KDTime: Life is Lifeing but I'm GLAD I was raised right!

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Episode 107


You ever watch a movie and think, “There’s no way these parents would survive a day in real life”? Yeah, same. This episode was brought up after watching the 2024 Olympics —where we saw the results of years of discipline, encouragement, and good guidance—I’ve been thinking a lot about how important real-life parenting is... especially compared to some of the wildly irresponsible moms and dads we see in film.

While creating this episode, I had the joy of hosting on not one, but two amazing podcasts:
🎙️ "Kay Dee & Jay Dee Laugh Out Loud" — where we let loose and crack up over life, our friendship, what makes us us and more.
🎙️ "Storytelling Sidekicks with Amy and Kay Dee" — Two writers who chat about daily do's and don'ts, movies, tv shows, and an odd obsession with Jim Carrey

All that storytelling got me thinking: some of the most entertaining movies have some of the worst parents. And while it’s funny (and sometimes tragic) to watch, it’s a strong reminder of how grateful I am for the solid foundation my own parents gave me. Parents who didn’t dip out when things got hard. Parents who taught me right from wrong. Parents who corrected me with love. Parents who were present.

Let’s take a look at a few movies where the parents missed the mark—not out of malice, but because they were too distracted, too self-involved, or just not paying attention.

And at the time where the 2024 Olympics was still fresh in global memory—where athletes proudly thanked their moms, dads, grandparents, and guardians—it felt like the perfect moment to reflect. Because behind every Simone Biles or Noah Lyles is usually a parent or mentor who showed up and did the hard stuff: taught discipline, gave love, set boundaries, and never quit.

Which brings me back to the movies…

Here are the films featuring unintentionally terrible parents in no particular order—funny, sad, chaotic, or just plain “yikes”—that remind me why good parenting matters so much.

🎬 Movies with Unintentionally Terrible Parents

  • Matilda (1996) – Her parents ignored her intelligence and let her raise herself…until she adopted herself out!

  • Home Alone (1990 & 1992) – Twice. They left their kid behind TWICE!

  • Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) – Sweet but chaotic. Dressing up as a nanny to see your kids? Love-driven, but questionable.

  • Coraline (2009) – Parents too distracted to notice their daughter slipping into a dark alternate dimension.

  • Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) – Most of the parents were enablers, letting their kids turn into literal blueberries or fall down trash chutes.

  • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – Ferris’s parents = absolutely unaware he skipped school in epic fashion.

  • Beetlejuice (1988) – Lydia’s parents couldn’t be less interested in her paranormal cries for help.

  • Step Brothers (2008) – These grown men never learned how to adult because of enabling, passive parents.

  • Mean Girls (2004) – “I’m not like a regular mom…” Actually, you're worse.

  • Brave (2012) – Good intentions from Queen Elinor, but wow—did she try to force that royal mold too hard.

  • Back to the Future (1985) – Marty’s parents? Awkward and emotionally stunted until time-travel fixes it.

Honorable Mention

The Parent Trap (1998) – Who splits up twins and never tells them?!?

💛 Why This Matters to Me

Growing up, I had parents/guardians who showed up, stuck around, and taught me right from wrong. They didn’t chase clout, fame, or perfection—they chased integrity. They were the steady hands that showed me how to balance freedom with responsibility. 

And while movies give us over-the-top examples of what not to do, real life demands more. I’m thankful for my parents who gave me love, boundaries, structure, and support. They were never perfect (who is?), but they were present, and that made all the difference.

So here's to all the parents and guardians out there doing the daily work—teaching right from wrong, listening when it matters, and sticking around when life gets messy.

Because in real life, we don’t need a plot twist—we just need people who care.

🎙️ What’s Next?

I brought this conversation over to my own podcast KDTIME, where nostalgia and culture intersect with real talk. If you love diving into movies, music, and millennial memories (with a few good laughs and life lessons along the way), tune in. And catch me on my other shows:

  • Kay Dee & Jay Dee: Laugh Out Loud – We laughed so hard, we cried.

  • Storytelling Sidekicks with Amy and Kay Dee – Where stories meet soul.

What movie parent made you go, “Oh noooo”? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

Drop a comment or DM me after you check out my episodes on Kay Dee & Jay Dee Laugh Out Loud and Storytelling Sidekicks. Let’s celebrate real stories, real lessons, and the real heroes behind the scenes.

#ParentingFails #MovieParents #OlympicEnergy #PodcastLife #KDTIME #GratefulHeart #MillennialNostalgia

Full Episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ryugCDbOPpV3zc4cGxhRk?si=3c925eb08abf47c2

Storytelling Sidekicks: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CqxqsY8x5XYOX3Ui6usRR?si=fb75223ace474e61

Kay Dee & Jay Dee Laugh Out Loud: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NOHxnGDdtR5ohbwJXvQGj?si=a580aef6594e46d0

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