Most households have a set of rules, some stricter than others. But when do these rules become toxic?
A TikTok user whose handle is Work chronicle shared a video that caused divided opinions. She listed house rules she thought were normal as a child but now considers them toxic.
The list of do’s and don’ts
The TikTok poster shared that she had to take a 20-minute walk each morning. Then she told the viewers that her parents followed “Life 360” all the time, and “every time I’m going too fast, my mom will call me while I’m driving and tell me to slow down.”
She expressed she was not allowed to have a phone in her bedroom, but there was a special place for all phones during nighttime.
During school holidays, the young woman and her siblings had to create an hourly schedule so they would keep the “routine.”
When the doctor recommended therapy, the mom found private therapists she thought were more suitable.
The kids had to keep up grades and report every move
She continued by explaining that the parents did not trust her since the parents always had to know where she went, with whom, etc.
When it comes to school, all children had to have above-average grades, and if one kid got C+, the parents would threaten to put them into a public school.
Finally, the parents were included in all email correspondence between the young woman and her teachers.
@workchronicles123 If you want more toxic upringing rules lmk! #toxicparenting #toxicparent #toxicprentcheck #toxicfamily ♬ original sound – Work chronicles
Many did not find this behavior to be toxic
A family therapist shared a comment, “Definitely too rigid. Parenting is a balance of structure and emotional support.”
Another person shared, “Good job, mom and dad! Setting safe boundaries, instilling responsibility, and truly caring that you have the tools for a healthy, happy life!”
Most people agreed this was good parenting, as a person wrote, “Not toxic you just have parents that were more concerned with being your parent and not your friend, and that’s okay.”
The young woman did a follow-up
After her video went viral and she saw the comments, the original poster shared more things from the household she considered toxic. For example, dad was the one choosing hair salons and hairstyles for the kids, while if they ever get tattoos, they will be thrown out of the will.
Also, changing hair color is a hard no, while the girls were only allowed one piercing per ear.
Again, many people thought the parents were strict but not necessarily toxic.
A person shared, “There is nothing wrong here except rules. When you’re 18, you can support yourself and do your own thing. But they will have gotten you to that point.”
But one mom did not like this comment, as she wrote, “This is beyond strict & is creating a toxic relationship between you & them. I am a mom of 14 &12 yr old sons. I am sorry you are living this.”
Another mom said, “Sounds like some of these rules were safety things.”
Strict, yes, but toxic?
The parents clearly had many rules that children would find annoying. But some of these rules were more about the children’s health than anything else.
Getting 8 to 10 hours of sleep while growing up is necessary, and a phone only disrupts sleep. Taking long walks is good for the body and mind, and having a schedule and keeping it all year round is an excellent way to learn to organize your time.
However, some rules appear too strict, and judging by the young woman’s reaction, she did not develop a trusting and loving relationship with her parents.
What do you think? Were the parents toxic or simply too scared for their children?
@workchronicles123 I realize that the last video caused some issues so here are some more things that were ✨different✨ in my house
♬ original sound – Work chronicles
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