From paying rent to team sports: The seven 'rules' this mum makes her daughters follow – reasonable or not?

Many of you have parented young children, so you already know that raising children is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world – but it's also one of the most challenging.

In a bid to keep her marbles intact, TikTok star and Aussie mum-of-two Kat Zoe Clark implemented a set of strict rules for her two daughters, aged 18 and 11, to follow.


Kat published her video on TikTok about a month ago where she revealed how she has been directing and guiding her two daughters as they grow up. And according to thousands of people on social media, she’s been doing a pretty good job.

The video received more than 2.9 million views on TikTok, and it quickly struck a chord with a lot of other parents on the platform.

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She detailed the seven house rules her daughters must strictly follow in a now-viral video. Credit: Kat Zoe Clark.

The viral clip likely resonated with parents because the seven rules she has for her daughters are straightforward and logical, and because the rules focus more on her relationship with her daughters rather than punishing or depriving them.

Here are the seven rules Kat has for her two girls, and what she has to say about them:

Location: "Yes, you have to have your location on. Will I check it? Probably not, unless you're running late (and haven't arrived home yet)."

Honesty: "Probably my biggest policy. So I expect my kids to be honest with me, but I will also do the same for them... I don't sugar coat anything."

Parties: "General rule of thumb is, if you're in grade nine, you're home by nine. If you're in grade 10, you're home by 10. Once you're 18, I don't really care when you get home."

Sport: "You have to do a sport. You have to do something to move your body."

School:
"I'm actually really relaxed when it comes to school. If my kids want to drop out though, they've got to have a business plan or a job."

Boyfriends: "My girls can have boyfriends, but if I have a problem with their boyfriend, they have to listen to my opinion about them."

Rent: "My kids pay rent as soon as they turn 18 or get a job."


Many TikTok users and fellow parents thought Kat's rules were reasonable and even complimented her on a job well done.

"This is actually super reasonable," one person wrote in the comments section. A second one agreed and added, "Cool mom, her rules are so chill!"

Then came a supportive mum who said, "I completely agree with all of these."

However, not everyone was on board with all of her rules. For example, some people believed that requiring her daughter to pay rent was a bit unnecessary and extreme.

"You choose to bring them into this world and if they live with you they shouldn't pay rent, they're your kids!" said one user.

Another agreed and added, "To be honest, the rent rule is a little excessive. Why should you make your children pay rent? You might as well live alone."



However, many viewers rallied to her defence and backed her idea. One person, for example, said, "What's the deal with everyone whining about not being able to pay their rent? That is completely normal in New Zealand. From the age of 18 to 25, I paid rent while saving for my first home."

A second person spoke up, saying: "Getting your kids to pay rent is the biggest life lesson because they're not going to live with you forever! Love it, girl! Keep up the amazing job!"


Kat has previously been asked about why she wants her daughter to pay rent. In an earlier video, Kat explained that she charges her daughter $50 per week, money that she does not keep but instead deposits into an investment fund for her daughter's future use to purchase a home.

"I feel like I'm setting her up for success, whilst at the same time, teaching her about the free world because it ain't free to live."

What are your thoughts, members? Do you think it's reasonable for Kat to charge her daughters money for rent once they turn 18? Or should children live rent-free at home? Let us know in the comments below!
 
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Unfortunately my parents did not require any of the five of us kids to pay ‘board’ as we used to call it. I say ‘unfortunately’ because, as other readers have already commented, it would have given us a greater sense of responsibility in being accountable financially, teaching us to be punctual in paying for anything (including rent), and to save; all of which we have all been lacking in.
In saying this, I mean no disrespect for my dear departed parents. I make no complaints. In being, throughout our lives, extremely generous with all of us, the downside was that they never regarded any money they leant us as a debt to be repaid. To be quite honest, I always treated any money they ever leant me as a debt to them, to which I’d add in a 10% interest contribution, the least I could do as a ‘thank you’ for helping me out.
In addition, I quite agree with this mum’s set of rules. Good on her for taking a stand that will put her girls on a good footing as they start out in the world.
 
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