Every parent has their own unique approach to raising children, and the lessons they choose to teach early on can vary widely.

This is perfectly natural. Some parents believe in allowing their kids to go through a process of trial and error, learning from their own experiences. Others may opt for a more disciplined approach, providing clear guidance from the start.

These days, most people don’t mind how others choose to raise their children. It’s generally accepted that parents should make their own decisions. However, that doesn’t prevent people from sharing their opinions—especially online—when it comes to parenting choices.

When I was growing up, chores were just a regular part of life. This applied to my siblings and me, and of course, my mother. Making the beds, washing dishes, and helping with meal prep were all part of the routine. The list of chores seemed never-ending.

While I understand that times have changed, I still believe it’s beneficial for kids to help out around the house, as long as the tasks are safe. Doing chores can instill good morals and a strong work ethic, which can serve them well in the future.

However, not everyone shares this view. A few years back, a mom shared pictures of her son online, explaining how she assigned him various chores. This sparked a debate.

The mother, Nikkole Paulun, 22, mentioned that she has no problem giving her 7-year-old son, Lyle, responsibilities like cooking and cleaning. While this may not seem like a big deal to most, her post attracted a lot of criticism online. Some people were concerned about the potential impact this could have on the boy’s emotional well-being.

Most of the negative feedback focused on Nikkole’s decision to publicly share her son’s tasks. Some worried about how other parents might view it, and others suggested that Lyle might not appreciate his daily activities being exposed to strangers on the internet.

One commenter even accused Nikkole of treating her child as a “slave” to do the tasks she didn’t want to do herself. Another asked if Nikkole could perform all the tasks she was teaching her son or if she was simply putting too much pressure on him.

One person commented, “Don’t get me wrong, a young child shouldn’t be using a stove, but they should learn about responsibility.”

Another took it further, stating, “Lazy moms are everywhere these days. I’ve noticed that many single moms are raising their boys to be the men they wish they had, but it’s good to teach them while they’re young.”

Despite the criticism, many people supported Nikkole’s parenting style. Her post quickly gained traction on Facebook, accumulating over 8,000 comments and 156,000 interactions.

Nikkole clarified that her son Lyle “just helps along the way and earns an allowance,” adding that she enjoys cleaning the house. She also shared that her daughter Ellie would be doing the same chores as Lyle once she was old enough, continuing the family tradition.

What do you think about Nikkole’s approach to parenting and the backlash she received? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.