10 bad parenting tips that non-parents give!

10 annoying things people say to parents

Some people say the darndest things. This being the case, bad parenting conversations between parents and non-parents are inevitable.

Sometimes, it may be intentional but most of the time, non-parents don't realize that what they say isn't really helpful or encouraging.

We've asked moms to share the most annoying things non-parents say or have said to them. Click 'Next' to read them, and don't forget to leave a comment below if you've heard these too!

1. You must have no social life.

This is probably the most common perception that non-parents have about parents — that we have no social life whatsoever.

Mom blogger Millie Manahan has certainly heard this on more than one occasion.

What people with no kids fail to realize is that parents do have a very active social life — but it mostly revolves around family activities, playdates, meals and shopping time with fellow parents.

2. Why is your child speaking in English?

Since most Filipino children converse in the local vernacular (or at least, a lot of people expect them to do so), people can be surprised or even intimidated when they hear kids speak in straight English.

Moms and former teachers Donna Donor and SJ Valdez have both experienced this.

Donna even shares that people say they get a "nosebleed" from the way her son, Kib, speaks, meaning they find it too difficult to understand what he's saying.

3. Why do you have so much stuff?

Any mom would want to have everything she needs on hand whenever she goes out with her baby.

This certainly is the case for new mom Joyce Cruz. That's why she finds it annoying when non-parents ask her why she brings so much with her when she is "just” going to the mall with her son.

As the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry — and that certainly applies to the stuff we need for our kids!

4. Your poor kid!

In mom blogger May Palacpac’s case, this statement directed towards her was due to the fact that she wouldn’t allow her sons to drink soda.

If you really think about it though, are we really "depriving" our kids when we don't let them drink soft drinks and other unhealthy stuff?

5. You should teach your child how to…

Stay-at-home mom Ash Zafranco feels judged when people tell her that she should have the patience to teach things to her child.

Being less than 2 years old, her son prefers to explore the things around him, rather than sit down for a "lesson" with Mommy.

Since this is perfectly normal for a toddler, Ash feels bad when she hears comments about her "not teaching" her child.

6. You should start potty training your child, it’s easy!

Successful potty training happens when a child is ready. It isn’t something that should be rushed, and neither should we pressure parents (and their kids!) to do it.

This is why mompreneur Myra Tiquio feels annoyed at a non-parent telling her it’s time to potty train her 4-year-old.

7. Your kid doesn’t look like you at all!

Blogger Joey Tibayan-Bayan’s child looks exactly like her husband. This prompts people to tell her that the kid looks nothing at all like her.

To this, she simply responds that she wasn’t the only one responsible for the "production" of their child.

8. You must have let your kid loose in the kitchen!

Though said jokingly, this statement can be offensive towards parents whose children are on the heavy side.

Gina Abenoja, a working mom of one, has heard this several times — pertaining to her son, who just happens to be taller and bigger than other kids his age.

9. Why are you still breastfeeding?

Mom blogger Kim Reyes shares the story of when she turned down an alcoholic drink at an event because she still breastfeeds.

When asked about her child's age, she answered that her son is a year old. To this, her companion laughed at the fact that she is still breastfeeding a 1-year-old.

It would probably be good for the non-parent commenter to know though, that breastfeeding is actually recommended for babies up to two years, and even beyond.

10. I’m not going do that when I have kids.

Work-at-home mom April Custodio feels that it’s easy for people without kids to say that they will or won’t do a certain thing as a parent.

The thing is, it's easy to say such things when the situation is hypothetical.

April feels their perspectives will certainly change once they have kids of their own — and most parents would probably agree with her.

10 annoying things people have said to moms

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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Written by

Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan