15 Times Mom and Dad Screwed Up (and Everything Turned Out Fine)

Sometimes bad things happen to good parents, leaving us to feel — for the moment — completely and totally inept. In the first year, it can happen in the form of forgetting to bring diapers for a day out on the town (I speak from experience). Down the road, your normally guarded-like-a-hawk toddler can find his way into a bag of chocolate chips, and, well, the rest is history. And once they hit preschool and have a few hours on their own every day? Well, there's no telling how Mom and Dad's influence will manifest itself.

Because it's (almost) impossible to raise a child without a sense of humor, we don't deny the fact that every now and then, these things happen. We embrace it. Case in point, the following 15 hilarious (and totally forgivable) real-life incidents. Source: Instagram user luccalovedit

01
When the Baby Dove Into His Toy Box

When the Baby Dove Into His Toy Box

. . . and you took a picture instead of rescuing him. Source: Instagram user carlychan

02
When You Wanted Her to Appreciate Music

When You Wanted Her to Appreciate Music

Just not this music. Source: Instagram user mayaislove

03
When You Put Product in Your Toddler's Hair

When You Put Product in Your Toddler's Hair

. . . and he ended up looking like The Joker. Source: Instagram user bryttnywhite

04
That Time You Had to Lick Food Off His Face

That Time You Had to Lick Food Off His Face

They never warn you about this in the baby carrier brochures. Source: Instagram user daddyswithkids

05
When You Forgot Diapers

When You Forgot Diapers

. . . but luckily had a pair of his big sister's undies ready for action. Source: Instagram user brynnieskitchen

06
When He Was a One-Leg Wonder

When He Was a One-Leg Wonder

Dad had a 50 percent chance of getting this right. Source: Instagram user taradru

07
When You Remembered to Babyproof For Safety

When You Remembered to Babyproof For Safety

. . . but not to censor the koozie cabinet. Source: Instagram user babyruth82

08
When Walking Is Hard Enough

When Walking Is Hard Enough

And then when your shoes are on the wrong feet, walking is downright impossible. Source: Instagram user mstinkiebelle

09
When You Meant to Give Her a Few Cheerios

When You Meant to Give Her a Few Cheerios

. . . and she had other plans. Source: Instagram user golfshirt6

10
When He Was Turning 7

When He Was Turning 7

But you bought him 50th birthday balloons instead. Source: Instagram user peggypoyser

11
When the Tooth Fairy Took the Day (Er, Week) Off

When the Tooth Fairy Took the Day (Er, Week) Off

. . . and your daughter gave you this sad and not-so-subtle reminder. Source: Instagram user shanemjohns

12
When She Dreamed Big

When She Dreamed Big

Priorities, people. Priorities. Source: Instagram user michelebell

13
When You Accidentally Left a Tub of Margarine on the Table

When You Accidentally Left a Tub of Margarine on the Table

And she dug into it in about six seconds. Source: Instagram user bexcherokee

15
When You Let Your Baby Discover Nutella

When You Let Your Baby Discover Nutella

And it turned out he liked it more than pureed squash. Go figure! Source: Instagram user katerum