Pics That Prove Parenting Is No Cakewalk
Being a parent is a lot of hard work. Nobody really talks about the real ins and outs of raising a human being. We all know that you don't get much sleep once you become a parent, but did you know that having kids also means dealing with some of the silliest and most absurd issues you've ever encountered in your life?
Keep reading to see the strange side of parenting and all of the weird things that those of us with kids have to cope with on a daily basis.
There Are Rules About Short Shorts
![ThisAccountWasMadeAtExactlyMidnight Imgur dad in shorts with daughter wal mart](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ThisAccountWasMadeAtExactlyMidnight-Imgur-48516.jpg?width=800&height=906)
This father caught his daughter cutting her jeans into short shorts, so he decided to teach her a lesson by wearing some short shorts of his own around their local Walmart.
Tony Hawk Is In The Parenting Game
![tonyhawk Instagram tonyhawk Instagram painted nails with daughter](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tonyhawk-Instagram-58519.jpg?width=800&height=533)
Clearly, Tony Hawk has what it takes to be a parent. He understands that sometimes you have to let your daughter paint your nails purple. That girl doesn't care that her dad is the most famous skateboarder in the world. She just needs him to have purple nails.
The Secret Stash
![spideygirl Imgur snickers in edemame bag](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/spideygirl-Imgur-90035.jpg?width=800&height=533)
This mom has taken hiding candy from her kids to the next level. This is actually a pretty brilliant idea. I think I might have to try this the next time I splurge on a bag of mini Snickers.
Sleeping On The Table
![keyary Imgur girl sleeping on table](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/keyary-Imgur-42707.jpg?width=800&height=533)
This girl seems to think that the coffee table in the middle of the living room is the perfect place to take a short nap. That doesn't look all that comfortable.
Stuck In The Vent
![yatenate Reddit kid stuck in vent](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yatenate-Reddit-88167.jpg?width=800&height=533)
This kid took the cover off of the air vent, crawled into it, and then cried when he got stuck. Well, what did you think was going to happen, buddy?
Swallowing Coins
![Stumedatusername Reddit chest xray](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Stumedatusername-Reddit-51252.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=329&left=0&zoom=1.25)
This kid swallowed a penny while he was showing his brother how he swallowed a key the day before. I wonder how much this trip to the doctor cost in medical bills.
He Has A Whole Pool
![kirktucci Reddit kid in bucket next to pool](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kirktucci-Reddit-22450.jpg?width=800&height=533)
These parents got their kid an entire above-ground pool, but he prefers to sit in a bucket half full of water. Do you think they can still return the pool?
She Broke It
![ProfDallinHoax Reddit kid next to broken tv](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ProfDallinHoax-Reddit-13157.jpg?width=800&height=1068)
This girl threw a toy at the TV and now it's broken. So now she's pointing at it and telling everyone who walks by that the TV doesn't work anymore.
Kids Will Be Kids
![PhordPrefect Reddit kids playing on monument](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PhordPrefect-Reddit-24356.jpg?width=800&height=533)
This sign is asking people very nicely not to climb on the monument out of respect, but of course, kids have no respect. Sometimes parents just have to pick their battles.
No Muffins Left
![IrfanMirza reddit2 kid crying](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IrfanMirza-reddit2-20016.jpg?width=800&height=960)
This kid is crying because someone ate his muffins. Spoiler alert: it was him. He is crying because he ate all of his own muffins. Yeah, kids are really weird.
That's Impossible
![IrfanMirza Reddit kid crying](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IrfanMirza-Reddit-93263.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=67&left=0&zoom=1.25)
Yes, this is the same kid from the previous picture. Now he's crying because he can't get on a bus that's on television. Sorry kid, televisions don't work that way.
He Got Stuck
![ftjaMILK Reddit kid's pants caught on cupboard](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ftjaMILK-Reddit-95847.jpg?width=800&height=800)
This kid jumped up on the counter to wash his hands, but then his pants got stuck on the cabinet handle. He had to wait there until his dad could help him get down.
Duct-Taped To A Chair
![EthanLond11 Reddit kid duct taped to chair](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EthanLond11-Reddit-91068.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=252&left=0&zoom=1.25)
This kid's older brothers were organizing their Pokémon cards on the ground and he kept getting in the way, so they decided to duct-tape him to a chair. It was a good short-term solution.
No Swimming Today
![BadChineseAccent Reddit kid lying on beach](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BadChineseAccent-Reddit-68383.jpg?width=800&height=978)
This kid is protesting because his parents won't let him swim in the freezing cold ocean. One day when he's older, he'll understand. For now, this is what a toddler protest looks like.
She's Fine
![1Wineodino Reddit girl on stretcher with bench](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1Wineodino-Reddit-95176.jpg?width=800&height=1068)
This girl got her fingers stuck in a bench while she was at school, so paramedics had to cut the bench off of the ground and take it with her to the emergency room.
No Chemicals For You
![DilligentCrab Reddit girl crying](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DilligentCrab-Reddit-62386.jpg?width=800&height=838)
This girl is crying because her mom won't let her drink the chemicals that are stored under the sink. One day when she gets older, she'll thank her mom for this.
The Emo Phase
![fortheloveofvoltron Reddit girl with label on head](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fortheloveofvoltron-Reddit-48307.jpg?width=800&height=533)
This girl was going through her emo phase around the same time that she got a label maker. That's where this photo came from. Yes, that does say, "don't ladel me."
He Got The Old Maid
![farole2424 Reddit kid crying old maid](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/farole2424-Reddit-54290.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=69&left=0&zoom=1.25)
Ah, the old "hold the Old Maid card higher than the rest of the cards" trick. This kid falls for it every single time. You think he would learn by now.
Yes, That's Ketchup
![@_fraukoehler_ Instagram kid covered in ketchup](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/@_fraukoehler_-Instagram-71350.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=183&left=0&zoom=1)
Don't worry, this kid isn't profusely bleeding from her face. She just got into the fridge and dumped an entire bottle of ketchup onto her head. Kids are really weird.
Don't Walk On The Window
![@immy.george.and.me Instagram kid climbing on windowsil](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/@immy.george.and_.me-Instagram-44042.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=114&left=0&zoom=1)
How many times do you think this girl has been told not to walk on the window sill? It's been at least a hundred times. Does she listen? Absolutely not.
Sunscreen On A Rock
![DatGunBoi Reddit rock covered in sunscreen](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DatGunBoi-Reddit-97421.jpg?width=800&height=533)
This kid put sunscreen on a rock because she didn't want the rock to get sunburned. Well, at least she's learning something about sun safety. Mom's going to have to get some more sunscreen now, though.
What Parenting Feels Like
![fourg Reddit baby and dad screaming](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fourg-Reddit-78257.jpg?width=800&height=1077)
If we had to summarize parenting in one image, this would be it. The baby's screaming, dad is screaming, nobody is getting any sleep, and nobody knows when the screaming is going to be over.
The Get Along Shirt
![happydinosaur Reddit 2 kids in get along shirt](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/happydinosaur-Reddit-99577.jpg?width=800&height=1079)
These two kids have been fighting, so their mom decided to put them in the "get along" shirt. This actually seems like a great parenting tactic. I kind of wish we could use this for adults too.
Hide And Seek
![smazarpay Reddit kid hiding in clear plastic container](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/smazarpay-Reddit-75740.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=74&left=0&zoom=1.25)
This kid found the perfect hiding place while playing hide and seek. The only problem is that the bucket he's hiding in is totally transparent. He hasn't figured that out yet.
Carrots Everywhere
![tinsilprincess Reddit kid put carrots all over kitchen](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tinsilprincess-Reddit-55435.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=342&left=0&zoom=1.25)
This kid placed a single carrot on all of the drawer handles in his kitchen. He looks like he's really proud of himself now that his mission has been completed.
He Fed The Cat
![KittyKanuckles Reddit cat next to orange in bowl](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KittyKanuckles-Reddit-37508.jpg?width=800&height=800)
This mom asked her toddler to feed the cat and this was the result. Sorry, kid, cats can't peel or eat oranges. The cat food is literally right next to the bowl.
A New Door
![stepuptoredalert Reddit kid hiding behind glass door](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/stepuptoredalert-Reddit-57835.jpg?width=800&height=533)
This mom installed some new doors in her house that have glass panels in them. This kid used to have a favorite hiding spot, but this trick doesn't work as well as it used to.
Painting The Fence
![talynmitchell23 Reddit kid painting fence with water](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/talynmitchell23-Reddit-54117.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=189&left=0&zoom=1)
Here's a great parenting tactic: get your kid a bucket of water and a paintbrush and have them "paint" the fence. This activity will keep a toddler busy for at least 10 minutes.
Scared Of The Troll
![dipdipperson Reddit kid drawing](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dipdipperson-Reddit-38928.jpg?width=800&height=1066)
This little girl painted what she called "a troll," but then she got scared of it and started crying and made her uncle take it away. She scared herself with her own painting.
Evidence Of A Toddler
![Heyo_meyo91 Reddit bite taken out of fake apple](https://www.dadpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Heyo_meyo91-Reddit-27832.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=93&left=0&zoom=1.25)
It definitely looks like a toddler was walking through this craft store when he saw a fake apple. Then he took a bite out of it and put it back on the shelf.