One of the most important things to remember when dealing with toddlers, preschoolers, and young kids is that they are not just mini grown-ups. They are tiny humans, still learning how the world works, what their bodies can do, what the rules are, and how to get what they want when they want it. That is a lot of big feelings for little bodies, so it's no surprise that sometimes all those emotions can lead to major meltdowns, often at the worst possible moment.
And because all kids, even celebrity and royal kids, are works in progress when it comes to learning things like social rules, self-control, and emotional regulation, meltdowns are just part of the territory. They can be so frustrating in the moment (as any parent who has ever gotten sweaty trying to haul a kicking child out of the grocery store can attest), but we all know that those moments will eventually pass.
Unfortunately for celebrity and royal moms and dads, those moments can sometimes end up caught on film and will live on social media forever. No parent is at their best during a kid meltdown, so we have no judgment for these famous parents. Well, except maybe a little bit for parent No. 2 on our list, because who thinks bringing a toddler to a high-profile fashion show is a good idea?!
Charlize Theron
Oh man, there is nothing worse than when a melting-down kid decides to go horizontal and hits the ground. And if they double down by going full limp noodle? Game over — and every mom knows that it becomes a moment for full mama strength mode to get their kid into the car. We're guessing that was what was happening here for Charlize Theron, who has had better days.
Kim Kardashian
The only thing worse than a toddler having a public meltdown would be having the famously intimidating Anna Wintour watching as said toddler is full body flailing around. This is why fashion shows don't usually have toddlers in the front row, Kim and Kanye!
Kate Middleton
Prince Louis was the talk of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee as he was so clearly OVER IT and wasn't shy about making that known. Mom Kate Middleton had to try to navigate the stressful situation with grace, knowing the whole world was watching, but we know she had to be so annoyed when he clamped a hand over her mouth while she was trying to talk to him!
Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes' face is the face of a woman who is straight up not having a great time. Hauling her child, who is barefoot — because sure, why not be barefoot on the streets of New York City — from the car, mid-meltdown and surrounded by photographers? Absolute nightmare.
Hilary Duff
Yep, babies can have meltdowns, too! Unlike toddlers, though, infants are still easy to carry and can be soothed with a snuggle, some kisses, or a quick boob or bottle. But sometimes their little faces are so tragic that moms like Hilary Duff can't resist capturing the meltdown themselves.
Jennifer Garner
Jennifer Garner has always seemed like one of the most relatable celebrity moms and, hello, this is such a mom moment. We're not sure we've ever met a mom who hasn't had to take matters into her own hands when it comes to removing a melting-down child from a situation. This picture tells us that Jen is relatable and that she's got some super strong biceps to one-arm this kid!
Mariah Carey
For Mariah Carey, the show must go on, even when son Moroccan was turning into a stage-five clinger, about to have a meltdown, during her Hollywood Walk of Fame moment. This picture was right before poor Moroccan was dragged away kicking and screaming. But Mariah is totally unfazed for the photos, like the true diva she is!
Sarah Michelle Gellar
At first glance, this might not seem like an epic meltdown picture. But look closer. We've got a mom, the delightful Sarah Michelle Gellar, with a death grip on her daughter's hand. We've got a kid with a really unhappy look on her face. We've got a mom whose expression says, "Just keep moving." Yep, meltdown in progress!
Victoria Beckham
Here is Victoria Beckham, our favorite Spice Girl, in the midst of a very specific kind of kid meltdown. This is the "toddler is in a confined space and very much does not want to be there" meltdown. Sweet Harper was trying to escape her mom's lap during a soccer game, and Victoria was trying to keep her in one place — always a tall order with little ones!
Heidi Klum
Two undeniable facts from 2009: Heidi Klum's son Henry was a cutie pie and he very much did not want to have his picture taken at the airport. We can't blame him — we find getting ready for a flight to be a stressful situation, too, and we aren't even a famous kid.
Kim Kardashian
We've got to give Kim Kardashian her props for seeming to manage a double cousin meltdown in this picture that she shared on Instagram with the all-too-real caption, "2020 as a photo." Yep, mild panic, screaming, and someone giving a side-eye — all that sounds about right!
Prince William & Kate Middleton
Some meltdowns require all (royal) hands on deck. In 2017, Princess Charlotte had a meltdown while on a royal visit to Germany, and both her mom and dad were there to try to help her get it back together. Poor kid was probably just overtired.
Jennifer Lopez
We see Jennifer Lopez smiling in this red carpet picture from 2015, but we have to imagine she's also gritting her teeth as her son visibly starts melting down. Poor Max: The kid clearly doesn't want to be in the spotlight at this moment!
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union knows that sometimes the only thing you can do in the midst of a toddler meltdown is to let them throw some phones and wear themselves out. Plus, if the toddler having the tantrum has a massive Instagram following (little Kaavia has 1.9 million followers and counting), just film it for some new content!
President Obama
Okay, technically, this isn't President Obama's kid having an Oval Office meltdown. But he is a celebrity dad, and we can't resist sharing one of the all-time classic kid meltdown pictures. His good-natured "can be you believe this?" expression is hilarious!
