The little bundles of joy are not always just that: happiness factories. They cry, they scream, they snatch and pull, they don’t really like sleeping when you’re tired and oh, did I mention they cry? A lot? But how can we resent them when they have such big wet eyes and innocent faces and find everything fascinating? Even tearing a piece of paper in front of them will throw them into fits of laughter. Still, parents sometimes pay a heavy price for the simple fact of being a parent. And kids usually wait till they’re out with mommy or daddy to pull out the big guns and make them go scarlet with uneasiness. Take note of the following 7 embarrassing situations all parents go through and either reminisce or be afraid.

1. Let’s talk about eeeverything!

It’s not a secret that kids enjoy everything that’s new. And they definitely don’t shy away from pointing and laughing, pointing and shouting or pointing and crying. Sometimes, these might all happen at the same time. At other times, your kid might want to let you know they need to go for a wee. From across the room. A room full of important people from your job. Just smile, pick up your bundle of joy and head to the toilet like nothing happened.

2. Blunt, Raw, Cold Hearted Honesty

Another quality kids possess is honesty. That might put an end to you making excuses to go out with your friends, who will find out you weren’t feeling sick at all on Alice’s birthday. And careful what you say about Tom’s shoes when your kid’s hanging around. Tom might be really hurt when he hears you don’t like his fake crocodile pointed lacquered shoes. That are also red.

3. Dinner Time!

Attention all mommies out there, be careful around hungry breastfed babies with deft fingers. It has been reported that since they can’t gently whisper into your ear they would like to be fed, they resort to other techniques. Before you know it, your shirt will be over your head and the little guy will be breastfeeding like an angel, to the surprise of all your uncles that came at your dinner party.

4. It’s Santa!

Use your adult height to your advantage and be quick on your feet when you spot a man with a white beard and rosy cheeks strolling down the same alley as you and your kid. If you’re not quick enough to distract your kiddo, get ready to come up with an explanation about why Santa is taking a walk in the park in July and he’s not overseeing the toy factory!

5. I didn’t invite you over…

Your mom just flew for nine hours and drove three more hours to see her favorite niece and her favorite niece… can’t leave her twenty nine toys unsupervised because the boogie man might come and steal one. You should show your mother the guest room, she must be SO tired.

6. This couch is too white, let’s cover it in neon green!

Pro tip: you might want to leave your kid’s coloring crayons or sharpies at home when you go visit. And hide your hosts’ pencils, if they have any. You should also hide any scissors, forks, toothpaste and nail polish while you’re at it. Just to be safe. Better yet, stay within one meter of your bundle of joy. This way you’ll minimize the furniture damage they’ll do to your cousin’s eighteenth century baroque coffee table. Don’t underestimate them, they’ll think of something.

7. Frog. Fox. Fork.

Simple words, right? Except when a toddler tries to utter them. That spells disaster. I rest my case.

Image sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7