Mum's controversial playground advice sparks outrage from other parents: 'Entitled brats'

When it comes to parenting debates, few topics ignite as much passion and division as kids sharing, especially toys. If, like me, you're a parent then you have almost certainly found yourself in a situation at the playground where another child wants to play with your little one's belongings.

It's a tricky scenario - do you simply hand over the toys in an attempt to teach your offspring about the value of sharing? Or do you keep your kiddo's possessions safely out of reach of other children and risk being accused of teaching your progeny to be selfish?

One mum, Kiara Izabella, thought she had it all figured out, taking to TikTok to share this blunt directive: "Don't bring toys to the park unless you and your kids are ready and willing to share."

RELATED:

• Mum divides TikTok after sharing video of baby crying on a plane: 'Nightmare'

• Mum's shocking nursery rhyme find outrages parents: 'That's grim'

• TikToker's viral video unleashes huge debate about dining out with kids: 'Annoys me so much'

However, the wave of anger and backlash that followed revealed that these situations are anything but black and white. In fact, her statement sparked a fiery counterpoint and a social media firestorm, highlighting the intense emotions and varied opinions surrounding this issue.

Other parents weigh in

For example, Marci, another parent and TikToker passionately defended the idea of allowing children to bring toys to the park, albeit with boundaries.

"Big no to what she is putting out there," Marci declared, explaining she allows her son to bring a select few toys: two for sharing and two cherished favourites reserved solely for him.

This approach, she argues, teaches boundaries and protects emotional attachments to special items while also allowing for sharing under the right circumstances.

The clip has since amassed over a million views and spawned numerous additional TikTok responses. Evidently, Marci's stance reflects a growing movement among parents who believe in respecting children's autonomy.

As a parent of twins, I find myself particularly torn between the two perspectives expressed by Marci and Kiara. From day one, life for my children has been about sharing, whether it was their parents' attention, toys, or space. On the one hand, teaching them to share felt essential not only for developing empathy and social skills but also for our basic day-to-day functioning! On the other hand, respecting their autonomy and boundaries was equally important to us.

When they were younger and very reluctant to share, even with one another, I remember feeling conflicted. I wanted them to learn the importance of generosity and cooperation, but also needed to respect their need for personal space and control over their belongings.

Are we creating a generation of people pleasers?

Lauren Hunt, an Adelaide mum of two and Primary School Teacher, supports the latter perspective. "If something belongs to a child — rather than just the communal equipment — the child shouldn't have to share their special toy at all. Imagine if it was their comfort toy, e.g., 'bunny,' that goes with them everywhere; you wouldn't expect them to share that, would you?"

Hunt goes on to say the debate on sharing is nothing new, although perspectives appear to be changing.

"There is a real movement in the parenting space regarding sharing, and how it shouldn't be just a given that you 'must share' (which some say created the generation of millennial people pleasers), but rather, it's when you're finished/done with the swing, I'll have the next turn."

Are kids even equipped to share?

According to parenting coach Genevieve Muir, "Kids are not actually meant to be able to share; the ability to do this comes much later in life."

"In terms of should we 'force kids to share' more generally, the evidence says no," Muir explains.

"It's simpler and easier to teach kids that they need to wait until a child is 'done' with something (for example, a swing). Then we help kids by validating that feeling that it can be very hard to wait, we get that... What should we do while waiting?"

"If we dictate sharing to the level she is here, we are very much making this about us... and the kids are not learning to wait, or to develop empathy for the child who wants a turn."

Does forced sharing send the wrong message?

Similarly, Jaimie Bloch, Clinical Director of MindMovers Psychology, argues that forced sharing sends the wrong message to all involved.

"Forced sharing tells your child their needs and boundaries are not as important as someone else's," she states.

SHOP:

• Emma Sleep's beds and mattresses praised by customers: 'We wake up happier'

• The 'great' menopause supplement that reduces hot flashes: 'It's changed my life'

• The serum that 'makes a huge difference to skin' is finally available in Australia: 'I have fewer breakouts'

"This old-fashioned concept does not promote empathy or social skill development in kids. This type of learning instead focuses and places someone else's needs, wants, and desires over your child. This can lead children to feel hard done by, upset, and deregulated, defeating the whole purpose of teaching about sharing in the first place."

Social media reactions

Meanwhile, the social media reactions weren't contained to just TikTok with platforms like Facebook also sharply divided over over the topic of sharing.

"That's it, leave your handbags as home ladies. Cause if it's nice, I might want to play with it and keep it," one person wrote on the issue.

Another commenter exclaimed, "Teach your kids the word NO! You don't get everything you want, just because you want it."

"Kids need to know how to share," another said. "But they also need to know that people don't NEED to share and can say no."

"Parents are raising a generation of entitled brats," a third wrote.

What do you think? Have your say below.

Want the latest celebrity news? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.