If You're Looking To Ditch Your Gym Membership, These 20 Target Products Will Help You Work Out At Home
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Privacy + saving money longterm = most rewarding workouts ever.
1. A Bala Bangle that'll up your workout's intensity (regardless of what you're doing). Simply strap them to your ankles and/or wrists and make pilates, yoga, or barre movements more challenging.
Target
Each bangle is two pounds and made of silicone, which makes it easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth after use. Your set also comes with a handy (matching!) carrying case.
Promising reviews: 'Perfect for walking, jogging, gym workout, etc. If you like to feel a little burn without being uncomfortable, these are your beginning weights. They are worth the buy.' — Belle
"I own several of these weights; the 15-pound bar and 10-pound ring. I love Bala, and the aesthetic weights make me use them more because I am okay with keeping them out. I bought this pair as a gift for a friend. They are not only beautiful but also very functional. A product that makes you want to work out!" — Rae
2. An adjustable dumbbell, because why have five sets of dumbbells when you can just have one? It's ideal if you lack the space for several sets of weights but still want the flexibility of using different poundage. It gives you the option to switch between 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 pounds with the simple click of the handle.
Target
It is worth noting that this is just a single dumbbell, so you'll want to purchase two if you're looking for a set.
Promising review: 'I love these adjustable dumbbells. They don't take up too much space in my home gym so I'm able to get several weights out of one, basically. The weights are also perfect for me, at 5, 10, 15, and 20, since that's usually all I use for arms.' — Aniterrrr
3. Or an adjustable kettlebell that is great for swings, deadlifts, and squats. Take advantage of the adjustable component, because you essentially get seven differently weighted kettlebells in one! Made of coated cast iron, it is well-made, and the quick-lock design makes changing weights a breeze.
Target
Like the dumbbell, you'll also want to purchase two if you're looking for a set.
4. A Blogilates ultimate toning tube kit that is as beautiful as it is functional. Use it to get in a resistance-focused workout that doesn't require any additional equipment.
Target
Each pastel-hued kit comes with five different resistance tubes (of varying intensities) as well as two foam handles, ankle straps, a door anchor, and a storage bag.
Promising review: 'So convenient for small dorm room workouts. Love the little bag, keeping everything contained. Door jam is so helpful Makes it easy for me to keep up with physical therapy for my whole body. Got it on sale, which made it even better.' — Isabel
5. A natural cork yoga mat to add stability and a more cushioned surface for things like power yoga or a 15-minute ab blaster. This mat features a pine green nonslip side and a cork surface (which, may I add, is antimicrobial). An added bonus? The 5-millimeter thickness is most yogis' preference for a grounding mat that doesn't provide too much cushion.
Target
Promising review: 'It's great quality for the price, and it's grippy for hands and feet. I saw a lot of reviews that said it wouldn't unroll, but mine unrolled just fine! Also, my cat loves it.' — Sam
6. A set of push-up bars, because these allow you to get a deeper range of motion and increase time under tension compared to just doing a traditional push-up. The design of these push-up bars takes unnecessary stress off the wrists, and the foam handle is comfortable to grip. These equal more muscle growth and strength for you.
Target
Promising review: 'Takes the pressure off my wrists when I do push-ups. Stable and stays in place.' — Sunshine in AZ
7. A Stanley Tumbler that isn't just popular because of its looks, but because folks love the spill-proof top, which also can be flipped down when you're not drinking out of it. This Stanley is double-walled, which helps your beverages stay cold for nine full hours. Plus, the handle is easy to grip, even with a sweaty hand.
Target
Promising review: 'Easy to take apart for cleaning, and I love the color. It is also completely spill-proof with the straw closed! 10/10.' — Rose
8. A pair of sliding core discs to up the intensity on exercises like mountain climbers or plank jacks. These specific discs are nice because they're dual-sided, meaning they're safe for use on both hard surfaces and carpet. You'll be getting in a better sweat *and* improving your stability. Win-win!
Target
Promising review: 'As an avid yoga and pilates practitioner, I'm always looking for new equipment to add into my routine. These core discs have become a daily staple whether it's for stretching, working on stability, strength training for everything from the core down (and even used for upper body work when used with hands). Anyone looking to improve any of the above in a cheap and simple way, I'd recommend greatly!' — lunaes
9. A NordicTrack Commercial 2450 treadmill for your home gym arsenal that will be an addition you won't regret. It has a 22-inch touchscreen for iFit programming, built-in speakers, and can be folded down when you're not using it. This durable cardio machine is perfect for walking, jogging, or sprinting to your heart's content.
Target
10. A Bosu balance trainer to help you work on your balance or add an extra challenge to your already-brutal up-downs. Bosu also provides a downloadable wall chart if you need some workout inspiration.
Target
This balance ball is 26 inches long, comes with a handy pump, and can hold up to 300 pounds.
11. A weighted fitness hoop adds fun and play to your at-home workout. It has a 1-pound ball attached that will help strengthen your core, and the size of the hoop can be adjusted to fit your body. I mean, come on, who doesn't want to Hula Hoop while watching a few YouTube videos?
Target
Promising review: 'I had to measure my waistline before using this. I also had to make it tight enough to fit around. Even though it's a bit loud with the weighted ball, this fitness hoop is something I could work out with when I can't get to the gym or go for a walk on some days. Happy to have something like this.' — Beautiful sundress
12. A Blogilates jump rope to help you master your double-unders or boxer steps in a jiffy. The cable on this rope is adjustable to fit your height, and the handles are cushioned for a more comfortable jumping experience. P.S. I'm obsessed with this rust shade — it's so cute!
13. A set of cooling towels that is exactly what you need after a hot and sweaty workout. It includes four towels in green, pink, grey, and blue, and comes with carabiners and storage bags to easily pack, transport, and hang them. Just soak one in water and enjoy the chilling effects after a tough cardio session.
14. A doorway pull-up bar (that can also be used on the floor for other exercises) because it is an easy addition to any house or apartment, and takes up very little space. This particular one has eight different foam grips to help you mix up your variations.
Target
It can hold up to 300 pounds (if properly installed), and fits on almost all doorways.
15. A plyometric box is useful for everything from box jumps to weighted step-ups — your choice. Regardless of the size you select, each box has three different height options so you can tailor it to a specific movement goal or ability level. Though you should always place it on a solid, even surface anyway, the grippy texture is a great feature to prevent your feet from slipping. I'm also loving the handles built into the boxes for easy transport.
Target
Promising review: 'Perfect size box for a personal gym. It's perfect for step-ups. The gradual increase in inches is perfect for beginning and advanced strength training. It's light and portable. The best part is that the cube is complete on all sides. Capable of holding my weight, 145 pounds, and a 30-pound dumbbell.' — Roxy in Nola
16. A weighted slam ball that is a multipurpose piece of home-gym equipment for everything from your abs to your lower body. Encased in a thick PVC shell, this slam ball is hardy and ready for whatever you throw (er, slam) at it. Regardless of the weight you choose, your slam ball comes filled with sand to deaden unwanted bounce. Plus, the sweat-resistant construction comes in ~handy~ when you've had a tough session. (No hand slippage here!)
Target
17. An adjustable exercise bench for supported benching, rowing, and chest pressing. It has eight backrest positions for virtually any exercise you can think of. Plus, it can hold 440 pounds, so it's obviously well-built. *And* at just under 30 pounds, this foldable bench can easily be moved (and stored).
18. An ab wheel that not only works your abdominal muscles, but also your lower back and posterior chain. The nonslip grip on the handles is a big plus while you're working up a sweat, and I appreciate the 250-pound weight capacity as well.
19. A Pilates reformer machine that you can use at home? Count me in! With different resistance options, this heavy-duty apparatus allows you to customize your workout to your personal fitness level. It even comes with three instructional DVDs to help you nail your workouts from the get-go.
Target
Promising review: 'This is a high-quality home reformer at a really great value. Sturdy all around! Putting the reformer together does take patience — the directions aren't the greatest and some of the holes in the frame didn't line up exactly, so I needed to get smaller screws to fit in the misaligned holes. It comes with a great poster-sized instruction booklet on all the basic Pilates moves, which is awesome for beginners!' — Ann
20. A set of resistance bands, since they are multifunctional and can just as easily be used for stretching as they can for functional fitness.
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04-06-2025
- Yahoo
Parents Are Obsessed With This Viral Stroller, So As A New Mom Myself, I Had To Give It A Try
Hello, friends. I'm Crystal and I became a first-time mom last year, which means I'm low-key obsessed with finding cool, interesting, and viral parenting products. Crystal Ro / BuzzFeed One of the places I see really interesting parenting products is social media (ESPECIALLY TikTok). And, thanks to ~algorithms~ the viral and highly beloved Bugaboo Butterfly stroller came up in my feed. So when I learned about the brand NEW, Bugaboo Butterfly 2, which just dropped June 3, I jumped at the opportunity to try one out! Note: I was sent the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 free to try out for editorial review, but was under no obligation to give a positive review. These are 100% my honest thoughts. So, the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 (which retails for $599.00) is a travel stroller, meaning it's designed to be lightweight, easy to carry, and something you can fold up in, like, one-second and with one hand. Obviously, there are many travel strollers out there, but the Bugaboo Butterfly (both the original and this new version) is considered top-of-the-line, hence the higher price range. And it comes up A LOT on social media and even Reddit. @houseofbebeuk / Via Google/Reddit For a breakdown, here are some of the highlights of the Butterfly 2 compared to the original: New back-seat pocket for easy-access essentials — perfect for your phone, keys, wipes, and snacks. Bigger, tougher wheels with full suspension for smoother rides — tested to handle over 2,485 miles. One-second, IATA-compatible fold — fits in overhead bins and tested for over 10,000 fold cycles. Upgraded sun canopy with a redesigned peekaboo window — gives better visibility and sun protection. Integrated comfort features — featuring a one-hand adjustable footrest, shoulder strap, and extra-padded harness. Ultra-lightweight at just 16 lbs — Bugaboo's lightest stroller yet. Bugaboo's lowest CO₂ footprint ever — 37% lower than the original, made with 60% recycled aluminum and bio-based plastics. And after "road testing" the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 for a couple of weeks — through the neighborhood, parks, malls, and even North America's largest IKEA — here's what I thought: I'm OBSESSED with how small and lightweight it is. For the last year-ish, I've been using a much larger "regular" stroller — which has been great for transporting our baby when he was younger in his infant car seat, which easily snapped into the large stroller, as well as being able to haul ALL the things needed for an infant — but I'd be lying if I said it was easy to use. Like, the thing is big and heavy. So, being able to use a travel stroller without the struggle I normally go through with my "regular" one felt incredible LOL. I looooove being able to open and close it with one hand. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Crystal Ro / BuzzFeed As I mentioned above, our previous stroller was large and you cannot close it with one hand. It seems like a small thing, but being able to hold your child (or for demonstration purposes with a pillow of my cat as in the GIF above) while simultaneously opening and/or closing a stroller is, like, huge. Love how easy it is with this. It's really compact — did I mention how much I love how small the stroller is?!? For comparison's sake, above is a photo of our regular stroller in my car's trunk vs. the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 (diaper bag for scale). It's like night and day. Being able to have more room for groceries and just STUFF is major. Another win. Also, in case you are wondering, the Butterfly strollers are IATA-compatible and designed to be TSA-approved, meaning they can be stored in the overhead compartment of an airplane when folded. (I haven't had the chance to try this out yet, but this was another MAJOR plus to me!) The nearly-full recline is very handy. Apparently, the first version of the Bugaboo Butterfly did not recline as far as this one. Our regular stroller has a full recline, which was handy for when our baby was younger and slept all the time since newborns need to sleep in a flat position. I've also always found the full recline feature helpful for changing diapers when a changing station (or even a clean one) isn't nearby. And while this stroller doesn't have a full recline, it gets pretty close, and it was enough for us to do a couple of diaper changes! It's a super smooth ride. Our regular stroller has much larger, air-filled wheels, so it's a VERY smooth ride. And, TBH, I was a little suspicious if the Butterfly 2, with its smaller, hard wheels, would be as smooth. But, to my surprise, it was?! Admittedly, I didn't exactly "off-road" with this stroller, but even on pavement and a few different terrains, the stroller moved really smoothly and had some good shock absorption. As I said, I tested this baby out in North America's largest IKEA (in Burbank, CA) — which, if you've been to an IKEA, you know how busy it can get — and I was able to maneuver between small aisles and meandering people with more ease than the regular stroller. It can actually fit a decent amount of stuff even though the storage space in the under-carriage is significantly smaller than our "regular" stroller. I was pretty impressed at how much I could fit in the bottom of the stroller. Now, admittedly, if we were going to be out for a long day or in a situation where we needed to carry a full diaper bag, toys, food, etc., then it would be a struggle to make it all fit underneath. But for purposes of popping out to a grocery store, or just going for a walk, etc. this worked great. Other cool features I liked: The pocket in the back and the peep window on the sun shade. From what I'm told, these are small changes/additions to the Butterfly 2, and I think they're great additions. The pocket in the back came in handy a number of times while out and about — I used it for my son's hat, some sunscreen, and toys — and the peep window in the sun shade above is always nice to have to check on your child while out for a walk. For example, I like checking if he is pulling his sun hat off for the 50th time (the answer is usually yes!). A couple of things I think could be improved: adding a handlebar height adjustment and more padding for the handlebar. A big advantage of our regular stroller vs. this travel one is that you can adjust the height of the handlebar. For someone short (I am 5'2"!) who has a taller husband, this is an important feature to have. I'm guessing in order to keep the Butterfly 2 as lightweight and compact as possible, this wasn't an option. 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Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
27 Childcare Workers Are Sharing The Parent Horror Stories That Left Them Absolutely Speechless
Working with children isn't easy, and these parents definitely made it harder. We asked current and former childcare workers in the BuzzFeed Community to share the most outlandish things a parent has said or done, and it's...a lot. Buckle in — here are some of the most shocking parent horror stories we received: 1."We had a kid who was severely allergic to peanuts. He really liked peanut butter cups, though, so his parents would give them to him with an EpiPen. They did this repeatedly. It was like they didn't realize that the effectiveness would wear off over time, or that the shot might not work, and he could die!" —Anonymous 2."I am a daycare worker, and I had a child who was physically hurting other kids. I set up a meeting with his mother, and she actually said, 'You're the one taking care of this kid during daycare, not me. What happens in daycare isn't my responsibility.' Seriously?!" —Anonymous 3."I was pregnant while working with toddlers who were 18–36 months. A parent was dropping off their child, and the child looked at my stomach, ran at me full force, and shoved me over by pushing my pregnant belly. I was horrified. The parent said, 'Well, maybe you aren't meant to be a mom if you can't take a hit like that!'" —Anonymous 4."I'm an infant and toddler teacher with over 20 years in the industry. Many years ago, a mom asked how her son had been that day. When I told her that he was a bit fussy but otherwise okay, she replied with, 'Yeah, he had a fever yesterday, so I put Tylenol in all of his bottles.' I was mortified. When I told her that she couldn't do that and that she had to keep the baby home if he was sick, she complained about me to the director (who backed me up)." —Cathy, 46, New Jersey 5."A family donated a hamster to our pre-K classroom while their daughter was enrolled. The daughter went to kindergarten, and a few years later, the hamster died (as they do). We had helped the current pre-K kids get through the situation. Well, the family who had given the hamster to our class showed up to visit, learned that the hamster had died, and wanted us to DIG UP THE BODY so they could re-bury it at their house. We declined, saying that the kids would be upset, but they insisted that since they had given the hamster to the school, the hamster was theirs. We held our ground, and the hamster was able to stay in the ground." —Anonymous 6."I once nannied for a family with five kids and nine pets. They had six nannies who would take shifts two at a time around the clock so that the parents never had to be with or take care of their own kids. There were lots of things about that family that were off, but the biggest problem was that they allowed their children to pee and defecate anywhere in the house, and it was our job (the nannies) to clean it up." "This was totally normal for them. The oldest child was 6 years old and learning how to potty train. She asked me to come wipe her one day, and I was horrified. Apparently, the parents expected us to do that as well. I made the executive decision to instead coach her through wiping herself, because she certainly was old enough and more than capable. The mom got so upset at me for not wiping her daughter that I was fired the next day. In retrospect, she did us both a favor." —makennamarx5532 7."We sent a kid home with a fever. When the mom showed up to pick him up, she pulled out her own thermometer, claiming ours didn't work, and that we were just 'faking it.' Right, because we can clearly fake multiple thermometers detecting a fever." —ashleylg817 8."I'm a first-grade teacher. I'm a size 22 and have been plus-size for basically my whole life. Many parents have definitely made microaggressions toward me, or have been nervous for their kids to have a plus-size teacher due to internalized fatphobia. Despite my size, I'm a great teacher and can keep up with my class of 20+ 6–7-year-olds. There was one parent who made me cry, though. First, she demanded that her child be removed from my class because she thought my weight was a 'safety concern.' What if I fell on a kid and crushed them? Or what if my weight prevents me from moving fast enough in a crisis? Well, I was the only teacher certified to have a gifted class at my school, so that parent's gifted daughter had to be in my class in order for her to receive enrichment services." "This mom also LOVED to mention weight-loss drugs, gym memberships, and diets to me, which I always turned down and tried to ignore. The worst of it, though, was when I found out that my bloodwork indicated that I may have a form of chronic leukemia. Obviously, my principal worked with me to send out a letter to families letting them know that I'd be out of school fairly often while we did the lab work and I was sorting out getting the official diagnosis. Most of my students and their families were devastated and were very supportive during this tough time. Not the fat-shaming mom. She told me, 'Well, there's a silver lining in this! You'll probably finally lose a bunch of weight now!' Thankfully, I turned out not to have leukemia, and my principal agreed to be there for every interaction with that mother after that awful comment." —Gemma, Virginia, 25 9."I was a go-to babysitter for a family a few years back. The thing is, I never felt like I was babysitting. No matter what time of day I was coming over, the mom made the kids go to bed. Three p.m.? Doesn't matter, they're in bed. And I was told to get on them if they got up (I never did, though, and always offered to play with them or watch shows)." —Anonymous 10."Had one mom get mad at me because I brought her kid to the bus stop to pick up other kids. It was cold out and raining. The mom knew we did bus runs and sent her kid in the thinnest coat possible. But it's my fault she got wet. Same mom was mad that I didn't supply diapers and wipes, and when her kid got a heat rash in the hottest summer ever, she accused me of giving her kid a skin disease. I have rosacea, and it's not contagious." —tmc02377 11."I had a toddler who was brought into the center with what the parents told us was a cat bite on her hand. She favored the hand and cried if it got bumped or when she had to use it. The next time she was brought back (two days later), the hand was red, enormously swollen, and very obviously painful." "We called the parents and told them she needed to be picked up. Mind you, the mom worked in some medical profession. When they brought her back the next day, they said she had such a bad infection in that hand that a special antibiotic had to be driven in by a pharmacy 50 miles away. Imagine what would have happened had they continued to ignore this infection?!" —Anonymous 12."I had an infant who was not using her arm and was clearly in pain and distress. We called the mom who said, 'Yeah. She hurt her arm in her crib two days ago.' We told her she was unable to use that arm and was in obvious pain. She said she could not be there for another two hours. She finally picked her baby up and told us the next day that the baby's shoulder was out of the socket." —Anonymous 13."When the dads tell us, 'Mom doesn't like the baby at home.'" —pinkjadeybug 14."Our daycare only watched 3-month-olds to 5-year-olds. There was one toddler who would punch, push, and sometimes even bite all the other children. We tried asking the mother to talk to/discipline her son, or we couldn't watch him anymore, as it turned into a liability since he was hurting other children. The mother was adamant that her son would never do anything bad." "So, one day, it was the same song and dance: Us: 'Your son hit again today.' Her: 'What? No, my son would never!' But this time, she picked up her little 4-year-old and started baby-talking to him. 'You would never hit, would you? You are the sweetest thing. You would never hit!' And what did her son do? He slapped her so hard across the face that her head snapped back. Then, she denied to our face that he hit her, even though we just witnessed it!" —shortfatproudofthat 15."One white mom used to drop her kid off, and every morning (this was just after the movie The Help came out), she would set her son down and talk in an over-exaggerated 'blaccent' to her son and say, 'What is you? You is kiiind…you is is haaaaaandsome…you is stroooong. What else is you?' And she'd list off the wonderful things her son was for nearly five minutes straight." —shortfatproudofthat 16."Not me, but my mom. The general audacity of folks, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown, who brought children to daycare when they clearly were not working and put my 60-year-old immunocompromised mother at risk, was wild. On top of that, add in parents who deliberately brought in children who were sick (some of whom they KNEW had COVID) so they could get a break at home. It truly makes my blood boil." "In the midst of this, I had a friend who was furloughed but proudly told me how she was still bringing her 2-year-old to daycare at the height of COVID so that she could DIY her new home. All I could think of were the women (like my mother) who were risking their lives to care for my friend's child while she did crafts all day in an empty house. Needless to say, we don't talk much these days." —34-year-old, Northeast 17."I babysat for a family, and the mom told me that if the three kids got in the pool, that would count as their shower/bath time." —Anonymous 18."Once, we had a new little girl in our group, and her mom brought her in on the first day. The little girl started playing, and all seemed well, but as the mom was leaving, she stopped and told us that she 'really prefers it if her daughter doesn't walk.'" "After a short, confused silence, she clarified that when moving from one activity to another, or going to the bathroom or on outings or whenever movement was required, she wanted us to carry her daughter because she didn't want her to have to walk on her own. The little girl was 4 years old and clearly capable and happy to move around on her own. That was an odd encounter that has stuck in my memory." —kittyminkie88 19."There was a mom who cursed me out for telling her, per policy, that I couldn't put sugar in her child's milk and food. She withdrew her child immediately the next day." —Anonymous 20."I worked as a pre-K teacher for five years. In my five years, I became close to what I thought was the perfect family — an amazing mom and dad, and two really sweet and smart boys. I had both kids in my classroom at one point or another, and always greeted the family in the morning and made small talk. One morning, the boys are being dropped off with me, and the dad starts openly hitting on me in front of his kids and my entire class." "He made comments like: 'I bet you bring the sunshine wherever you go,' 'I love seeing you smile each day,' and 'You're the boys' best part of the mine.' He said all of this while eye-banging me. I felt so uncomfortable; all I did was laugh and shuffle his kids into my room. A few weeks later, the mom of the boys asked to speak to me privately. Turns out, the dad had been cheating on her for years! I was in shock — they truly seemed like the perfect couple. I guess you never know what goes on behind closed doors." —Anonymous 21."I'm a former preschool teacher. A mom asked if she could bring in CBD gummies for us to give to her 3-year-old when she threw tantrums." —Anonymous 22."The one that left me completely dumbfounded was when the mom, whose baby was a month younger than mine, asked me how I kept her baby's diaper on if she wasn't wearing a onesie. I (and the co-teacher) just stared at her for several seconds until we realized she was serious. I have seen and heard a lot in my 15 years in childcare, but that one actually made my mouth hang open! All I said was, 'Um, I don't know. I use a diaper that fits.' Bless her heart, she didn't think the diaper would stay on if the baby didn't always wear a onesie. The best part is that this was her second child!" —mister_nanda 23."I had a mom get upset because I allowed her 1-year-old to hold their own bottle rather than holding it for them." —antibeingkilled 24."I had a child who was sick. We called the mother, and she said, 'Do we have to come right now? We're enjoying our alone time.'" —Anonymous 25."I had a boy in my class from a divorced family. When he'd come back from spending the weekend with his dad, he'd gotten a new Black Panther action figure. This little man absolutely loved this action figure — he begged me to let him sleep with it during nap time and even had snack time with it. The day went on, and it was time for him to get picked up. His mom walked into my class and saw her son holding the Black Panther. Out loud, she made an Ugh sound." "At first, I just assumed it was because her son got another new toy. But she looked at me and said, 'I just don't understand why THEY need their own superhero. I'm part Native American,' — she was not — 'and I'm not looking for an Indian hero. Why do the Blacks need one?' I was shook! How did she think that was appropriate to say in front of children and me? Just because I am a white person doesn't mean I agree with racist comments. I simply looked at her and said, with a very condescending smile, 'Well, some people think representation matters.' She gave me a huge eye roll and left with her son." —Anonymous 26."I worked for an affluent family in the Bay Area that had four children for nearly four years in my early 20s. On top of taking care of their children, I was in charge of all the housework, like errands, laundry, etc. With laundry, I would scan the floors of each room as needed, pick up the clothes, and go on about my work. I can't believe I am typing this, but the mom used to leave her period-stained underwear on the ground of her bedroom, and I would pick it up!" "Also, more than once, I found tampons that you could tell had been used and pulled out strewn on the floor alongside their bed. Honestly, I never thought twice about cleaning it up. As a mom myself and in my 30s now, I can't believe they were so dirty and careless, and how it did not faze me in the slightest because it was my job." —Anonymous "Daycare teacher here. I had a parent come to me during group bathroom time and start the conversation with, 'Hey, I meant to talk to you about this do you remember two weeks ago if [child] pooped at school that day?' Ma'am, I don't even remember yesterday — no, I don't know if your child pooped two weeks ago?!?" "She was asking because she thought the kiddo ate a coin, so they'd ended up at the ER to check, but nothing had shown up on the X-ray. So, she wanted to see if I'd seen a coin in the kid's poop, and if I could keep checking the poop to see if one came out! No. I am not looking through poop. What?!? We get paid starting at $12/hr...I'm not digging through the poop of 4 and 5-year-olds." —Anonymous If you're a childcare worker or have worked with children, do you have any other parent horror stories you want to share? Let it all out in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your story using the form below! Don't worry, we're here for ya. Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Buzz Feed
04-06-2025
- Buzz Feed
27 Parent Horror Stories From Childcare Workers
Working with children isn't easy, and these parents definitely made it harder. We asked current and former childcare workers in the BuzzFeed Community to share the most outlandish things a parent has said or done, and it's...a lot. Buckle in — here are some of the most shocking parent horror stories we received: "We had a kid who was severely allergic to peanuts. He really liked peanut butter cups, though, so his parents would give them to him with an EpiPen. They did this repeatedly. It was like they didn't realize that the effectiveness would wear off over time, or that the shot might not work, and he could die!" —Anonymous "I am a daycare worker, and I had a child who was physically hurting other kids. I set up a meeting with his mother, and she actually said, 'You're the one taking care of this kid during daycare, not me. What happens in daycare isn't my responsibility.' Seriously?!" "I was pregnant while working with toddlers who were 18–36 months. A parent was dropping off their child, and the child looked at my stomach, ran at me full force, and shoved me over by pushing my pregnant belly. I was horrified. The parent said, 'Well, maybe you aren't meant to be a mom if you can't take a hit like that!'" "I'm an infant and toddler teacher with over 20 years in the industry. Many years ago, a mom asked how her son had been that day. When I told her that he was a bit fussy but otherwise okay, she replied with, 'Yeah, he had a fever yesterday, so I put Tylenol in all of his bottles.' I was mortified. When I told her that she couldn't do that and that she had to keep the baby home if he was sick, she complained about me to the director (who backed me up)." "A family donated a hamster to our pre-K classroom while their daughter was enrolled. The daughter went to kindergarten, and a few years later, the hamster died (as they do). We had helped the current pre-K kids get through the situation. Well, the family who had given the hamster to our class showed up to visit, learned that the hamster had died, and wanted us to DIG UP THE BODY so they could re-bury it at their house. We declined, saying that the kids would be upset, but they insisted that since they had given the hamster to the school, the hamster was theirs. We held our ground, and the hamster was able to stay in the ground." "I once nannied for a family with five kids and nine pets. They had six nannies who would take shifts two at a time around the clock so that the parents never had to be with or take care of their own kids. There were lots of things about that family that were off, but the biggest problem was that they allowed their children to pee and defecate anywhere in the house, and it was our job (the nannies) to clean it up." "This was totally normal for them. The oldest child was 6 years old and learning how to potty train. She asked me to come wipe her one day, and I was horrified. Apparently, the parents expected us to do that as well. I made the executive decision to instead coach her through wiping herself, because she certainly was old enough and more than capable. The mom got so upset at me for not wiping her daughter that I was fired the next day. In retrospect, she did us both a favor."—makennamarx5532 "We sent a kid home with a fever. When the mom showed up to pick him up, she pulled out her own thermometer, claiming ours didn't work, and that we were just 'faking it.' Right, because we can clearly fake multiple thermometers detecting a fever." "I'm a first-grade teacher. I'm a size 22 and have been plus-size for basically my whole life. Many parents have definitely made microaggressions toward me, or have been nervous for their kids to have a plus-size teacher due to internalized fatphobia. Despite my size, I'm a great teacher and can keep up with my class of 20+ 6–7-year-olds. There was one parent who made me cry, though. First, she demanded that her child be removed from my class because she thought my weight was a 'safety concern.' What if I fell on a kid and crushed them? Or what if my weight prevents me from moving fast enough in a crisis? Well, I was the only teacher certified to have a gifted class at my school, so that parent's gifted daughter had to be in my class in order for her to receive enrichment services." "I was a go-to babysitter for a family a few years back. The thing is, I never felt like I was babysitting. No matter what time of day I was coming over, the mom made the kids go to bed. Three p.m.? Doesn't matter, they're in bed. And I was told to get on them if they got up (I never did, though, and always offered to play with them or watch shows)." —Anonymous "Had one mom get mad at me because I brought her kid to the bus stop to pick up other kids. It was cold out and raining. The mom knew we did bus runs and sent her kid in the thinnest coat possible. But it's my fault she got wet. Same mom was mad that I didn't supply diapers and wipes, and when her kid got a heat rash in the hottest summer ever, she accused me of giving her kid a skin disease. I have rosacea, and it's not contagious." "I had a toddler who was brought into the center with what the parents told us was a cat bite on her hand. She favored the hand and cried if it got bumped or when she had to use it. The next time she was brought back (two days later), the hand was red, enormously swollen, and very obviously painful." "I had an infant who was not using her arm and was clearly in pain and distress. We called the mom who said, 'Yeah. She hurt her arm in her crib two days ago.' We told her she was unable to use that arm and was in obvious pain. She said she could not be there for another two hours. She finally picked her baby up and told us the next day that the baby's shoulder was out of the socket." "When the dads tell us, 'Mom doesn't like the baby at home.'" —pinkjadeybug "Our daycare only watched 3-month-olds to 5-year-olds. There was one toddler who would punch, push, and sometimes even bite all the other children. We tried asking the mother to talk to/discipline her son, or we couldn't watch him anymore, as it turned into a liability since he was hurting other children. The mother was adamant that her son would never do anything bad." "One white mom used to drop her kid off, and every morning (this was just after the movie The Help came out), she would set her son down and talk in an over-exaggerated 'blaccent' to her son and say, 'What is you? You is kiiind…you is is haaaaaandsome…you is stroooong. What else is you?' And she'd list off the wonderful things her son was for nearly five minutes straight." "Not me, but my mom. The general audacity of folks, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown, who brought children to daycare when they clearly were not working and put my 60-year-old immunocompromised mother at risk, was wild. On top of that, add in parents who deliberately brought in children who were sick (some of whom they KNEW had COVID) so they could get a break at home. It truly makes my blood boil." "I babysat for a family, and the mom told me that if the three kids got in the pool, that would count as their shower/bath time." —Anonymous "Once, we had a new little girl in our group, and her mom brought her in on the first day. The little girl started playing, and all seemed well, but as the mom was leaving, she stopped and told us that she 'really prefers it if her daughter doesn't walk.'" "There was a mom who cursed me out for telling her, per policy, that I couldn't put sugar in her child's milk and food. She withdrew her child immediately the next day." "I worked as a pre-K teacher for five years. In my five years, I became close to what I thought was the perfect family — an amazing mom and dad, and two really sweet and smart boys. I had both kids in my classroom at one point or another, and always greeted the family in the morning and made small talk. One morning, the boys are being dropped off with me, and the dad starts openly hitting on me in front of his kids and my entire class." "I'm a former preschool teacher. A mom asked if she could bring in CBD gummies for us to give to her 3-year-old when she threw tantrums." —Anonymous "The one that left me completely dumbfounded was when the mom, whose baby was a month younger than mine, asked me how I kept her baby's diaper on if she wasn't wearing a onesie. I (and the co-teacher) just stared at her for several seconds until we realized she was serious. I have seen and heard a lot in my 15 years in childcare, but that one actually made my mouth hang open! All I said was, 'Um, I don't know. I use a diaper that fits.' Bless her heart, she didn't think the diaper would stay on if the baby didn't always wear a onesie. The best part is that this was her second child!" "I had a mom get upset because I allowed her 1-year-old to hold their own bottle rather than holding it for them." "I had a child who was sick. We called the mother, and she said, 'Do we have to come right now? We're enjoying our alone time.'" "I had a boy in my class from a divorced family. When he'd come back from spending the weekend with his dad, he'd gotten a new Black Panther action figure. This little man absolutely loved this action figure — he begged me to let him sleep with it during nap time and even had snack time with it. The day went on, and it was time for him to get picked up. His mom walked into my class and saw her son holding the Black Panther. Out loud, she made an Ugh sound." "At first, I just assumed it was because her son got another new toy. But she looked at me and said, 'I just don't understand why THEY need their own superhero. I'm part Native American,' — she was not — 'and I'm not looking for an Indian hero. Why do the Blacks need one?' I was shook! How did she think that was appropriate to say in front of children and me? Just because I am a white person doesn't mean I agree with racist comments. I simply looked at her and said, with a very condescending smile, 'Well, some people think representation matters.' She gave me a huge eye roll and left with her son."—Anonymous "I worked for an affluent family in the Bay Area that had four children for nearly four years in my early 20s. On top of taking care of their children, I was in charge of all the housework, like errands, laundry, etc. With laundry, I would scan the floors of each room as needed, pick up the clothes, and go on about my work. I can't believe I am typing this, but the mom used to leave her period-stained underwear on the ground of her bedroom, and I would pick it up!" Lastly: "Daycare teacher here. I had a parent come to me during group bathroom time and start the conversation with, 'Hey, I meant to talk to you about this do you remember two weeks ago if [child] pooped at school that day?' Ma'am, I don't even remember yesterday — no, I don't know if your child pooped two weeks ago?!?" "She was asking because she thought the kiddo ate a coin, so they'd ended up at the ER to check, but nothing had shown up on the X-ray. So, she wanted to see if I'd seen a coin in the kid's poop, and if I could keep checking the poop to see if one came out! No. I am not looking through poop. What?!? We get paid starting at $12/hr...I'm not digging through the poop of 4 and 5-year-olds."—Anonymous If you're a childcare worker or have worked with children, do you have any other parent horror stories you want to share? Let it all out in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your story using the form below! Don't worry, we're here for ya.
