As parents, we continually seek to instill vital life lessons and knowledge in our children, preparing them for future difficulties and possibilities. However, our best intentions do not always work out as planned. Sometimes the lessons we try to impart can accidentally lead to unexpected and, at times, amusingly counterproductive results. Here are twelve true instances about how parental lessons backfired hilariously on children.

1. The Honest Truth

Lesson: Always speak the truth.

Outcome: When the instructor asked little Timmy who helped him with his homework, he proudly replied, “Daddy did, but he said it’s a load of rubbish and a waste of time.”

2. The Sharing Game

Lesson: Sharing means caring.

Outcome: Lucy chose to share her chocolates with the family dog. The subsequent vet bill was a pricey reminder that certain things should not be discussed.

3: Stranger Danger

Lesson: Never speak to strangers.

Outcome: Aunt Mary, who hadn’t visited in years, was greeted with a firm, “Sorry, I can’t talk to you.” “You are a stranger!”

4. The Value of Saving

Lesson: Save for a rainy day.

Outcome: Jake, a five-year-old, diligently saved his allowance, only to toss all of his pennies into a puddle during a thunderstorm, believing it was the appropriate time to use his savings.

 5: The Healthy Diet

Lesson: Eat vegetables to grow stronger.

Outcome: Emily insisted on only feeding her pet hamster broccoli, which resulted in a cranky and undernourished hamster.

6. Clean up after yourself.

Lesson: Always clean up your messes.

Outcome: Tommy took this to heart and used the yard hose to “clean” his room, thoroughly soaking everything in sight.

7. Safety first

Lesson: Always wear a seatbelt.

Outcome: Sarah wouldn’t allow her friends play in her toy automobile unless they found and wore imagined seatbelts.

8: Respect Your Elders.

Lesson: Respect all seniors.

Outcome: Little Ben began bowing and honoring every elderly person he encountered, leaving some perplexed senior individuals in the park.

9: The Value of Hard Work

Lesson: Hard work does pay off.

Outcome: Jessica decided to earn an extra allowance by cleaning the entire house. Unfortunately, she used bleach to discolor the carpets permanently.

10. Be brave.

Lesson: Face your fears and be courageous.

Outcome: Michael, motivated to be brave, attempted to confront a large, barking dog, which resulted in a hurried dash home with tears flowing down his cheeks.

11. Honesty is the best policy.

Lesson: Be truthful no matter what.

Outcome: Zoe loudly remarked during a parent-teacher meeting that her mother thought the teacher’s outfit was “hideous” but insisted on being polite about it.

12: The Value of Money

Lesson: Appreciate the worth of money.

Outcome: Lily attempted to sell her baby brother to a neighbor for $5, assuming she could use the money to buy a new doll.