Trolls say I shouldn’t be ‘allowed on the planet’ because I’m such a ‘lazy mum’ – but I’m doing my best
A MUM was branded “lazy” after a video she posted online showed her “messy” home covered in laundry and toys.
Laura Green, 30, made a video of her home in Leicester and posted it on TikTok – to show other parents it’s OK not to be perfect.
She said she wanted to show “it’s fine to take a break and tidy up later” – especially with the busy summer holidays approaching.
The mum-of-two under-fives wanted to share her experience after coming downstairs after putting her son to bed – and realising the house was a mess.
She decided to take a few minutes for herself before tidying up – and wanted to reassure parents it was OK to do the same.
“This is your reminder that not everybody on the internet is aesthetically pleasing,” she told viewers.
“Messy is normal, clutter is normal, and rooms look like this because people live in them.”
But strangers online were not impressed.
She was branded a “messy young mum” – despite being 30 – and others even said she “shouldn’t be allowed on the planet” if she couldn’t do “women’s work”.
Others said she was just deliberately holding the camera up high to show off her cleavage, during the video filmed on Monday, July 8.
Laura, who worked as a senior consultant in an opticians before her children, aged one and four, laughed it off.
She said: “The comments mostly made me laugh – especially the ones about my cleavage.
“I get that quite a bit on my page. It says more about them than it does about me.
“It’s obvious I’m showing the mess.
“The ‘lazy terrible young mum’ comments were quite funny too.
“People seem to think I’m 19 and had my kids by accident – actually I’m 30 and they were a choice.
“Negative comments don’t bother me – it’s just people looking for likes.
“That was one of the first times I beat the other half, Sam, downstairs.
Different parenting styles explained
There are four recognised styles of parenting explained below:
Authoritarian Parenting
What some might describe as ‘regimental’ or ‘strict parenting.
Parents with this style focus on strict rules, obedience, and discipline.
Authoritarian parents take over the decision-making power, rarely giving children any input in the matter.
When it comes to rules, you believe it’s “my way or the highway.”
Permissive Parenting
Often referred to as ‘soft parenting’ or ‘yes mums/dads’.
Permissive parents are lenient, only stepping in when there’s a serious problem.
They’re quite forgiving and they adopt an attitude of “kids will be kids.”
Oftentimes they act more like friends than authoritative figures.
Authoritative Parenting
Authoritative parents provide their children with rules and boundaries, but they also give them the freedom to make decisions.
With an authoritative parenting style, parents validate their children’s feelings while also making it clear that the adults are ultimately in charge.
They use positive reinforcement techniques, like praise and reward systems, as opposed to harsh punishments.
Neglectful or Uninvolved Parenting
Essentially, neglectful parents ignore their children, who receive little guidance, nurturing, and parental attention.
They don’t set rules or expectations, and they tend to have minimal knowledge about what their children are doing.
Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don’t devote much time or energy to meeting children’s basic needs.
Uninvolved parents may be neglectful but it’s not always intentional. A parent with mental health issues or substance abuse problems, for example, may not be able to care for a child’s physical or emotional needs consistently.
“I saw the mess and was like ‘I’ll tidy this but I just need a minute’.
“I just wanted to show other parents that it’s ok to do that.
“Social media is so full of extremes – I just wanted to show that this is normal.
“Especially with the summer holidays coming up; you can’t go full force into six or seven weeks with your kids without taking time for yourself.”