20 Photos That Show What Parenting REALLY Looks Like

We've all seen the perfect families on the front of parenting magazines, but those don't really reflect what parenting is like. Neither do those nice family photos you see hanging on people's walls. Here are some photos that show what really goes on in a parent's life.

1. There is no privacy, not even in the bathroom

Trying to go to the bathroom with a toddler be like... #toddlersbelike #toddlers #motherhood #noprivacywithkids @sdjohnbwoy

A photo posted by jennifer (@cali_jennifer) on Feb 24, 2015 at 7:02pm PST

2. The kids cry a lot, often for no reason

"I wanted to put his used nappy in the bin."
Submitted By: Laura M.
Location: United Kingdom

Posted by Reasons My Son Is Crying on Thursday, May 7, 2015

3. There are some big messes

View post on imgur.com

Paint me like one of your French girls. #ThisPaintsMeToTellYou #ThatsNotHowStatuesAreMade #NoPaintNoGain photo from @adventures_of_anistyn brought to @kidsaretheworst #kidsaretheworst

A photo posted by Anna Macfarlane, @ahhnnab (@kidsaretheworst) on Jul 10, 2015 at 10:14pm PDT

4. The parent is not allowed to have anything without someone begging for it

When Mommy won't let you drink her adult beverage. #tearsofacalvin #notafan #cryingbaby #babyhumor #funnybaby #funnybabies #momsbelike #assholeparents #funnykid #parentingfail #parentingfails #babyfail #babyfails #cryingbaby #daysofourshittylives #sadbaby #foreveralone #crazybaby #assholeparent #instacute #drunkbaby #Babiesbelike #drinkresponsibly #babystagram #babiesofinstagram #babylife #mommylife #babyproblems

A photo posted by Ryan McCulloch (@tearsofacalvin) on Jul 30, 2015 at 7:44pm PDT

5. There's a fair share of multitasking

It's like the old saying goes: You can pick your friends, You can pick your nose, But you can't pick your friend's nose. Oh wait. I guess family doesn't count. #WhoShouldBeMoreGrossedOut ? photo thanks to @chalynreed #kidsaretheworst

A photo posted by Anna Macfarlane, @ahhnnab (@kidsaretheworst) on Sep 30, 2014 at 10:33pm PDT

6. Toys are everywhere

Not a hope in hell am I cleaning any of this up #parenting #parentingfail

A photo posted by Kellie Kearney (@mylittlebabog) on Jul 21, 2015 at 8:43am PDT

7. A human step stool is not out of the question

Let's all just take a moment.. #Parenting

Posted by KIIS 1065 on Wednesday, August 5, 2015

8. Beds are free game for everyone

Another great night of sleep.

[Photo from Life of Dad user, Kera Schutz]

Posted by Life of Dad on Sunday, August 9, 2015

9. What having more than one child looks like

picture perfect || today was a R O U G H day. full of attitude and bickering from the moment those precious little feet hit the floor. we went school supply shopping this morning....and i kid you not....one minute I was looking at glue-sticks and the next minute I turn around and this is happening. {this picture was not posed...I debated even snapping it and if I should even post}. i share this only to say...i know social media can make lives appear to be 'picture perfect.' and while the pictures I do post here are true and real-life for us....our life, my parenting, our kids...are far from perfect. thankful tomorrow is a new day!! ?

A photo posted by marlacaldwell (@marlacaldwell) on Aug 10, 2015 at 8:34pm PDT

10. The toliet paper is always gone

"Mom, we're out of toilet paper." #No?Sherlock ???#ComeWipeMyBum photo thanks to @stephaniefd #kidsaretheworst

A photo posted by Anna Macfarlane, @ahhnnab (@kidsaretheworst) on Jun 25, 2015 at 5:30am PDT

11. Shopping with kids is loads of fun

Today is going super well ?I had a long day. I just wanna buy stuff ? #shoppingwithmom #getoffthefloor

A photo posted by €ⅈaℝa ⅅaℳaṩ (ℋenⅆerṣօℕ) (@ciaradamas) on Mar 17, 2016 at 4:38pm PDT

12. Bath time is fun too

This is how I clean my bathroom! Así es como limpio el baño ?

A photo posted by Soraya Avila-Sarcos ? (@sorayasarcos) on Jul 8, 2014 at 10:30am PDT

13. Sometimes the babies take off their diapers

Uhmmmm missy! I think something's missing... #stinker #TookOffHerDiaper

A photo posted by Lauryn Wirtala (@laurlynnnn) on Feb 7, 2016 at 7:34pm PST

14. What a parent's phone camera roll looks like

Özçekimde şımarma yaşım gelmiş de geçiyormuş bile... #babyselfie #selfie #luna21ay #luna21months ?????????????? ((selfie face!))

A photo posted by Luna BAŞBUĞ ? 26.06.2014 (@lunano_) on Apr 10, 2016 at 9:22am PDT

15. Diaper cream becomes a toy

She found the diaper cream under daddy's watch #diapercream #allovertheplace #rainydays #toddlerlife

A photo posted by Katherine Giovannone (@neesh_eyewear) on May 14, 2016 at 7:49am PDT

16. There is a never-ending laundry pile

I know, I know, you're jealous... #pilesoflaundry #tiniestlaundryroomever #anyonewanttotrade? #sos

A photo posted by Jordan Page | Budget Guru? (@funcheaporfree) on Sep 25, 2013 at 5:48pm PDT

17. Parents get walked all over — literally

Posted by Classic Hits 4FM on Wednesday, May 13, 2015

18. A child's face becomes a canvas

This is what "quiet" looked like for this child. "Look mommy, I'm tattooed!" 󾌯 #permanentmarker #tbt

Posted by Robyn Lee on Thursday, December 18, 2014

19. Kids take great care of your personal items

Special delivery: your toothbrushes all warmed and ready to use! #PasteAlreadyApplied #TooFar? #never? photo thanks to @goldenstatetravel #kidsaretheworst

A photo posted by Anna Macfarlane, @ahhnnab (@kidsaretheworst) on Jul 20, 2015 at 7:49am PDT

20. Nice photos don't always work out

Our friend Shane getting the business from his oldest little girl.

Captured by miss lala photography

Posted by Life of Dad on Monday, June 22, 2015