Mum-to-be slams ‘lazy’ modern parenting, claims ‘parents nowadays are so weak’

“What's wrong with saying ‘no’ and ‘keep quiet’?” the woman wondered. But not everyone was so quick to agree. 

A disgruntled mum-to-be has lashed at other parents who take on modern parenting styles, labelling them “lazy” and “soft”. 

Sharing her controversial thoughts online, the woman, who is expecting a baby herself soon, was horrified by the lack of discipline some parents show towards their children. 

Following her tirade, a fierce debate has launched about the effectiveness of modern parenting (looking at you, gentle parenting), and it seems not everyone agrees with her thinking. 

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The mum-to-be criticised other parents for failing to discipline their children. Picture: iStock

“Parents are just so helpless”

Taking to Mumsnet, the woman began by complaining about the posts parents share online. 

“Not sure is it just me, but I feel like most parents are just soft and incapable [of disciplining] their own kids,” she said. 

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The mum-to-be noted how many posts she’d witnessed on the parenting forum, asking for advice for their out-of-control children. 

“I constantly see topics here, and not only about small kids doing what they want - screaming, tantrums, wanting stuff,” she said. 

“Parents are just so helpless.”

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The woman described scenes of chaotic children acting out while in public and refusing to follow instructions without any consequences from their parents. 

“When I go on the tube, kids screaming, putting their dirty feet on the seats,” she said. “At home, kids not wanting to eat, and parents act like they own a restaurant immediately cooking something else.” 

The mum-to-be also wanted to know what happened to parents saying “no” or “keep quiet” to their kids when they started throwing tantrums, as it was only creating further issues. 

“Why are parents constantly trying to keep kids entertained and spend a fortune on stupid activities?” she asked. “What's wrong with saying … ‘you eat what’s available’, or ‘you go and play alone while mummy reads a book for one hour’?” 

Leaving kids without discipline or consequences would only lead to further issues, especially as the kids grow up and begin their first steps in the workplace.

“Worst thing is that I see young colleagues 18 and 19 years old coming to work and are just incapable of being a human,” she continued. According to the disgruntled woman, the new workers are “constantly late, all the time have to think about their feelings and emotions can't even complain to HR when they're not doing their job properly”.

“I just don’t get it, really,” she added. 

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“It's easier to criticise when you are not even a parent yourself yet” 

A poll indicated that 57 per cent of people agreed with her take on modern parenting, with many agreeing that it has gone too far. 

“Totally agree,” a parent wrote. “When I was a child, screaming was not allowed. Now I never hear a parent trying to stop their child making unacceptable noise levels.” 

“Everything is so child-centred,” another agreed. “I think it’s unhealthy to prioritise another person to the extent that is the done thing now. It’s detrimental to parents too.”

“I'm a parent and a teacher, and I 100 per cent agree,” penned a third. “So many children with behavioural problems because of a lack of boundaries at home.”

But the mum-to-be’s opinion didn’t fly with the remaining 43 per cent of readers, who told her to get back to them once she actually had her child. 

“Yeah, I was an amazing parent when I was ‘about to be a mum’,” a person said.

“I had loads of good ideas about how I was going to raise my children - most of which either didn’t work or didn’t suit my particular children or I no longer wanted to do once I was an actual parent dealing with an actual small person who had actual feelings and needs of their own.” 

One comment read: “I think it's easier to criticise when you are not even a parent yourself yet.” 

“Hahaha, good luck with that OP!” someone laughed. “Please do come back to the thread in three years and let us know how you’re getting along!”

Originally published as Mum-to-be slams ‘lazy’ modern parenting, claims ‘parents nowadays are so weak’