It’s a classic parenting dilemma—what do you do when your child refuses to clean their room? For one TikTok mom, the answer was drastic, sparking a heated debate online.
Tabatha Marie, known on TikTok as @tabathamarie, posted a video sharing her frustrations with her 5-year-old son. After asking him to clean his room for two days straight, his response left her stunned: “No, you clean it, Mommy.”
Determined to teach her son a lesson, Tabatha grabbed some large white garbage bags and scooped up every toy left on the floor. She shared the aftermath—a spotless room—and added a bold message overlay: “Momma is not raising disrespectful men. You make the mess, you clean it up. Don’t let women struggle. Period.”
@tabathamarie I hated seeing the look on his face when he seen his room. It hurt me just as much but my babies will not be disrespectful #parenting #fyp #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Tabatha Marie
The video, viewed over 3.4 million times, left the internet divided. Some users thought her approach was way too harsh.
One commenter wrote, “Are you serious? He’s five years old! You should help him, not expect him to do it alone. Poor kid.” Another echoed this sentiment: “Judging by the toys, he’s too young for this. Start by helping him, then gradually teach independence.”
Some even shared personal stories. “My mom did this when I was little, and it traumatized me. Cleaning is still stressful for me as an adult,” one user confessed.
But others applauded Tabatha’s tough-love parenting style. “Good job, Mom! The people disagreeing probably have kids who don’t respect anyone,” one person commented.
Another added, “I’m 18 now, but when my mom did this when I was 10, I learned my lesson fast. No toys for a week worked wonders.”
To clarify, Tabatha later revealed she didn’t actually throw the toys away. She only pretended to, hoping to drive home the importance of cleaning up after yourself.
What do you think? Was Tabatha’s method an effective parenting move or a step too far? Share your thoughts and tag a friend who might relate!
