It’s gotta be tough being a parent and finding the right balance between nurturing your child in the way they should go and staying hands off enough to give them their own life and independence.
Where exactly does that line lie? I wouldn’t presume to say, not least of all because I’m not a parent.
But it’s definitely still the topic of a lot of heated discussion, especially on the internet, and ESPECIALLY when stirred on by real, anonymous confessions like the ones in this collection from parents who couldn’t help but get maybe just a little too involved.
20. Spooky business
I don’t know how to tell you this, but kids cry all the time. I don’t think I’d put “ghosts” at the top of the probable causes.
19. Get that money
Well, we know what her current fantasy is.
18. “Routinely checking”
Good job, you’ve completely ruined this for him.
17. Follow, protect
Ok but how old is your daughter, though?
16. Reading up
A) you probably were
B) stop snoopin’
15. Plus
So she’s open with you, but that’s not enough?
14. Hackermom
If he finds out about this he’ll be mortified.
13. Surprise reading
Welp. Not sure what to do with that information.
12. Cheater, cheater
When they’re grown but still misbehaving.
11. Warning signs
Maybe you can bring it up without revealing this.
10. The cheat
Seems like you should at the very least confront her about it, no?
9. Cut it out
That’s a very tough spot. I would consult a psychologist.
8. Drama alert
It’s hard to tell sometimes when kids mean it and when they’re just caught up in the heat.
7. Stalking
Maybe he shouldn’t be on Instagram, then.
6. In the end
It’s good that progress is being made.
5. If ya don’t know, now ya know
I’m sure he’ll come out when he feels ready.
4. Know your enemy
Raise up a child in the way they should go.
3. They/them
Kids today have whole new worlds of possibility available to them.
2. Heart shattered
This is some stuff right out of a Hallmark movie.
1. I didn’t know
I can’t imagine living with that.
Honestly, I don’t envy parents at all. It seems like a really tough job, and knowing exactly how to handle it day to day has got to be impossible.
What do you think of where the line lies?
Tell us in the comments.