We’ve all probably seen pictures of perfect parents with their perfect kids on social media. But if you have children, you definitely know that it’s just a ruse, to make their reality look better than it actually is. No, parenthood doesn’t smell like roses, but the joy and love that our kids share with us is worth everything. So don’t get upset about colored walls, damaged clothes, and spilled flour.
Smalljoys has collected photos depicting parents’ unvarnished lives with their restless kids.
“Parenting tiny humans summed up in one photo.”
Anything that can get stuck in hair will definitely get stuck in hair.
View this post on InstagramFucking kids slime…. #mumlife . . . #momlife #kids #averageparentproblems
A post shared by wasabi_peanut (@wasabi_peanut) on
Because babies have their own beauty standards.
And fashion trends.
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And their clothes literally burn.
Sometimes you even want to buy a device that can slow down your child.
And you know you’re a bad parent because you won’t let them take their scooter to bed with them.
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You’re also a bad parent because you wouldn’t let them eat a lollipop after it dropped on the floor right next to a crusty piece of mud from outside.
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Never lose your vigilance.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Annie (@oldkidsbooks) on
This mom has just bathed and changed her baby’s clothes. Guess what happens next?
If a child finds markers, they color all the walls.
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…and themselves.
Your baby will start crying if their dad asks them to use a fork.
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They’ll definitely like the taste of your lipstick.
View this post on InstagramWhen you think you've got everything under control. #undercontrol #lipstick #averageparentproblems
A post shared by Alena Spirtovic (@tchernica) on
And you’ll have to clean your sofa.
View this post on InstagramTips for getting long wear lipstick out of your couch? ???
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If they don’t eat, they definitely try.
You can hide flour as many times as you want, they’ll find it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoIFYTOgWuP
…as well as mom’s underwear.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOpuX7hVsN
They’ll make a mess.
“Put things where toddlers can’t reach them,” they said…
View this post on InstagramPut things where toddlers can’t reach them they say. #averageparentproblems #hes2 #Sawyer
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When your child cleans their room:
Sometimes you just want to take a photo. But you get this:
Or this:
Mom: “You’re so cute! Let me take a pic of you!”
Son:
They don’t really like each other.
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But sometimes everything changes.
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When a child gets too big for a stroller, they start using shopping carts.
View this post on InstagramBest idea or worse idea?? #averageparentproblems #whosekidisthat #costco
A post shared by Jessica Johnson (@jessicalynjohnson) on
No personal space
View this post on InstagramHow is a girl supposed to get ready? #averageparentproblems #lifewithvelociraptors #mommylife
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When you say it’s time to go to bed:
Really, why would you lay in your room with lullabies for a nap when you could lay on an economy pack of paper towels?
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They don’t need a sofa either.
When you try to put your kids to bed:
View this post on InstagramHey hun, lets put the kids to bed so we can enjoy some time together….#nekminnit ?♀️
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Sometimes they aren’t satisfied.
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And they literally stand on our heads.
You still love them to the Moon and back and they love you too.
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