47 Embarrassing Moments When Parents Didn’t Realize How Cringey They Were

Meanwhile, clinical psychologist Barbara Greenberg, PhD, told Reader’s Digest that communicating in the right way is essential for parents. In short, how you talk with your children matters a lot.

“Toxic parents are known for not listening to their kids, but instead, talking over them or at them. If parents recognize themselves doing this, they should make a concerted effort to remain silent and listen, listen, and listen some more. If kids feel listened to, they will talk more and confide more.”

What’s more, toxic parents tend to get lost in a cycle of negative thoughts, which can lead to negative behavior in their children.

Child psychology expert Jeffrey Bernstein, PhD, advises parents who get stuck in a loop of negativity to take a step back and reframe their thoughts into more positive ones. For instance, instead of criticizing your child for behaving inappropriately, you could lead with empathy and curiosity, and wonder why they’re having such a difficult time today.

Bad parents are also often unable to manage their frustrations, criticize their kids’ friends, and label their own children as problematic, lazy, selfish, inconsiderate, etc. The latter demotivates their kids from making positive changes because it ‘locks’ them into a negative identity.

On top of that, toxic parents tend to see the world as black-and-white, take their kids’ behavior personally, compare their children to others, refuse to let their munchkins be independent, and try to be their best friend.

As Reader’s Digest points out, codependency between a parent and child is unhealthy. Parents should be parents, authoritative without becoming authoritarian, and set healthy boundaries instead of avoiding their responsibilities.

What are the most cringey, bizarre, and embarrassing things that you’ve ever seen someone’s parents say or do in real life, or post online?

How often do your own parents (still!) embarrass you? If you’re a parent yourself, have your kids ever accused you of being too cringey?

What do you think lies at the core of being the ‘cool parent’? Share your thoughts with all the other readers and us in the comments.