Every parent has their unique approach to raising children, including the lessons they choose to instill from an early age. While some parents allow their children to learn through trial and error, others prefer a more structured and strict method. In today’s world, most people agree that how parents choose to raise their children is a personal decision. However, that doesn’t stop the internet from offering unsolicited opinions and criticisms, especially when parenting choices become a topic of discussion.
Growing up, I remember chores being a routine part of life. It wasn’t just me and my siblings; even my mother was involved. We made our beds, did the dishes, and helped with meal prep—tasks that were simply part of daily life. While times have certainly changed, I still believe it’s beneficial for kids to contribute to household chores as long as there’s no risk involved. It helps them develop strong morals and a work ethic that will serve them well in the future.
However, not everyone shares this viewpoint. A few years ago, a woman named Nikkole Paulun, 22, shared photos of her son on social media, detailing how she assigns him various household duties. Nikkole’s approach to parenting quickly became a hot topic, with many people weighing in on whether or not her methods were appropriate.
Nikkole explained that she happily assigns her 7-year-old son, Lyle, chores like cooking and cleaning. While these tasks seem fairly standard, her decision to post about them online sparked a wave of criticism. Some people were concerned about the potential impact on her son’s emotional health and questioned whether such young children should be handling these responsibilities.
The criticism primarily focused on Nikkole’s decision to publicly share her son’s chores, raising concerns about privacy and the possibility that her son might not want his daily activities exposed to strangers on the internet. One commenter went so far as to accuse Nikkole of treating her son like a “slave,” while another questioned whether she was putting undue pressure on him.
Despite the backlash, Nikkole received a significant amount of support. Her post went viral on Facebook, garnering over 8,000 comments and 156,000 interactions. Supporters praised her for teaching her son valuable life skills, and Nikkole herself clarified that her son helps out around the house and earns an allowance for his efforts.
Nikkole also mentioned that her younger daughter, Ellie, would be following in her brother’s footsteps once she’s a bit older, continuing the family tradition of contributing to household chores.
So, what are your thoughts on Nikkole’s parenting style and the criticism she faced? Do you believe children should be assigned chores at a young age, or do you think it’s too much responsibility? Share your opinions with us in the comments section below.