The month is drawing to a close, but we couldn’t let July pass without acknowledging moms and dads that survived yet another few weeks of dealing with one too many wildings each day, every day. It’s time for Bored Panda’s newest collection of the wittiest tweets from parents who have a real knack for finding humor in the entertaining antics of their kids.
After all, raising children is one wild adventure in itself, isn’t it? Whether you’re up to your ears in diapers and dirty onesies or doing your best to navigate the emotions and attitudes of a tween, there’s hardly a dull moment. And it’s no secret that kids’ little brains work in mysterious ways, so what else can a confused 21-century parent do other than commiserate with fellow adults online? Not much, as near as we can tell.
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We’ve gone through Twitter and rounded up some of the best ups, downs, and a whole lot of hilarious in-betweens about parenting this July to share with you all. Sit down, grab a cup of tea or a big glass of wine and enjoy laughing through this list. Keep reading to also find an interview with a family blogger from Brisbane, Australia, Holly Connors. Be sure to upvote your favorite entries and let us know all about your reality of being a parent in the comments!
Psst! After you’re done with this list, there’s plenty more to chuckle at in our earlier pieces from June, May, and April.
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Image credits: mollymcnearney
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Let’s face it, becoming a parent is a life-altering experience. From your sense of fashion to your perception of time, practically everything changes once you welcome this little bundle of joy into the world. After all, you’re suddenly responsible for raising a little—sometimes lovely, other times overwhelmingly demanding—person into becoming a decent and kind human being.
Nothing truly prepares you for parenthood, but you try your best. You read stacks of books, sign up for classes, seek advice, and try to gather as much knowledge to get ready for this highly challenging, yet equally fulfilling journey. But constantly finding yourself in the midst of unexpected surprises can easily throw you off guard. When all else fails, it can be comforting to know you can at least turn to Twitter where parents will understand what you go through and, usually, won’t judge.
Many parents try to see the twists and turns that inevitably come with parenthood in a humorous way. Because if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry, right? With the digital world at our fingertips, it’s never been easier to identify with fellow moms and dads about the struggles you face. Amidst the chaos of daily family life, who among you hasn’t caved to the lure of the mindless scroll? But while it may help you unwind in the moment, social media and the internet is also making parenting more difficult in several ways.
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To learn more about the challenges parents face today, we reached out to a lifestyle blogger and a working mom of two energetic girls, Holly Connors. After dedicating a decade to building her career in psychology, Holly is now the author of the acclaimed site Simplify Create Inspire where she helps families make their lives a bit easier. “Living in a time when information is immediately accessible can be both a blessing and a curse for parents,” she told Bored Panda.
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“On one hand, we (and our kids) can quickly find answers to practically anything in an instant,” Holly added. In fact, a 2015 survey from Pew Research Center found that many parents have extensive support networks where they turn for advice about any questions they may have. Apparently, 43% of moms and 23% of dads turn to parent websites for suggestions on how best to raise their children, occasionally using social media or online message boards for the same reason.
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On the other hand, the online world is also the breeding ground for parent shaming. Sometimes, the posts and comments people stumble upon online can make them feel like they lack parenting skills, especially if their homes aren’t squeaky clean or if their children eat anything but home-cooked organic meals. Moms and dads have myriads of expectations piled up upon them, and it can take a toll to constantly be reminded of all the ways they’re doing things wrong.
Parenting blogger Holly agrees. “We are bombarded with a constant stream of advice and opinions from experts, relatives, and friends. In the same way, kids are now more connected to their peers and exposed to more media than ever before, which certainly has us facing conflicts, questions and vulnerabilities.” She added that having great communication with your children will have a big impact when it comes to raising happy, healthy and well-adjusted kids.
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When asked about the impact of this technological age on parents, Holly explained there are a few different ways to look at this matter. Naturally, it is extremely beneficial to overwhelmed parents who look for reassurance in other people’s experiences. “Technology allows us to connect with others who we may never have otherwise connected with, with distance and location no longer being a barrier.”
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Holly added that the digital world can be wonderful for finding your own unique community, as well as finding friends who can relate to your personal struggles and the motherhood experience. “In this way, technology is an incredible tool for navigating motherhood.”
“For me personally, some of my closest friendships have flourished thanks to technology, despite the distance between us. To find a community of like-minded people that lift you up and make you feel supported is something special that every single mother deserves.”
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However, the internet can also make people more isolated and disconnected if these interactions feel superficial without the in-person connection everyone needs, she argued. “When we’re constantly scrolling through our feeds and seeing pictures of seemingly perfect families and children, it’s easy to start feeling like we’re not good enough. We have to remember that these are just snapshots of people’s lives and not the full story.”
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When parents encounter carefully choreographed and curated pictures on social media of others “winning” at parenthood, it may lead to feeling guilt. The danger of falling for these images is that parents will aim for perfection (which doesn’t exist!) and will stop cutting themselves any slack. For example, psychologist Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco, Ph.D. explained on Parents that moms who engage in social media comparison feel more overwhelmed and less competent as parents. Moreover, they can even feel more depressed than mothers who don’t put themselves in contrast to others.
“If you are jealous of another woman’s seemingly perfect #momlife, consider what areas of your life are enviable,” the psychologist wrote. “The truth is that there are so many different areas in which moms can excel, due to their talents or interests or circumstances (or all of the above). Usually, most moms will excel in a few different areas, but no one will excel in all of them. It’s important to recognize that you can play to your strengths, and other moms can play to theirs, and it doesn’t mean that any of you are better or worse mothers.”
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If you feel pressured to be flawless, Holly asked you to remember that there is no such thing as a perfect parent. “We are all just doing the best we can with the resources we have. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others, but at the end of the day, we need to focus on what works for us and our families. Trust your gut instinct and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. We are all in this together!”
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The blogger pointed out that we sometimes see parenting as grueling work and forget how incredibly rewarding this journey can be. “Seeing your children grow and develop into their own unique individuals is one of the most special things in the world. Cherish these moments, even when they are challenging, because they will be gone before you know it.”
“Lastly, don’t forget to take care of yourself! As mothers, we often put our own needs last, but it is so important to take care of ourselves both physically and mentally. When we are happy and healthy, we are better able to show up for our families in the ways that we want to,” Holly concluded.
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Source: boredpanda.com