One of these Parents Is Not Like the Others – 9 Surefire Ways to Spot an Imperfect

One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn’t belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?

— Lyrics from  Sesame Street – One Of These Things (is Not Like The Others) 

When we were kids, we loved watching the children’s show, Sesame Street. One of our favorite segments was “One of These Things Is Not Like the Others,” where you had to identify an object that was different from the others in a series. At the risk of sounding like braggarts, we were quite good at identifying things that didn’t belong. It’s a skill we still possess to this day. We can spot an imperfect parent pretty much anywhere we go — in schools, restaurants,  liquor stores, doctors’ offices, even at pharmacies. Quite a skill, we know!

Truth be told, it’s not that hard, since imperfect parents sometimes tend to stand out from their “perfect” counterparts. Here are 9 surefire ways to spot an imperfect parent:

1. On Parent/Teacher nights, they can be spotted wearing all black.
2. They go missing on report card days. 
3. They sit near the exits at school plays and other performances. 
4. They are on a first-name basis with the entire Pharmacy staff and often can be spotted explaining dosage instructions and warnings TO the pharmacists. 
5. They place peculiar special orders in the fast food lines, “Yes, I’ll have a hamburger without the hamburger. And please Supersize the ketchup.”
6. They ask about rewards cards at liquor stores. 
7. They can often be spotted peeling out of the school drop off line.
8. They are eager to discuss “Taco Tuesdays” during curriculum nights. 
9. They cut tags off children’s clothing — in the dressing rooms. 

Are you good at spotting an imperfect parent?  Tell us how do you spot ’em.