"The idea behind Why My Kid is Crying is mostly because kids are exhausting. They cry for the silliest reasons," the curator of the Facebook page, Amy, opened up to Bored Panda, adding that having a community you can open up to can help you get through the harder days.
"Kids can definitely be unpredictable and it's important to find humor in the chaos. Our Why My Kid is Crying page is a great way to connect with other parents who can relate to the challenges of raising kids," the mom said.
Amy said that she and her best friend, Erin, had their sons 3 days apart and that eventually became the inspiration for the entire page. "We would just share the funny stories with each other about our kids and why they were crying. So we thought other parents must be going through the same thing. We both started the page together as an outlet to just share and connect with other parents and just laugh together."
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The co-founder of the page agreed that parenting is definitely exhausting. "It's definitely not easy, but remember to take care of yourself too. Self-care is important and it's okay to ask for help when you need it," she told parents everywhere that they need to remember their own needs as well. You can't focus on everyone else at your own expense all the time.
"Don't forget to take breaks and spend some time doing things you enjoy. I was once told when I became a new mom, 'The days are long but the years are short.' And if that's not the truest thing ever," she said.
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Bored Panda was also curious about what parents could do when the waterworks start. The co-founder of 'Why My Kid Is Crying' shared a few useful tips (and we hope you're all taking notes, dear Pandas).
"It depends on the situation, but sometimes all you can do is comfort them and let them know that it's okay to cry. Other times, a little distraction can help," the mom offered some advice.
"Sometimes you just have to laugh through it because they're upset you used the red bowl but they actually wanted the blue one. But it's always important to remember they are little kids with big emotions just trying to learn how to deal with them and looking to you for guidance," Amy said.
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Probably the best way to deal with stress as a parent is to look at the types of temper tantrums featured in this list from a different perspective. Try to see the comedy in the entire situation, even if, in the moment, you’re feeling frustrated and confused. Sharing moments like this with your family, friends, and random internet strangers, can help you focus on the humor.
Another secret to staying sane as a parent is to learn to ask for help. You’re a parent, but you’re not just a parent: no matter how family-oriented you might be, you’re a human being who has other needs and ambitions. So if you feel like you’re losing the plot a little bit (read: going insane from picking up the Lego for the twelfth time that week), ask your partner for a breather.
Take a few hours or half a day off to be with yourself. Go on a hike. Do some exercise. Paint or read or write in silence. Or just book a hotel room, take a nice long bath, and get some well-deserved sleep. If you both need some time off together, get your relatives or pals to babysit for a little while. You shouldn’t feel guilty about needing to recharge.
In our experience, there are a few straightforward ways to deal with tears. If your kid is bawling like it’s the end of the world, you could try to distract them or make them laugh. It’s hard to be upset when you’re giggling or looking at a cute doggo. However, keep in mind that distracting someone a child from their emotions might not be good for them in the long run, so use that tactic sparingly. Something else that works equally well is simply… embracing the situation. Accept the fact that your child is upset, but don’t feel like you need to put on a performance every time there’s a tear over ridiculous stuff.
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Be there for your child, support them, hear them out, but you don’t necessarily need to try and solve the problem. Because, sometimes, there’s no problem to be solved either way—your lil’ munchkin might simply be upset that you’ve set boundaries or stopped them from doing something dangerous.
Other times, your child might be tired, hungry, hurt, ill, overwhelmed, or confused. Just like we all feel, from time to time. Hug them, give them a snack, go for a walk, read a book together, find some other fun activity, or simply take a nap. Give it some time and they’ll be bright and cheerful again. Tears are a part of life, and it’s perfectly fine to be sad from time to time. Even if it is about pancakes being ‘too spicy.’
