Kids fail viral ‘chocolate temptation’ parenting test

It’s the viral parenting test that’s been tried by everyone from Kylie Jenner to Dwayne Wade – and now five families have done it, with hilarious results.

Natalie Brown

@natalieisbrown

3 min read

November 4, 2021 - 10:29AM

Kids fail viral parenting test (Parental Guidance)

It’s the viral parenting test that’s been tried by everyone from Kylie Jenner to Dwayne Wade.

And on last night’s episode of 9’s Parental Guidance, five families gave the famous “chocolate temptation” challenge a try – with hilarious results.

After baking a cake, the children of this week’s five “front row” couples – each with their own very different parenting style – were told not to eat the chocolates left in front of them when left alone in a room with the treats.

Based on “one of the most famous social experiments of all-time, the marshmallow test”, the experiment shows that children who could “delay gratification” had more success when they grew up, series co-host and Australian parenting expert, Dr Justin Coulson, explained.

Five families gave the famous ‘chocolate temptation’ challenge a try – with hilarious results. Picture: Channel 9

Andrew and Miriam’s daughter Grace couldn’t resist. Picture: Channel 9

“Studies have shown that children with high levels of self-control do better at school, they have better relationships,” he said.

“When they grow up they’re more likely to have more successful long-term relationships and hold down jobs.”

The biggest surprise was which kids resisted the treats and which didn’t.

Andrew and Lara’s daughter Chaya … Picture: Channel 9

… managed to fight the urge. Picture: Channel 9

Raphael and Chaya, whose parents Lara and Andrew use an “attachment” style of parenting, visibly fought off the urge to eat the chocolate – and told their mum and dad of their struggle when they came back into the room.

“French nouveau” parents Yann and Donna’s daughter Harper also managed to resist the urge, as did “nature” parents Liadhan and Richard’s brood.

But two of Brett and Tony’s four boys – brought up with a “routine” parenting style – couldn’t fight the urge. And neither did two of “strict” parents Andrew and Miriam’s kids – five-year-old Timothy and 10-year-old Grace.

While Timothy confessed to taking a chocolate as soon as he was asked, Andrew and Miriam told the room that Grace – who first lied about swiping a treat – took “a few weeks” to own up to it.

Dr Coulson said that it wasn’t uncommon that a child with a strict upbringing might not come forward with the truth straight away.

Moments before one of Brett and Tony’s boys realised … Picture: Channel 9

… he’d made a big mistake. Picture: Channel 9

“Some research suggests the stricter the parents, the less likely kids will delay gratification, because as soon as the chains are off the kids and they’re set free, they will do what they want,” he explained.

“The best way to stop [children] lying is they need to know that they can actually tell us the truth, and while there may be conversations, the purpose is not to get them in trouble if they’ve lied. The purpose is to say, ‘How can I become someone safe to tell hard things to?’

“Because while we’re talking about a little bit of chocolate on the kitchen bench right now, once they’re 15 or 16 and they’re at that party on that Friday night and someone’s in trouble, you want them to ring and say, ‘We’ve done something wrong, you’re the only adults we know that we can trust to call.’”

The challenge had the parents in stitches. Picture: Channel 9

The episode also saw the “back row” parents – who will undertake similar challenges next week – decide which two of the “front row” parents had the best parenting styles, and will go on to compete in the super challenges.

Brett and Tony, and Miriam and Andrew were ultimately the winners – leaving both couples overwhelmed and close to tears.

“It’s really important for us to show Australia that two dads can parent just as well as any other parents,” said Tony.