Young mum criticised for 'lax parenting' after toddler paints on white walls
- Replies 19
On Wednesday, a toddler gave his mum a shock of her lifetime by using a bottle of red paint to 'redecorate' their spotless white walls.
Sydney resident Indy Clinton, 25, uploaded the shocking video to TikTok showing her 1-year-old son, Navy, covered in red paint.
If the child had been doing nothing more than having fun with paint, everything would have been perfectly fine.
But when he smeared the paint all over the white doors, floorboards, and even their priceless coffee table, it appeared as though the kid was trying to show off a little bit of his artistic side.
'You. Are. Kidding,' Indy began the video, 'Are you joking? Navy, stop. What did you just do?' After that, she takes a look all around at the chaos in her living room, and then she bursts out laughing.
When Indy saw the mess, she told her son to ‘stop’ before laughing about it. Credit: Instagram.
The lighthearted video on TikTok has already amassed over 5.7 million views on the platform, and the hundreds of users who took their time to comment surprisingly have a variety of different opinions about the clip. More particularly – on Indy's parenting style and how she disciplined her child.
Although some people found the video to be 'cute' and 'funny,' others had more intense reactions to it and even criticised Indy for her 'lax' approach to the situation.
'Personally, I wouldn't let that slide. That's where I draw the line,' one user wrote in the comments. A second one went on to ask, 'How long was he left alone to do all that?'
Meanwhile, a third person pointed out that Indy was responding to the issue by laughing out loud, something she should not be doing.
'He thinks it's funny because you're laughing. I don't think he knows right from wrong because you always laugh,' they said.
A fourth one joined the conversation and added: 'I'm all for gentle parenting, but kids need to know right from wrong.'
Others defended Indy's parenting approach, asserting that 'blowing up the situation' would not do anything to solve the issue and that it was somewhat inappropriate given the circumstances.
'He is literally a one-year-old. I don't think yelling at him would help,' one person said in the comments.
A second user went on to add: 'Is she supposed to execute them on sight? Maybe a long talk and consequences were had after and off camera?'
In the past, Indy has spoken in public discussions about how she brings up her children, as well as the principles and guidelines that she adheres to when it comes to being a parent. The mum is now expecting her second child, a daughter.
In another TikTok video, the mother is heard saying that there are certain things that she will never do to either of her children in her role as a parent.
‘I will never physically discipline my child’
When Indy was a little girl, her parents disciplined her through the use of physical punishments, such as hitting her with a belt or a wooden spoon when she misbehaved.
But now that she is a mum herself, she says that 'violence' of this kind is not the appropriate method to discipline children, especially since they're still growing up.
Professor David Hawes, a child psychologist who studies behavioural patterns, has said that research shows that spanking can make bad behaviour worse.
'Parents have become much more aware that a big part of managing their kids' behaviour is managing child emotions. This is a positive shift, but it has left many parents confused about how to [deal with] misbehaviour or aggression,' said Mr Hawes.
‘I will never make them kiss or hug older relatives’
The second 'rule' that she will not be adhering to is the one that requires her to encourage children to hug and kiss their elderly relatives.
'If he doesn't want to kiss and hug somebody, he doesn't have to. I don't care if it's family; he does not have to do it. I want people to know and respect his choices - it's his body, his rules,' she said.
‘I will never make my children pay rent’
Besides that, the mum has no intention of ever asking her future children to contribute to rent.
'I will never make him pay rent. I understand why families do make their children pay rent; it teaches them good habits,' said the mum, adding, 'But I brought this child into the world, so I'm not going to make them pay rent at 15.'
'You brought that child into the world, so you do not need to give them money stress.'
Children don't learn good habits from violence. Credit: Sanford Health. (Stock photo)
‘I will never impose a strict curfew’
Indy grew up in a 'strict' household, so instead of enforcing bedtimes and limiting after-hours activities, she now takes a more relaxed approach.
'I don't want to be a strict parent when it comes to parties and curfews because I want him to be completely open with me. The stricter you are, the more rebellious the kids are. It's just a fact,' she said.
'I was brought up in the strictest family ever, and being the youngest of five I feel like I was always the baby... I want to be the mum that he feels comfortable calling first if he needs anything, at any time, and I'll be there in my pyjamas with some chicken nuggets.'
‘I will never make them eat food they don't like’
Even though she has a sponsorship deal with a food delivery app and often posts photos of her favourite meals and dishes, Indy said she won't force Navy and her unborn daughter to eat certain foods – especially if they don't find them appetising.
'I will never force him to eat anything he doesn't want to eat. Obviously, I'm going to guide him to try foods he hasn't had before, but I'm not going to blackmail him like: “If you don't finish what's on your plate, you don't get dessert”,'’ she said.
So what do you think, folks? Do you agree with how Indy raises her kids? If you can think of any parenting rules that would fit in with the list, please do not hesitate to share them with us in the comments section!
Sydney resident Indy Clinton, 25, uploaded the shocking video to TikTok showing her 1-year-old son, Navy, covered in red paint.
If the child had been doing nothing more than having fun with paint, everything would have been perfectly fine.
But when he smeared the paint all over the white doors, floorboards, and even their priceless coffee table, it appeared as though the kid was trying to show off a little bit of his artistic side.
'You. Are. Kidding,' Indy began the video, 'Are you joking? Navy, stop. What did you just do?' After that, she takes a look all around at the chaos in her living room, and then she bursts out laughing.
When Indy saw the mess, she told her son to ‘stop’ before laughing about it. Credit: Instagram.
The lighthearted video on TikTok has already amassed over 5.7 million views on the platform, and the hundreds of users who took their time to comment surprisingly have a variety of different opinions about the clip. More particularly – on Indy's parenting style and how she disciplined her child.
Although some people found the video to be 'cute' and 'funny,' others had more intense reactions to it and even criticised Indy for her 'lax' approach to the situation.
'Personally, I wouldn't let that slide. That's where I draw the line,' one user wrote in the comments. A second one went on to ask, 'How long was he left alone to do all that?'
Meanwhile, a third person pointed out that Indy was responding to the issue by laughing out loud, something she should not be doing.
'He thinks it's funny because you're laughing. I don't think he knows right from wrong because you always laugh,' they said.
A fourth one joined the conversation and added: 'I'm all for gentle parenting, but kids need to know right from wrong.'
Others defended Indy's parenting approach, asserting that 'blowing up the situation' would not do anything to solve the issue and that it was somewhat inappropriate given the circumstances.
'He is literally a one-year-old. I don't think yelling at him would help,' one person said in the comments.
A second user went on to add: 'Is she supposed to execute them on sight? Maybe a long talk and consequences were had after and off camera?'
In the past, Indy has spoken in public discussions about how she brings up her children, as well as the principles and guidelines that she adheres to when it comes to being a parent. The mum is now expecting her second child, a daughter.
In another TikTok video, the mother is heard saying that there are certain things that she will never do to either of her children in her role as a parent.
‘I will never physically discipline my child’
When Indy was a little girl, her parents disciplined her through the use of physical punishments, such as hitting her with a belt or a wooden spoon when she misbehaved.
But now that she is a mum herself, she says that 'violence' of this kind is not the appropriate method to discipline children, especially since they're still growing up.
Professor David Hawes, a child psychologist who studies behavioural patterns, has said that research shows that spanking can make bad behaviour worse.
'Parents have become much more aware that a big part of managing their kids' behaviour is managing child emotions. This is a positive shift, but it has left many parents confused about how to [deal with] misbehaviour or aggression,' said Mr Hawes.
‘I will never make them kiss or hug older relatives’
The second 'rule' that she will not be adhering to is the one that requires her to encourage children to hug and kiss their elderly relatives.
'If he doesn't want to kiss and hug somebody, he doesn't have to. I don't care if it's family; he does not have to do it. I want people to know and respect his choices - it's his body, his rules,' she said.
‘I will never make my children pay rent’
Besides that, the mum has no intention of ever asking her future children to contribute to rent.
'I will never make him pay rent. I understand why families do make their children pay rent; it teaches them good habits,' said the mum, adding, 'But I brought this child into the world, so I'm not going to make them pay rent at 15.'
'You brought that child into the world, so you do not need to give them money stress.'
Children don't learn good habits from violence. Credit: Sanford Health. (Stock photo)
Indy grew up in a 'strict' household, so instead of enforcing bedtimes and limiting after-hours activities, she now takes a more relaxed approach.
'I don't want to be a strict parent when it comes to parties and curfews because I want him to be completely open with me. The stricter you are, the more rebellious the kids are. It's just a fact,' she said.
'I was brought up in the strictest family ever, and being the youngest of five I feel like I was always the baby... I want to be the mum that he feels comfortable calling first if he needs anything, at any time, and I'll be there in my pyjamas with some chicken nuggets.'
‘I will never make them eat food they don't like’
Even though she has a sponsorship deal with a food delivery app and often posts photos of her favourite meals and dishes, Indy said she won't force Navy and her unborn daughter to eat certain foods – especially if they don't find them appetising.
'I will never force him to eat anything he doesn't want to eat. Obviously, I'm going to guide him to try foods he hasn't had before, but I'm not going to blackmail him like: “If you don't finish what's on your plate, you don't get dessert”,'’ she said.
So what do you think, folks? Do you agree with how Indy raises her kids? If you can think of any parenting rules that would fit in with the list, please do not hesitate to share them with us in the comments section!