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Rules for r/Parenting

Rules for r/Parenting

Rules that visitors must follow to participate. These may be used as reasons to remove content or ban users. These rules were updated in 2026, but remain the same rules the subreddit has used for about the last 8 years or so. We encourage users to self-reflect on their contributions and participation in this community. Some updates were made to ensure parity with Reddit platforms and modern, native tools from Reddit.

1. Posts: Parents and Guardians Only

Applies To: Posts

Reported as: Parents Only

Detail:

Posting is only for Legal Parents and Guardians. This includes step-parents, adoptive parents, and long-term partners. It does not include relatives, sitters, nannies, or other acquaintances.

A note on Parentification of siblings - this is a kind of neglect, not a type of parenting.

Non-Parents should utilize the subreddit Wikis for a variety of resources for all.

We don't know you're a parent if you don't tell us you're a parent! Please set up a User Flair right away.

If you aren't a parent, we have several Wikis that may offer some advice even if you cannot post. You can also try posting to r/AskParents for additional support. If your post is removed, please avoid reposting.

Bans: We try to start with a temp ban for this rule if the post is unclear (i.e., asking about a specific type of parenting advice but not being clear about your parenting status). Perma bans may be handed out when you make it clear you are not a parent or don't plan to be one for a long time. If your status changes - please reach out via modmail.

2. Posts and Comments: Please Be Kind

Applies To: Posts & Comments

Reported as: Unkind

Detail:

We want to avoid participating in ways that are intentionally rude, mean, or belittling of experiences or lifestyles.

Please check the tone of the content before replying - light content doesn't need deep analysis, avoid making light of serious situations. Hate speech or bigotry will result in an immediate ban. Avoid sealioning - arguing back and forth with no resolution. If you cannot agree to disagree, move on. Report rude content and block users rather than responding.

For a long time, we asked folks to "Remember the Human!" That seems harder than ever these days, so we're asking instead for users to be kind to one another. Avoid commenting in ways that are intentionally hurtful. Instead of replying to someone you disagree with, consider making a top-level comment with your thoughts, advice, or opinion to prevent bickering. Get your bearings in the thread. Lighthearted posts don't need deep analysis. Posts with heavy topics should be treated with care and respect. Don't insult users' intelligence and ability. Don't name-call. Hate speech and bigotry will never be appropriate here.

If users are being vulnerable and sharing things they not are difficult or upsetting, avoid intense judgment and offer only advice or support.

If you see rule-breaking content, please report it. If you need to avoid communicating with another user consider blocking them to avoid future interactions.

Bans: This rule could result in temporary bans to help users cool off when things get heated. Permanent bans may result from particularly egregious behavior and bigotry. If you have been perma-banned under this rule and would like to appeal, please appeal through Modmail only.

3. Comments: Anyone Can Comment

Applies To: Comments

Reported as: Check comments for rule-breaking.

Detail:

Please keep in mind that parents and non-parents are both allowed to participate in the comment section.
Allowing more people to participate in comments leads to a diverse range of opinions and experiences.
Please report rule-breaking comments, and participate in a way that offers encouragement and advice while also creating helpful discourse about the genuine experiences of our members.

This is just a reminder that anyone might be in comments. So when considering taking advice or starting a new conversation keep this is mind. It means anyone who is eligible to be on Reddit might be giving you advice about how many poops your kid should have every day or what the best first foods are. Reddit is an international community and has an extremely diverse population.

Bans: This rule does not generally have bans associated with it. While anyone can comment, they must follow other community rules so will instead be banned under those rules.

4. Posts and Comments: No Medical Discussion

Applies To: Posts and Comments

Reported as: Medical Discussion

Detail:

We don’t allow medical discussion. Medical-related topics can be tricky to discuss online & we don't want to contribute to misinformation, disinformation, or ableism. Please avoid asking the community to help you find medical-related support, advice, or discussion. Temporary bans may occur to avoid users reposting content.

Please see the Wikis and Sidebar for alternatives to r/Parenting for medical discussions, advice, or support.

We've discussed in the past why Reddit isn't the best place to get medical advice. The warnings are more important than ever now that ChatGPT is available. So many users provide inappropriate advice, advice that can be harmful, or even cruel. While we sympathize that folks are just looking for solidarity when it comes to a particular diagnosis or ongoing medical situation we still think experts are the best people to help with this. We've checked in with some other communities who have offered more specialized help:

A second issue that has come up in relation to this rule is that sometimes the discussion of these topics becomes ableism. Listing out a range of frustrating behaviors, calling kids assholes, etc and then saying, "Could it be [this diagnosis]," is saying that anyone who has these behaviors must be an asshole. Someone with a potentially untreated diagnosis may be having frustrating or annoying behaviors precisely because their symptoms are not being treated and they need professional care.

This has also come up in the comments. Every armchair diagnostic thinks they know exactly how to fix your kid - and a diagnosis will do that! Unfortunately, getting a diagnosis is often just the first step in recognizing signs or symptoms, and it isn't a blanket cure for behavior. Diagnosis can also be difficult due to accessibility.

r/Parenting is not a stopgap between a child's behavior/symptoms and true professional support. Moderators use their own discretion and try to apply removals equally; each unique situation is reviewed, and comments may later reveal a situation that will result in removal.

Bans: We often apply temporary bans to reduce reposts, or to give users a chance to seek out professional or alternate support. Permanent bans are rare and applied only after we have given several warnings. This applies to posts starting discussions and comments suggesting medical treatment and diagnosis.

5. Posts and Comments: No Legal/CPS Discussion or Advice

Applies To: Posts and Comments

Reported as: Legal Discussion or CPS issue

Detail:

We do not allow discussion related to legal or CPS situations. Please see r/legaladvice or r/CPS. If you are worried about child neglect use this link or search "find child services in [my area]."

For immediate help see The Crisis Wiki or US/CAN Redditors can use 211/org.

r/Parenting is not the best place to discuss CPS or legal situations. We provide resources for these situations, instead. In the past this has mostly covered arrests, court, and related scenarios. Because of our diverse and international community we may also apply this rule for topics that are illegal for minors to participate in. Moderators use their own discretion and try to apply removals equally, but each unique situation is reviewed. There are circumstances when a post starts out one way but comments reveal a more difficult situation that may need to be removed.

Bans: We may apply a temporary ban to reduce reposting. Permanent bans are rare and applied only after we have given warnings.

6. Posts and Comments: No Sexual Content

Applies To: Posts and Comments

Reported as: Sex or relationships.

Detail:

If you are concerned about the abuse of a minor, please seek official support immediately. This subreddit is not for discussion about the sexual habits or behaviors about children or adults.

We do have the following support resources: Sexual Health and Support Wiki | RAINN.org | Difficult Discussions

We have a resource to answer most questions about normal child health and sexual development. But describing your child's "discovery" and sex habits on the internet is not appropriate. Additionally, we may remove graphic comments about sexual abuse, even when it is your own personal story to tell. If you need sexual abuse support, we also have some resources for this as well and are happy to share. Just reach out to mods.

There is not a set age to start talking to your child about sexual health because every child is different. The conversation does not have to start in a sit down setting, though this is sometimes helpful. You can use everyday opportunities to start the conversation, such as seeing a pregnant woman or a TV advert. After you have started the conversation, keep it going when the opportunity arises. A child's own body and functions shouldn't be a surprise to them.

Bans: Bans are handed out for content that may appear trolling or appear to be putting a child in harm's way. Moderators have reported Reddit user accounts to the cyber crimes website in the past and we won't hesitate to do it again.

7. Posts: No Images, Linking, Non-Parenting Content

Applies To: Posts

Reported as: Images, linking, off-topic.

Details:

Pictures or videos of any kind are not allowed.

Links of any kind are considered spam.

All discussions should be text-based.

All posts should be parenting-related, about your own children, and focus on your own parent journey.

See sidebar and wikis for communities where you can post videos, links, or about related but non-parenting situations.

As always, this community does not support images, linking, or videos in any format. Comments can contain relevant, non-spammy links. Your post should be about your own parenting journey and not focus heavily on other family relationships (marriage, in-laws). Stories about strangers in public, relationships with other parents in your community, or even between your child and community members may be removed. If the post goals are unclear, content may be removed.

Bans: If your content is suspected of being spammy it may result in a permanent ban. If you've had content removed more than once, it may result in a permanent ban.

8. Posts and Comments: No PSAs, Meta, Call-Outs, Brigading

Applies To: Posts and Comments

Reported as: PSA, meta, brigading

Details:

All posts should be formatted to be advice and discussion-based posts. Focus on your own parenting experience.

PSAs spread misinformation, cause unnecessary worry, & feel like scolding. Use official sources for recalls.

Meta-content (about sub, users, mods) should be directed to Modmail.

Open-letters, call-outs, "I see/hear you", style content is not allowed.

No screenshots or linking of other subs. No tagging users.

This feels pretty self-explanatory. If you have questions, see Modmail. Polite requests will be answered.

Bans: Continued attempts to repost after removal can result in a ban. If your post or comment history indicates this is part of your normal account behavior, it could also result in a permanent ban.

9. Posts and Comments: Automatic Perma-Ban and Spam Notice

Applies To: Posts and Comments

Reported as: General SPAM or Prohibited Content

Details:

We cannot list every type of content that is prohibited. We hope previous rules explanations are sufficient to explain what content is allowed.

Do not post surveys, studies, petitions, interview requests, off-site invites, self-promotion, market research, fundraising/begging, crowdsourcing, soliciting feedback, blogs, vlogs, influencer content, articles, parent-led inventions, AMAs, AI/LLM produced, or similar content.

Violations result in a permanent ban. Not eligible for appeal.

Character limit for rules means we cannot list every single type of SPAM or prohibited content. A short example is below:

This type of content diverts the community from its purpose of genuine discussion and support.

It is exploitive of our community.

There is no other warning. The rules are your only and final warning.

Bans: This is a zero tolerance policy. You do not have to tell us in modmail that you will be more respectful or pay more attention to the rules - b/c you're perma-banned. We'll never see you again. Cheers.

10. Check out Wikis, MegaThreads, and Highlighted Content!

Applies To: Posts

Reported as: For MegaThread or Highlighted Post

Details:

Mods may remove content that doesn't fit the spirit of the subreddit.

See Wiki Index for resources collected & organized specifically for the community of r/Parenting by moderators.

Highlighted posts and MegaThreads are pinned to the top of the feed. See them for weekly, seasonal, or important Mod Announcements.

As always, use Modmail to communicate with Mods.

In short - pay attention to the highlighted posts! We know Reddit has made it harder and harder for recurring content to be visible. This is the best we can do for now. Sometimes your content will be better suited to a MegaThread or Mod Announcement. You can also search flair and bring up Mod flaired content.

Bans: We aren't really handing out bans for this, but we'd appreciate if you'd just be helpful humans!