Parenting
25 Times Kids Act Like Total Jerks by Jessica Turner
Updated: June 4, 2023
The other day, my daughter hopped into the car after school, and it was as if a storm had rolled in. She started whining about everything, snapped at her little brother, and shot us all these incredibly disdainful looks. Her attitude was just not pleasant—she was acting like a total jerk.
Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions about my parenting or my child, let’s clarify: I didn’t call her a jerk; I said she was acting like one. I kept that thought to myself, even though I really wanted to voice it. Generally, she’s a great kid, which made her behavior even more maddening.
Here’s the reality: Every kid can exhibit jerk-like behavior at times. Even the most calm, sweet-natured children can turn into little monsters. Whether it’s the weather, lack of sleep, an itchy tag, or some other unexplained reason, every child has their moments. If you’re wondering if your kid has crossed into jerk territory, here’s a list of 25 classic behaviors that might indicate they are:
- Throwing a fit in the cereal aisle because we refuse to buy the sugary brand.
- Telling us they prefer the other parent over us.
- Polishing off the last cookie and leaving the empty package for us to find.
- Whining incessantly.
- Rolling their eyes dramatically.
- Refusing to take care of their own hygiene, leaving us to deal with the mess.
- Hitting their sibling with a foam sword for no reason.
- Declaring they don’t need a bathroom break before a long road trip—only to demand one as soon as we hit the highway.
- Using a toy to hit their sister.
- Calling us “the worst parent ever” when we enforce bedtime.
- Insisting on going commando during a family outing.
- Critiquing everything we do, from our driving to our choice in outfits.
- Knocking over a Lego tower we spent hours building together.
- Kicking us while sleeping in our bed, despite our kindness in letting them stay.
- Criticizing the meal we’ve worked hard on, declaring it “gross.”
- Pointing out our flaws in the most blunt ways possible.
- Ignoring our texts to see how their day is going or what they want for dinner.
- Expressing a desire for us to be more like their friends’ parents.
- Concealing their dirty laundry under their bed until the smell becomes unbearable.
- Telling blatant lies about trivial things.
- Lying about more serious matters too.
- Responding to our inquiries about their day with grunts or one-word answers.
- Choosing to hang out with friends instead of us.
- “Borrowing” our clothes—clothes they once deemed “hideous.”
- Growing up way too quickly for our liking.
So yes, kids do act like jerks—frequently, in fact. But despite all the eye-rolls and tantrums, we adore our little troublemakers. Their antics often provide us with great stories to share.
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Summary:
Kids can often display questionable behavior, from tantrums to blunt critiques. Despite these moments, they remain lovable little beings, and their antics can lead to amusing stories. Understanding these behaviors is part of navigating parenthood.