30 totally rotten things parents do to ruin their kids' lives.

What absolutely outrageous demand have you made of your kids lately? You know, like “Brush your teeth.”

Confession is good for the soul, they say. Confession sets you free.

Well, I confess I have been extraordinarily unreasonable lately, and that I am, in fact, ruining my children’s lives.

For example:

• I asked my primary schooler to take a shower even though, “GEEZ, Mom.”
• I asked my daughter to open the garage door for her brother even though, “That is STUPID and NOT FAIR, and I HATE EVERYONE.”
• I asked small children to put away all the pieces of the LEGOs even though stiff bodies and lying prostrate on the ground and wailing and gnashing of teeth and, “But we can’t do ALL of it; it is TOO HARD.”

And I know. I know. I suck.

Fortunately, it turns out I do not suck alone, because children everywhere are suffering. So I asked the parents who read my blog what totally awful, terrible things they’ve done to their poor children lately and here, as a way to honor the victims of our collective madness, are:

30 Totally Rotten Things Parents Have Confessed to Doing That Are RUINING Their Children’s Lives

1. “I asked my son to stop spitting his chewed-up carrots in random corners of the house.” -Mariah
2. “I cruelly, and with malice aforethought, did willfully remove a string of Mardi Gras beads from my toddler’s neck before settling her into bed for the night.” -Terri
3. “I asked my daughter to flush the toilet and wash her hands with soap, even though both things will mean the END of the world. The END.” -Emily
4. “I let my child have cookie, but it was the wrong one.” – Jenn
5. “I ruthlessly tore a bagel in half (like an animal!) so when my 20-month-old inevitably fed it to the dog, he’d still have half to eat. Feverishly trying to paste it back together with cream cheese was no way to make amends. It was an insult to his intelligence, and I am ashamed for even trying.” -Megan
6. “I made my daughter take a multivitamin even though ‘they taste like death and the tears of a child.'” -Annie
7. “I told my 2-year-old to stop playing the video game (which I had not put quarters in) at the skating rink to go have cookies, cake and ice cream for his cousin’s birthday. I am truly evil.” -Lauren
8. “I asked my daughter to go pee when she needs to instead of playing longer and getting wet. My priorities are wrong.” -Jennifer
9. “I wiped my son’s nose.” -Kristen
10. “I told my 10-year-old she had to eat one spoonful of vegetables before she could have ice cream even though ‘all vegetables make me THROW UP.'” -Sheila
11. “I expect my teens to take a shower at least every other day. I’m too demanding.” -Ruby
12. “My child will be calling Child Protective Services and suing for $20,000 cash because I threw out a gnarly toothbrush and replaced it with a fresh, new one, which is clearly child abuse.” -Jamie
13. “I suggested my son put his coat in the car just in case we broke down and needed to walk even though he’s never cold, and our stupid car is old, and I’m not him, and I don’t know his body temperature, and we probably won’t break down anyway. I’m a jerk.” -Anne
14. “I made my 5-year-old put on all her clothes before going to school.” -Shawndy
15. “I asked if I could please have just three minutes to pee before looking for the lost doll boot.” -Tess
16. “I turned off the TV.” -Genevieve
17. “I asked my 3-year-old grandson to stop biting his sister even though she kept taking his toy car.” -Janet
18. “I cook gross food for dinner. Every night.” -Diana
19. “I made my 15-year-old shovel snow even though it will snow again.” -Sonja
20. “I fed my toddler his favorite foods for lunch.” -Katie
21. “I told my son he may not take a bubble bath with the dog.” -April

22. "I require my kids wear a minimum of underwear to sit on my furniture." -Beth
23. "I made my 12-year-old hang her own washing even though it nearly killed her." -Simone
24. "I asked the last child out of the minivan to push the button to close the door. The same child who always has to do everything." -Kimberly
25. "I went to my teen's choir concert and clapped." -Margie
26. "I didn't allow my son to hide chicken in his underpants to get out of eating dinner and back to playing." -Michelle
27. "I don't let my 1-year-old lick the bottom of people's shoes." -Michelle
28. "I zipped my son's coat too high." -Martha
29. "I didn't zip his coat high enough." -Savans
30. "I exist." -Elaine

In conclusion, we parents are horrible people out to irrevocably wreck the lives of small people around us. And we should be ashamed.

An earlier version of this article was originally published at the Five Kids blog, it appears here with full permission. All quotes are credited to comments of the Five Kids blog readers... who are, obviously, the raddest momrades on the planet.

Do you have any more outrageous parenting demands to add to this list?