13 Surefire Ways to Embarrass Your Teen

Updated on 9/24/2014 at 4:03 PM

Here's one thing the parenting books don't teach you — how to embarrass your child. More specifically, how to embarrass your teen. Whether it's a unique form of punishment or a way to get a laugh, causing your child a little humiliation is part of your job as a parent. But some kids are not as easily mortified, and embarrassing them requires a little extra effort. Fear not, folks! We have 13 ways to turn your teen beet red in an instant. Source: Shutterstock

Call them by their childhood nickname.

If they didn't have one, just make up something. Source: ABC Family

Squeeze their cheeks.

And squeeze them hard! Source: 20th Century Fox

Rock a bathrobe when dropping them off at school.

For a little extra embarrassment, throw some curlers in your hair. Source: The CW

Throw on some mom jeans.

And put on a dickie for good measure. Source: NBC

Kiss your partner in front of them.

And we're not just talking about a peck on the cheek. Source: New Line Cinema

Wear the same clothes as them.

Because every teen girl wants to see her mom in a crop top.

Bust out some sick dance moves.

And by sick, we obviously mean foolish. Source: Paramount Pictures

Sing as loud as you can.

Bonus points if you don't know the words.

Share their baby photos on Instagram.

Or take a cue from this dad and share a video of your child taking selfies. Source: NBC

Use slang.

And do so out of context. Source: Universal Pictures

Shout at them from your car.

You don't have to say anything in particular. The call to attention should suffice.

Commit a major text fail.

Actually, this may lead to more laughs than blushes. Source: CBS

Try to be the "cool mom."

Trust us — they prefer you act like a mom rather than a friend. Source: Paramount Pictures