Kids love their parents, sure. But the truth is that many moms & dads have a knack for doing things in public that make their kids want to crawl under the table, even though the parents usually don’t even realize it’s embarrassing. Here are 17 things that some parents do in public that could completely embarrass their kids. Which one do you think is the worst?
Yelling Pet Names At School
Most of the time, parents think nothing of calling their kid “Pumpkin” or “Snugglebug” across the school parking lot. They think it’s sweet. And it kind of is. But to the kid, it’s essentially an announcement to the entire student body that their parent still calls them by baby names. It only takes one friend hearing that cute name for the nickname to stick all semester.
Going Wild With Noise Makers
Of course, it’s natural to want to support your kid at sports games, but some parents can’t resist bringing cowbells or clappers to the game. They might even have pots and pans. Their kid’s out on the field, trying to focus, yet their mom sounds like she’s starting a parade, which is enough for all the kid’s teammates to notice. Do you really want to be the loudest parent there?
Recording Every Errand
Some parents grab their phones and film their kids doing the most normal stuff, like walking through Target or buying a smoothie, and the footage usually ends up in the family group chat. Or worse, it might make it onto social media. As you probably realize, everything on the internet is permanent, and that includes embarrassing memories. Being recorded by your mom while you’re doing something ordinary is a memory that’ll never go away.
Arguing Over Small Change
It never feels good to be overcharged by the cashier, even when it’s just over a few cents. That’s why arguing with them about it often feels like you’re standing up for principle. But to a kid, it’s a nightmare because other customers start staring and the line backs up. Suddenly, everyone in earshot knows exactly who they are. And not for the right reasons.
Wiping Faces With Spit
You just can’t beat that classic thumb-to-spit move. While you might think you’re helping your kid look neater, doing it outside practice or before heading into the store is absolutely cringeworthy for them. In fact, you can guarantee that their friends will bring it up later and tease them for it. It’s that embarrassing.
Fixing Clothes in Public Spaces
That’s not all for trying to make your kid look neat. For a child, there’s nothing worse than having a parent suddenly yank at your shirt or tug your jeans up while you’re standing in a hallway full of people. It just tells the whole world that they’re not independent. They’d much prefer their parent trusted them to manage their own outfit instead of doing it for them.
Commenting On Puberty Changes Out Loud
Many parents loudly point out how their kid’s voice is cracking or that they have new facial hair. They think nothing of it. But the truth is, puberty is already uncomfortable enough without having it broadcast in front of friends and peers, most of whom will repeat it later as a joke. The kid doesn’t know where to look. Why? Because such a comment turns something private into a public headline.
Trying to Chat With Teen Friends in Detail
Parents who treat their kid’s friends like long-lost relatives make things uncomfortable for everyone. They’ll ask about grades and dating, perhaps what’s going on at home, without a second thought. However, it normally leads to the other freezing up and not knowing what to say without looking rude. As for the kid? They’re just thinking, “Please stop.”
Cutting Food Into Small Pieces At Restaurants
To a parent, it feels harmless, but when they use a fork and knife to slice up a burger or chicken breast, especially for an older child, it’s the height of embarrassment. Friends at the table notice, and servers glance at the plate. Why is it so humiliating? Well, simply because it makes it seem as though the child isn’t able to handle basic life tasks when they most likely are.
Asking For Kiddie Haircut Extras For Teens
Many parents see their children as kids, no matter what age they are, and that’s why they’ll ask for a kids’ discount at the hair salon. Or maybe it’s just because they’re cheap. Either way, the stylist feels uncomfortable, and the other customers catch the whole exchange. They’d like to just pay the difference and get on with their day, instead of being treated like a preschooler.
Forcing Public Affection
Sure, a quick hug is fine. But parents who demand kisses or long hugs in front of classmates almost immediately make things awkward. It’s a particular problem when it happens at school doors or outside gyms because their friends are definitely watching. It’s meant as love. But really, the kid feels like they’re being treated as much younger than they are, and they won’t forget that.
Waving Way Too Hard At Drop-Off
It’s not just physical contact that’s embarrassing, though. A subtle goodbye is one thing, but some parents wave with both arms and shout their kid’s name. They might even keep waving long after the kid’s inside. Honestly, what makes this so cringy is that the kid usually wants to slip in quietly to school, yet now their parent has made it a spectacle.
Overdressing For Casual Events
The majority of kids know the dress code for school carnivals or family nights. Not every parent does. Sometimes, they’ll show up in over-the-top outfits, like formal wear or full team gear, something that commands attention. It’s enough to make everyone look at them before the event even starts. Now, the kid is stuck next to someone who’s way outside the norm. Ouch.
Talking About Dating Rules in Front of Crushes
It’s awkward enough when you’re standing near the person you like and you don’t know what to say. It’s even more awkward when you hear your mom or dad mention how you’re “not allowed to date yet” or something similar. There’s no way to recover from that. As soon as someone says this, the kid feels stripped of any chance at being seen as mature. Now they’re just a kid again.
Arranging a Surprise Restaurant Birthday Song
Oh, the dreaded birthday ambush. This involves parents telling the server it’s their kid’s birthday without warning, so suddenly there’s a dessert and a candle, along with a group of singing staff. The entire restaurant claps along, and phones come out to record. But the kid can’t stop it because the plate is already at the table. They’re just left wishing the ground would swallow them up.
Loudly Bargaining at Flea Markets
At flea markets or street fairs, some parents will haggle over a couple of dollars. And they’ll do it rather loudly. It’s enough to make other shoppers stop to watch, while the kid stands by, hoping that their parent will just agree to the price already. The embarrassment doubles when friends happen to walk past.
Overloading Plates At Buffets
Buffets become a nightmare when a parent stacks plates to the brim and walks back, balancing towers of food. Yes, they might feel like they’re getting their money’s worth. But at the expense of making other diners stare and servers weave around them. Most kids would like their parents to be a little more subtle with their food choices.
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