself) to other people only does damage.
Abandoning them when they come of age
“Washing your hands of your child the day after s/he is 18. Currently couch surfing,” Victoria shared.
Your kids are your kids for life. Kicking them out only teaches them that you’re unreliable and value some vague idea of “independence” more than you do making sure they’re safe.
Not listening
“Never listens to their kids on what is the matter with them and how to fix it,” Rhianna said.
Listening to a child’s problems and teaching them how to fix them is so much better than ignoring them entirely, or even fixing all their problems for them.
Not letting them have their own lives
Kyra said, “Not letting them have their own hobbies or identities.”
Some parents think children are just extensions of them, but they’re not – they’re their own people, with interests, passions, and opinions! Let them be their own unique selves!
What are some of your parenting icks? Let us know in the comments!
