A MUM has been slammed for forcing her two kids to pay for their dinner with their Christmas money.
UK-based Katie King, 31, went viral on social media after sharing a video of her children, Louie, eight, and Arna, five, enjoying a meal out at .
Katie King was slammed for making her kids pay for their own mealCredit: tiktok/@katehomelearns
She was branded ‘disgusting’ after her kids paid for their own McDonald’sCredit: tiktok/@katehomelearns
In the clip , the mum wrote: “Yes, they eat McDonald’s, yes, I made them pay for it with their own they got for .”
In the caption, the mum stated it was ‘home education.’
However, the video was met with a huge amount of negativity after going viral with 1.2 million views, with many claiming the kids shouldn’t have to pay.
One person wrote: “The type of parent that charges their child with rent at 16.”
Another commented: “Parents buy food, end of.”
“This type of education is DISGUSTING,” penned a third.
Hitting back, the mum shared a follow-up video on her account (@ katehomelearns ) explaining her reasoning.
She said: “They bought themselves McDonald’s and people are mad about it.
“A little bit of context, we were just about to start their dinner and they asked for a McDonald’s and I said guys it’s just been Christmas like you’ve had a lot recently if you want a McDonald’s you got some money for Christmas.
“I’m happy for you to buy yourselves a McDonald’s and they both agreed that that’s what they wanted to do. so I let them. I don’t really see the problem.”
Katie added that her children were also home-schooled and wanted to teach them about the importance of money and choices, adding that it was their money to spend how they wanted.
She continued: “They chose what they wanted to spend their money on. They had fun doing it.
“So I really just can’t understand what the problem is. It was also a learning opportunity for them.”
“They’re very loved and it is not a case that if they didn’t buy a McDonald’s then they wouldn’t eat,” she explained. “So yeah I just wanted to put that out there because people are coming for me in the comments.”
Different parenting styles explained
There are four recognised styles of parenting explained below:
Authoritarian Parenting
What some might describe as “regimental” or “strict” parenting.
Parents with this style focus on strict rules, obedience, and discipline.
Authoritarian parents take over the decision-making power, rarely giving children any input in the matter.
When it comes to rules, you believe it’s “my way or the highway”.
Permissive Parenting
Often referred to as “soft parenting” or “yes mums/dads”.
Permissive parents are lenient, only stepping in when there’s a serious problem.
They’re quite forgiving and they adopt an attitude of “kids will be kids”.
Oftentimes they act more like friends than authoritative figures.
Authoritative Parenting
Authoritative parents provide their children with rules and boundaries, but they also give them the freedom to make decisions.
With an authoritative parenting style, parents validate their children’s feelings while also making it clear that the adults are ultimately in charge.
They use positive reinforcement techniques, like praise and reward systems, as opposed to harsh punishments.
Neglectful or Uninvolved Parenting
Essentially, neglectful parents ignore their children, who receive little guidance, nurturing, and parental attention.
They don’t set rules or expectations, and they tend to have minimal knowledge about what their children are doing.
Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don’t devote much time or energy to meeting children’s basic needs.
Uninvolved parents may be neglectful but it’s not always intentional.
A parent with mental health issues or substance abuse problems, for example, may not be able to care for a child’s physical or emotional needs consistently.
After responding to the comments, Katie saw an influx in parents who supported her decision.
One penned: “I can’t understand this, McDonald’s is a treat. They bought themselves a treat? How can anyone be mad about that!”
“Teaching them the value of their own money amen to this! I do this with my son,” claimed another.
Someone else added: “There’s nothing wrong with them buying a “treat” by eating out. It’s important they learn the value of money.”
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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