I’m a controversial mum – I don’t let my daughter play out in the parks & never limit her scrolling on TikTok
A MUM has revealed her “controversial things” she does as a mum to her nearly 14 year old daughter.
Lous took to social media to ask other parents what their controversial parenting techniques are, whilst revealing her own.
The video, which was shared on her account called ‘lous_life’, has got over 68K views with many interacting with the video.
Speaking to camera, Lous said: “I have never, and will never limit screen time.
“She uses her phone when she wants, she goes on her laptop when she wants, she has the TV on when she wants.
“Maybe I would be different about that if she wasn’t so busy all the time. So she does extra curricular activities six days a week.
“So when she’s done her homework, and done what she needs to do and she decides she wants to lay on the sofa with some snacks and watch TV and scroll on TikTok, fine – that’s what I do when I’ve got everything I need to do.”
Lous also revealed that she doesn’t make her daughter ask for any snacks, or permission to eat any of the food as she feels like it gives her kids “a negative relationship with food.”
Providing that she has had her breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lous doesn’t mind if she heads to the kitchen for a snack, whether that be carrots and humour, or a tub of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
Another controversial parenting technique Lous has is not letting her child play out.
Lous said: “She doesn’t play out, and she’s never played out.
“Like I said, she is busy but also as we know from the generation of kids that grew up hanging around in parks as teenagers, nothing positive or good happens in those parks from my experience or recollection.
Bedtime tips for mums
IF YOU'RE fed up with your toddler refusing to go to bed, then keep reading.
A child health expert has revealed the five steps you need to take to calm your kid down for a good night’s sleep.
Dr Kaylene Henderson spoke to Nine Honey about what to do if your toddler just won’t seem to settle for the night.
Each child is different and needs a different amount of sleep depending on their age, but these easy steps can make the evenings a little easier for parents.
Just like adults, children need enough time to wind down before being put to bed.
One step to take is to ensure they have enough time to properly wind down after a busy day.
The expert recommends one to two hours to transition toddlers into bed time.
And it’s just as important that parents take the time to wind down and be more present to help toddlers feel calmer.
Dr Henderson explains: “Our children are like barometers of household tension after all.
“If we want our children to wind down, we need to make an effort to switch off – from our phones, our work emails and from the many other sources or distraction competing for our attention.”
We’ve all been told to turn our screens off before going to bed because the blue light stops our brains from producing melatonin, our body’s sleep hormone.
So the expert suggests turning it off 60 to 90 minutes before bed to ensure children get a good night’s sleep.
Music and meditation can also help get your child into the land of nod claims the expert.
She adds that slow-paced music, of around 60 beats per minute, can help their breath, heart rate, brain waves, and relax their muscles.
“There are also lovely guided meditations developed specifically to help young children to get to sleep at night.
“Headspace for Kids dedicated section on sleep that is customised to three age groups: five and under, six to eight and nine to 12 – and you can try it for free,” she adds.
Finally, Dr Henderson recommends sticking to a nightly routine every night to help your toddler drift off easily.
When children know what to expect every night they find it easier to relax, and of course, fall asleep.
One of the best ways to do this is with a bedtime story.
She adds: “Remember, the goal is to transition our little ones towards sleep, so bedtime stories tend to be the perfect tool, in the perfect place.”
“If she wants to go out with friends, she can, I’ll drop her off. I’ll even pick them up and drop them off. It’s not a problem, but there’s no playing out.
“It’s not a thing in my household.”
Lous also allowed her daughter to get her legs waxed when she was in year six as she doesn’t see why she needs to “feel insecure about her hairy legs.”
Hundreds of people rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts, with many agreeing with Lous parenting style.
One wrote: “Millennial mums are healing my inner child I swear.”
Another added: “I get this, and actually I’m grateful for your post. I give myself such a hard time with my beautiful boy, and he’s such a good good boy!!
“He’s just a dream but follows what we say/commend, therefore I do need to trust him a bit more! So thanks for this.”
A third said: “I do all these things and constantly doubt myself but hearing you say I thought, wow what a great mum! perspective huh!”
She doesn’t play out, and she’s never played out.
Lous
“I’m the same… I do have rules, but my children are human beings with feelings and emotions. And all of my kids tell me everything, we have no secrets,” a fourth said.
But not everyone was a fan, with some saying her rules were “ridiculous apart from not playing out.”
They continued: “She’s your child not your bestie.”