Parental Guidance viewers lose it over shock scene: 'I am screaming'

Parental Guidance viewers were left shocked on Monday night when 'lighthouse parents' Sammy and Jason shared how they choose to parent their four young children.

They explained that lighthouse parenting involves being watchful but hands-off and is supposed to encourage children to be independent while knowing their parents are there if they need them.

"It's an opportunity for them to showcase how independent they can be and give them some trust as well," Sammy explained.

However, the other parents and viewers at home were horrified to learn Sammy and Jason allow their 10-year-old and six-year-old to go to the beach and swim solo.

RELATED:

• Parental Guidance: Free-range parents reveal truth about 'awkward' win

• Parental Guidance's ‘strict’ parents cause outrage with smacking admission

• Parental Guidance viewers in tears over 'Stranger Danger' challenge: 'Intense'

"I feel ill," Team mum Leanne told the couple after watching video of the children swimming while the parents watched from their balcony.

"That water can change in an instant, and from where you are and where the kids are... they're gone," she added.

The couple were quick to say the lifeguards are always there if anything should go wrong, as the children only swim between the flags.

"Are the lifeguards then the babysitters?" host Allison Langdon questioned, with the pair saying they don't consider the lifeguards to be babysitters as they are watching their kids the whole time, but from a considerable distance if anything was to go wrong.

"I don't want to give my kids any fear in life… I want them to back themselves," Sammy tells the group.

Viewers on Twitter were quick to slam the pair, with one user writing, "I am screaming! Letting the kids swim in the ocean!?! It’s not about trust of the kids, you can’t trust the ocean and rips!"

SHOP:

• These patches get rid of pimples in just 6 hours: 'Incredible'

• Stress-free car buying: How to get a seven-day test drive

• H&M's massive end of season sale: Up to 70% off dresses, jumpers and jeans

"I cannot wrap my head around it!" another agreed.

"I couldn’t believe my eyes," a third wrote.

"I should’ve drowned when I was 14 caught in a rip … so easy to happen," someone else replied, with one user agreeing, "In a flash it can all change, you can’t control what the ocean does."

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.