Things You Should Not Say to a Parent in 2020

1 "Your Kids Spend Too Much Time on Screens"

There's no need to state the obvious. No parent is proud of the fact that their kid spends hours each day staring at a screen, but it's called survival. Kids are happy when watching television or playing on an iPad, which means mom and dad can actually get something done.

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2 "Something Has to Give — You Can’t Do It All"

Image Source: ABC via Giphy

Parents are under a lot of pressure right now. Most understand the number of responsibilities on their plate is unreasonable, but they don't really have a choice. Instead of trying to convince them they're not up for the challenge, give them the support they need to keep up the great work.

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3 "I’ve Accomplished More This Year Than Ever"

Image Source: NBC via Giphy

You've used your quarantine to write a novel, paint your house and organise your kitchen. That's great, but productivity for parents of young kids right now is more along the lines of remembering to shower. Tout your accomplishments if you dare, but expect serious side eye.

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4 "Well, You Chose to Have Children"

Image Source: CBS via Giphy

Yeah, parents are really stressed right now, and they're complaining a lot. No one signed up for raising kids in quarantine, so shaming them for feeling overwhelmed is seriously insensitive. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

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5 "You’re Being Paranoid"

Image Source: Universal Pictures via Giphy

When it comes down to it, no one really knows anything in 2020. You might think an overly cautious parent is being paranoid, just as they think you're being reckless. They won't change your mind, just as you won't change theirs.

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6 "Your Kids Need to Socialise More"

Image Source: NBC via Giphy

Socialising has become a heated topic in 2020. You're entitled to believe an outdoor playdate with a few friends is fine, just as the parent in question has the right to quarantine their kids away from non-household members.

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7 "Your House is a Mess"

Image Source: NBC via Giphy

Quarantine means kids are home all the time, so many exhausted parents have put tidying up on the back burner — as in it will happen sometime in 2021. They know their house is a mess, so unless you're volunteering to clean it for them, keep your comments to yourself.

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8 "Your Kids Are Going to Fall Behind"

Image Source: FOX via Giphy

Parents want what's best for their kids, any many are concerned the pandemic will have a negative impact on their learning. Driving this fear home will only make them second-guess their decisions and feel more helpless in a time they need all the support they can get.

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9 "Your Kids Need More Structure"

Image Source: Netflix via Giphy

Obviously, life is not normal for kids right now. Parents are doing the best they can to maintain a sense of normalcy in a year that is anything but normal. Don't make them question themselves any more than they already are.

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