A MUM has been dubbed ”selfish” after she ignored her crying tot’s demands to share her ice cream.
Mother Rebecca, from New Zealand, was unfazed as she enjoyed the frozen summer treat while her son had a tantrum because he wanted to have some too.
She later claimed that she asked the four-year-old if he wanted the same ice cream as her, but he insisted on the cookies and cream one[/caption]
The now-viral clip has left viewers divided, as some praised Rebecca for not giving in to the ”spoiled” four-year-old’s demands.
However, there were also plenty of those who called the mother ”selfish” for ignoring her child while he was in distress.
On TikTok, Rebecca shared how she had treated her son to an Oreo ice cream as a reward after a trip to the doctor.
The mum claimed he ate the whole thing before she had even opened her mango treat.
With his mouth still covered in chocolate, the little boy started crying, asking for his mother to share some of her ice cream too.
In the video, Rebecca can be seen ignored his demands and continued eating her treat while the child had a ”meltdown”, panicking that she would finish the ice cream before sharing.
In the last few seconds of the footage posted under the username @wildandmotherly, the mum turned around seemingly to give the crying child a taste of the ice cream.
Since being uploaded online, the video has racked up more than a whopping 32million views, sparking a heated debate in the comments.
”The way she ignored him healed me,” one viewer laughed, and another said, ”Kids getting humbled is the best feeling ever”.
”As a mother, I love when kids don’t get what they want, lmao, how else will they learn?” a third agreed.
”Kids need to learn from an early age that they aren’t entitled to everything. I’m sure (mum) asked him a thousand times if he wanted the same ice cream as her, but he kept insisting on the Oreo,” one user shared their thoughts.
Others weren’t impressed with the ”selfish” mother’s parenting, saying the boy felt ”excluded”.
”At least let him try some,’ one woman said.
Another critic replied: ”I feel sorry for him.”
Different parenting techniques
Here are some widely recognised methods:
Authoritative Parenting
This technique will often foster independence, self-discipline, and high self-esteem in children.
It is often considered the most effective, this technique is where parents set clear expectations – enforcing rules – whilst also showing warmth and support.
Authoritarian Parenting
This is opposite to authoritative parenting, as it is where the parent sets high demands but is low on responsiveness.
It involves ensuring the child is obedient and often employ punitive measures. While this can lead to disciplined behaviour, it may also result in lower self-esteem and social skills in children.
Permissive Parenting
Permissive parents tend to be indulgent and lenient, often taking on a role more akin to a friend than an authority figure. They are highly responsive but lack demandingness, granting children a lot of freedom. This method can nurture creativity and a free-spirited nature but may also result in poor self-regulation and difficulties with authority.
Uninvolved Parenting
Uninvolved or neglectful parenting is marked by low responsiveness and low demands. Parents in this category offer minimal guidance, nurturing, or attention. This often leaves children feeling neglected, which can have significant negative effects on their emotional and social development.
Helicopter Parenting
Helicopter parents are extremely involved and overprotective, frequently micromanaging their children’s lives. Although their goal is to protect and support, this approach can hinder a child’s ability to develop independence and problem-solving skills.
Free-Range Parenting
Free-range parenting encourages children to explore and learn from their surroundings with minimal parental interference. This method promotes independence and resilience but requires a safe and supportive environment to be successful.
Attachment Parenting
According to Marriage.com, Attachment parenting focuses on physical closeness and emotional bonding, often through practices such as co-sleeping and baby-wearing. This approach aims to create secure attachments and emotional well-being, but demands significant time and emotional commitment from parents.
Each of these parenting techniques has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. The key is to find a balanced approach that aligns with the family’s values and meets the child’s needs for a healthy, happy upbringing.
In response to the divided opinions, Rebecca explained what had happened that day in a follow-up video.
”We are allowed ice cream and I included myself because I was a good girl at the doctor’s too,” she joked.
She claimed that she asked the four-year-old if he wanted the same ice cream as her, but he insisted on the cookies and cream one.
”He eats his walking back to the car, I eat mine in the car, and the rest is history,” she said.
”Then I get home, watched the video again, and it made me laugh, so I decided to post it because I think it shows a fun reality about parents sometimes.”