Different Approaches to Parenting
How we choose to raise our children and the lessons we decide to ingrain in them from an early age differs from parent to parent. Some mothers and fathers take a more disciplined approach, while others prefer to let their kids go through a try and fail cycle so that they can learn right and wrong through their own experiences.
Now, for the most part, how one chooses to style their son or daughter’s upbringing is their business, no one else’s. Yet that doesn’t stop people commenting and criticizing online every time a debate is sparked over some parental decision or another…
The Value of Chores
I remember when I was younger, doing chores was considered part and parcel of everyday life. I mean for me and my siblings, of course, not only my mother. Doing dishes, making beds, helping to prepare food before mealtimes… the list goes on and on.
I understand times change, but in my mind getting children to help out with tasks around the house – providing there’s no danger involved – is a great way to instill values and a work ethic that will come in handy later on.
Nikkole Paulun’s Experience
It seems, though, that not everyone agrees. According to reports, one mother found this out the hard way a few years back after she uploaded pictures of her son and shared her method of giving him chores to do with the internet.
The mom in question, 22-year-old Nikkole Paulun, reportedly explained how she proudly put her 7-year-old son, Lyle, to work around the house, where he would help out with things like cooking and cleaning.
Nothing too dramatic, I’m sure we can all agree, but that didn’t stop online detractors from verbally attacking her and expressing concern over the potential impact on the child’s emotional well-being.
The Critics Speak Up
The bulk of the critics targeted the fact that the mother had shared her son’s chores online, not only potentially making other parents question themselves but also flagging the idea that the child might not want to have his daily activities shared with a large number of strangers online.
One woman went as far as to write in the comments that Nikkole couldn’t just let her child “be your slave. Or to do the chores that you yourself don’t want to do.”
Another wrote: “So I take it you can do everything ur teaching ur son to do or are you just putting pressure on ur child?”
A third added: “Don’t get me wrong… a child should know responsibility. .. but should not be operating a stove that young.“
A fourth wrote: “Lazy mothers are sweeping the country. It’s good to teach them while they’re young, but I notice a lot of these single moms are just raising their boys to be the man that they wish they always had.“
The Defense
There were many who defended Nikkole in the comments too, with her post gaining viral status after it garnered over 8,000 comments and 156,000 interactions on Facebook.
Nikkole herself insisted that she enjoys doing housework and that her son Lyle “just helps along the way & earns an allowance as well.”
What’s more, she added that her then-one-year-old daughter, Ellie, would be following in her elder sibling’s steps and doing the same thing when she was a little older.
Embracing Responsibility
Teaching children responsibility through household chores is a topic that sparks debate. However, in a world that is constantly changing, it’s vital to find ways to instill important values in our children. Whether it’s through chores or other means, it’s about preparing them for the future and helping them become independent individuals.
So, what are your thoughts on Nikkole’s parenting approach and the criticism she received? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Love and Peace
