25 People Share The Situations That Made Them Realize They’ve Turned Into Their Parents
"When I started getting angry when other people baked in my kitchen."
Some things in life we cannot change, no matter how much we try. The sun is going to die eventually, we have to pay taxes, and we are all going to turn into our parents.
It does not matter what we do or how much we fight it; it is going to happen, so we might as well accept that and go on with our lives. So, just relax and enjoy the ride.
A recently shared post inspired people to share the moments they’ve realized that they are turning into their parents. These moments are hilarious and, unfortunately, so relatable. So, so relatable..
The original post:
1. Tank tops
"I used to make fun of my mom for buying the same clothes in every color — and now I have five of the same tank top in four different colors," reflects a common realization many face as they navigate adulthood. According to Dr. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, "We often mirror our parents' behaviors, consciously or unconsciously, as we seek comfort in familiarity." This phenomenon is not just about clothing choices; it extends to various aspects of our lives as we grow older.
—Dr. Jonathan Haidt, Social Psychologist
2. Books.
"I realized I'd become my mother when I started obsessively straightening piles of books on tables at Barnes & Noble," says Dr. Shefali Tsabary, a renowned parenting expert. "It's a common experience for many as we unconsciously adopt the habits and behaviors of our parents." You can learn more about her insights on parenting at Dr. Shefali Tsabary's website.
3. Alarm clocks
"When I started bragging about how I wake up early without needing an alarm clock, I realized I was becoming more like my parents. As life coach Mastin Kipp says, 'The habits we cultivate often mirror those of our upbringing, whether we intend them to or not.'
4. Towels
"When I bought a set of bathroom towels for decor and used completely different towels to actually dry my body."
—Dr. Alexandra Solomon, Relationship Therapist
5. Pens
"I realized I was becoming my mom when I began collecting pens from anywhere that offers a pen. And if it writes well, I come back for more! The bottom of my purse is full of them!" This behavior reflects a common tendency to adopt habits from our parents, as noted by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a happiness researcher who states, "Our habits often mirror those of our parents, as we unconsciously absorb their behaviors and preferences." You can explore more about this phenomenon at Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar's website.
6. Stop talking
"When I told my young cousin to stop talking to me like one of her 'little friends.'" This moment reflects a common realization many adults face as they navigate their roles in family dynamics. As Dr. Laura Berman, a renowned sex therapist, states, "We often find ourselves mirroring the behaviors and phrases of our parents, sometimes without even realizing it." For more insights on relationships and family interactions, visit Dr. Laura Berman.
7. Parking
"When I was a kid, my dad always backed into parking spaces, and I found it annoying. Then, when I was an adult, I was once in a tight spot at a restaurant, so instead of pulling an Austin Powers, I just backed right in...
Ever since then, I always back into parking spaces — those few extra seconds are worth it when you leave!" According to Dr. Lawrence Cohen, a child psychologist and author, "Children often adopt the habits of their parents, sometimes without even realizing it. These learned behaviors can shape our daily routines in surprising ways." — Dr. Lawrence Cohen
8. Plastic bags
"I realized I had become my mother when I found myself collecting plastic bags under the sink, a habit I never thought I'd adopt."
— Dr. Jane Nelsen, Parenting Expert
9. Bridge
"When I asked my 6-year-old, 'If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?'"
—Dr. Janet Lansbury, Parenting Expert
10. Good deal
"When I started bragging about what a good deal something was, I realized I was becoming my parents." According to Dr. Dan Ariely, a behavioral economist, "Our spending habits often reflect our upbringing, and we may find ourselves repeating patterns without even realizing it." —Dr. Dan Ariely
11. Memory
"When I was younger, I once held an intervention for my mom's plant addiction. Well, the other day, I went to the store for one thing...and came home with wine, plants, and no memory of what I actually went there for! As Dr. Gary Chapman, marriage counselor and author of 'The 5 Love Languages,' notes, 'Our habits can often reflect the behaviors of those we are closest to, sometimes without us even realizing it.'"
12. Old enough
"When I was at a concert and I noticed some drunk people in their early twenties, I couldn't help but wonder if they were even old enough to drink. This moment made me realize how our perceptions of age and responsibility change as we grow older." — Dr. Laura Berman, Sex Therapist
13. Glasses
"The time I yelled, 'Where are my glasses?!' when I was actually wearing them."
14. Laundry
"I realized I turned into my mother when I told my fiancé he was folding the laundry wrong," reflects a common realization many face in relationships. As Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship researcher, states, "Couples often mirror their parents' behaviors, consciously or unconsciously." Understanding these dynamics can help us navigate our relationships more effectively.
15. Elastic waistband
"The first time I bought linen shorts with an elastic waistband, which I've been wearing all the time during quarantine, I realized how much I've embraced comfort over style. As Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a nutritionist, states, 'Comfort in our clothing can reflect a deeper understanding of our personal well-being and priorities during challenging times.'"
16. "God bless America"
Whenever my mom would drop something or stub her toe, she would say, 'God bless America.' Now, for some reason, I do it too," explains Dr. Susan David, an expert on emotional agility, who notes that "our behaviors often mirror those of our parents, as we unconsciously adopt their coping mechanisms." — Dr. Susan David
17. Hot stuff
"I realized I was turning into my dad when I was cooking with some friends, picked up a pot of noodles to drain, and said, 'Coming through — HOT STUFF!'" This humorous moment reflects how we often mirror our parents' behaviors without even realizing it. As Dr. Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist, notes, "We tend to adopt the habits and phrases of those we grow up with, often subconsciously." You can explore more about this phenomenon on his website Jonathan Haidt.
18. Jam
"When I started stealing little jam packets for no reason."
— Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Clinical Psychologist, states, "Our behaviors often reflect deeper psychological patterns, sometimes mirroring those of our parents, as we subconsciously adopt their habits." Understanding these actions can help us recognize the influence of our upbringing on our current choices.
19. Spoiling appetite.
"When my boyfriend got home from work 30 minutes before dinner and grabbed a snack, I warned him he was going to spoil his appetite," reflects a common parental instinct. Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, states, "Our habits and behaviors often mirror those of our parents, especially in everyday situations." This phenomenon highlights how deeply ingrained our upbringing can be in our daily interactions.
20. Waking up
"When I was a kid and I'd yell in the mornings, my mom would say, 'Do you want to wake up the whole neighborhood?!' Fast-forward to me as a teenager, babysitting a kid who was screaming at 8 a.m., and I said, 'Do you want to wake up the whole neighborhood?!' It was scary," says Dr. Lawrence Cohen, a child psychologist and author of *Playful Parenting*. He emphasizes that parents often mirror the behaviors they experienced in their own childhoods, which can lead to surprising moments of self-reflection. For more insights, visit playfulparenting.com.
21. Baking
"When I started getting angry when other people baked in my kitchen."
—Dr. Janet Lansbury, Parenting Expert
22. Jokes
"I used to be great at telling stories and jokes and would tease my mom for being bad at both. Now I occasionally find myself forgetting the middle part of a joke or rambling during stories. As Dr. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, notes, 'We often mirror our parents' behaviors, consciously or unconsciously, which can lead to amusing realizations about ourselves.'"
23. Scrub Daddy
"When I got excited over buying a Scrub Daddy — yep, excited over cleaning supplies! I'm 17. As Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, notes, 'Our preferences often reflect the habits and values we absorbed from our parents, even in the smallest things like cleaning supplies.'"
24. Kitty
"I used to make fun of my mom for watching Dancing With the Stars and The Voice, and here I am, fully invested in finding out who the Kitty is on The Masked Singer. As Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, notes, 'We often find ourselves mirroring the behaviors and interests of those we grew up with, which can be a sign of our own emotional growth and acceptance.'"
25. Grandma
"I haven't actually turned into my mother — I've turned into my GRANDMOTHER. I always have snacks on hand, which I keep in plastic bags that I reuse until there are actual holes in them. As Dr. Dan Siegel, a renowned child psychiatrist, notes, 'Our habits and behaviors are often reflections of our upbringing, and they can evoke cherished memories of those we love.' It wasn't the way I expected to keep her legacy alive, but it does make me smile and remember her, plastic bags and all."
