Most parents would agree that we want to encourage our kids to be themselves. But most parents also know the excruciating pain of their child coming home in tears because someone teased them for being different.

The question parents have always struggled with is, how do we guide them? Do we encourage them to “fit in” to avoid cruelty and bullying? Or should we let them be as weird as they want, no matter the cost?

Mom and former teacher urges parents not to encourage “weird” behaviors

Carlyn, a mom, 20-year teaching veteran, and social media creator with over 80,000 followers, makes no bones about her own stance on the topic:

“Parents, do not let your child be ‘weird.’”

Those are her opening words to a recent TikTok video that ignited a firestorm of comments and attention.

“Yes, your child should be unique. Yes, they should have their own style. No, they don’t have to be exactly like everyone else,” she clarifies. “However, if your child has habits and tendencies that are causing them to be ostracized in school, they do not have peer relationships, it has gone too far.”

She says loving and accepting your kids the way they are is great, but not if it comes at the cost of their ability to make friends and thrive in school.

“Your job is to parent them. Your job is not to just love them, [let them] be however they want to be, and send them out. You’re sending them out to ridicule and scorn and no positive peer relationships.”

In other words, when parents don’t intervene in their kids’ behaviors that are off-putting to others:

“You are setting them up for a life of struggle.”

@fit.mom.carlyn Do not let your child be weird. #christiantiktok #parents #kids #school #teachersoftiktok ♬ original sound – Fit Mom Carlyn

Do not let your child be weird. #christiantiktok #parents #kids #school #teachersoftiktok ♬ original sound – Fit Mom Carlyn

What behaviors are “weird” or “odd”?

“Weird” is a........

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