25 Of The Worst Parenting Choices Moms And Dads Are Making Right Now (With No End In Sight)

It's always important for your child to be pursuing a hobby. That's the best way for kids to make friends (and for you to meet new people, too.) However, packing their schedules and expecting them to be perfect is almost like you're asking for an eventual meltdown. What's so bad with listening to your kids, and figuring out where their true interests lie?

Redditor DG4z noted that this, in particular, was a pet peeve. But still, it's something that happens all the time. "I get empowering children by giving them a voice in decision-making and the freedom to speak their minds, but general social norms would be nice," the commenter wrote. "Listening to 8-year-olds throw fits in public and being rude to family and strangers (at top volume) is not endearing in any way."

When you talk to kids, you need to treat them like people. You shouldn't talk down to them because they're younger, or pretend that their thoughts are silly and just don't matter. If you want to create a well-rounded adult, you'll teach kids that they matter and they make a difference. Make them feel heard.

Your kid shouldn't expect to know everything about you. But by keeping secrets, it's almost like you're living a double life. Let me honestly say why this method isn't all that great. You never know what may happen. A tragedy can strike, and you'll leave your kids never knowing the real you. Consider sharing more — they don't need to know the details about your past relationships, but it'd be nice if they knew your favorite book or favorite song.

It's really hard not to buy your kids all the things they want, if you have the means to do so. But by resisting, and saying no, they'll learn that they can't get everything they want in life. "My sister in law tried this," Redditor ImFriendsWithThatGuy said. "Wouldn't let anyone tell her first kid 'no.' By time she had her second kid and the first one was 2 and a half, she was thanking me for telling the first kid 'no' when he was doing things wrong. He is 3 and a half now, never leaves his mom's side, complains and screams about everything."

It has become really dangerous to seek medical advice over the internet. The people you're talking to likely haven't had any training on the topic — and if they did, they wouldn't be offering it up to strangers on the internet for free. Parents need to read up on the importance of vaccinations, and also go to doctors they trust when their children are sick. Their next door neighbor might have advice on how they cured the issue 15 years ago, but their advice might cause a lot of harm — or even death.

It's slightly embarrassing to see parents lose it at a child's soccer game, but it happens all the time. Parents, remember that your child will be affected by your meltdown the most. Also, keep in mind that it's only a game. There's a good chance that there aren't any soccer recruiters at your third grader's tournament — but even if there were, surely a parent losing their cool is something they'd want to stay away from. Just be happy that your kid is having fun.

Even if you, yourself, still don't feel like an adult, you should act like one. "It's a common notion that a parent who allows their teen to drink and do drugs and party is a 'cool' parent, but really it's a parent's job to protect their child, not encourage them to go out and try new things," said Redditor leadabae.

Every kid out there is different. Even if you're a wonderful artist, it doesn't mean that your child will have those same gifts. By comparing kids to others in the class, you're putting both you and your child in an awkward position. They might not want to befriend the kid in question if they know you're constantly going to compare them.

This happens more often than you think. In fact, it's possible you're a victim to this. Emotions are natural, and it's important for everyone to learn how to handle theirs. That might lead to some embarrassing outbursts at the time, but those will be something you'll forget. Having a 30-year-old who fears conflict based on getting punished for being upset as a child is a much bigger concern.

It might help solve the issue during the moment, but trying to scare your child into doing something will come at a heavy price. An example that Redditor hole_da_door used is, "If you don't get to sleep, you will die! Child proceeds to have trouble sleeping because they're scared of dying for not sleeping." 

They might not have to pay bills, but they still go through a lot of things that are important. They could have a bad day, or get a bad grade, or get in a fight with a friend. Their issues may be easier to solve, but that's no reason to deny they exist. Never try to get into a "who had it harder" fight with your kid, since they'll end up resenting you.

Kids won't take you seriously if you blatantly do the things you're telling them not to do. It's hard to be a model citizen, but for the sake of your child, you should at least try. Cut out the bad or destructive habits when they're too young to remember, and remind yourself that you're doing it for them.

Moms, you may have given birth to them. And sure, there's a lot of your genetics at play, but they're their own person with their own style. "Up until 9th grade my mom wouldn’t let me cut my hair/change its style because she saw it as her hair," Redditor SeattCat said. "Her logic: I came from her body, so my body is an extension of her body. Therefore, my hair is her hair. It was creepy and it looked terrible." Pointing out your constant similarities on social media is also tough, as that'll probably still be around when they're old enough to have an account.

Everyone makes mistakes — it's all part of life. So if you find yourself uttering, "my child would never," you may want to sit down for this. Even if your child is a wonderful soul, there's always the possibility that your little darling got in trouble. It doesn't mean the child is ruined forever, or a terrible kid — he just learned a life lesson by temporarily making the wrong choice.

Back when you were a kid, you probably thought your parents were invincible. Instead, they were probably just faking it. As adults, we need to make sure our children have the confidence in themselves to solve any problem. We also need to make them feel like we're in control of what's happening in the world. Otherwise, we'll raise fearful kids.

You might not be big into hugs and kisses, but that's what some kids need to feel like you love them.  Redditor waterlilyrm responded to ksozay's post with a real-life example of what withholding love can do. "Neither of my parents were affectionate people, well, they still aren't, I suppose," the Redditor wrote. "My ex-husband was even worse. It messed me up, so I find myself being a little startled when my BF just pulls me in for a hug when I'm not expecting it. But, I love it and I'm much better at giving affection because it's pretty great. Sad that I had to live for so many years before I learned that."

Parents will always worry, no matter what. For me, I keep a strong eye on my toddler when we're taking walks around the block, knowing that it'll only take one butterfly across the road for her to run into the street. (At least, that's what keep replaying in my mind.) As parents, we'll always have a child's best interests at heart. But by drowning out their desires with negative possibilities, you're doing more harm than good.

An anonymous poster on Reddit shared a story regarding half-eaten apples. "In a grocery store, and I see a probably 5-year-old walk across the apple display, taking a bite out each apple on the bottom row, look around, then place the apple back with the bite out of view," they wrote. "I stood there with my jaw dropped, waiting for her parents to do something. Finally, the woman saw me, looked at the kid and said 'gasp Mija, no!!' and promptly turned around and continued to let her do it." Stealing grapes may be bad, but taking a bite out of each apple is definitely worse.

When you refuse to acknowledge your child's behavior in public, you're ruining things for everyone. Parents need to forget about their cellphones when kids are getting rowdy and they need to discipline them. That's the only way they'll learn, and the community will be pretty thankful. They didn't ask for this gig.

There's no reason that anyone should ever abuse their child. Spanking is out of style these days, and for good reason. That said, this one mom got physical with their child for what they thought was a "mistake" at McDonald's. Turns out, the kid was in the right. Regardless, being so quick to raise your hand at a child is a cause for alarm.

Here's a particularly weird situation. This one mom felt like the best way to discipline their child in public was to sit on them. Huh?

If you want to figure out whether or not your decision is right, just think — if your mom did that to you, would it cause more harm or actually teach you a lesson? Probably the former.

"A little girl walking with her Dad stopped to rummage through some dandelions," one Redditor said. "The dad kept walking while she yelled at him to wait. She picked a dandelion and ran over to him to give it to him. He tossed it to the side and told her to 'stop f***ing around.'" The poor kid thought she was just doing something nice.

Parents, try hard to embrace these sweet moments. They won't last forever.

After a bad day, sometimes it's hard not to be negative. However, if your child hears you badmouthing someone, they'll think it's perfectly acceptable. Try your hardest to see the positive in everyone and everything. That is, until your kid goes to sleep and you're able to vent to your partner or friends about it.

Kids can be gross sometimes. Even adults can be gross. But anything involving licking and fast food counters should be reprimanded when it happens. It's unsafe for both the child and the business. Plus, when parents don't address these behaviors, they become normalized.