A “super strict” mother brags about how she rules her household by making her children live by strict rules.
Elena Leeming, from York, only allows her children to watch TV once a week and even throws away their toys if they are left out – no matter how expensive they are.
Six-year-old Clive and five-year-old Violet have been completing chores since the tender age of three – and have still ‘never eaten a Haribo in their life’.
The two youngsters are only allowed to watch TV on Sundays and are limited in the number of sweet treats they can have.
But the 39-year-old mother-of-two believes her firm parenting style is the best way to ‘prepare children for life’.
Elena explained that they would be better off in the long run and insisted that her children were ‘happy and healthy’.
“I love seeing the kids learn in everything they do. It’s important that they understand what they need to eat and do,” she said.
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“They are healthy, happy and have a good sleep pattern as a result.
“I think parents have loosened up a bit and don’t really discipline their kids now – but this way I’m preparing them for life.”
Opening up about her strict parenting, Elena said neither she nor husband Darren Leeming, 54, grew up with any life skills.
Elena wanted to make sure her children understood how to cook and do housework to become independent – so she started teaching them at a young age.
They have been loading the washing machine and taking care of the garden since they were only three years old.
Elena admitted that her son had breakfast ready before he came downstairs in the morning.
“Instead of sitting there screaming and waiting for breakfast, they can do it themselves,” she said.
Apart from housework, Elena also wants her children to be informed about healthy eating.
Clive and Violet must eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables and drink at least a liter of water a day.
The two are also prohibited from eating heavily processed foods or artificially flavored snacks such as candy and crisps.
Youngsters are allowed one high-sugar food a day from an approved list – such as yoghurt, ice cream and biscuits.
But when push comes to shove, no fizzy drinks are allowed for the couple – not even sugar-free ones.
“When they get candy, they say ‘no thank you, they’re not good for me’ and throw it in the bin,” she said.
TV viewing is only allowed on Sundays, while tablets are to be used only for “educational games” such as spelling challenges.
“With screen time, it’s like an addiction. I don’t want them to develop this addiction,” Elena said.
Primary school children are also required to pack up and complete one activity before moving on to the next.
If they don’t follow these strict rules, their toys will be gone forever, as their mother is not shy about making good on her threats.
“One time I had a phone call and they turned the house upside down. I gave them five minutes to clean up and they didn’t make it in time,” she revealed.
“So I put the toys in a black bag and took them to the charity shop the next day, no matter how new or expensive they were.
“For weeks afterwards, the books were on the shelf and the toys were put away – they learned from it and I never had to do it again.”
Elena is willing to go to any lengths to teach discipline so that her children learn not to do “stupid things”.
“My daughter tied a knot in her backpack that was really hard to untie, so I made her untie it standing outside in the rain so she wouldn’t do it again,” she added.
“We have reward charts and they lose stars if they don’t go to the bathroom before leaving the house and then need it when we’re out.
While many parents might find this too strict, Elena feels it’s best for the children, who she hopes will be “strong leaders”.
“Everyone can have their own opinion and raise their children the way they want,” she explained.
“But mental health is on the rise and people today have no resilience. I want my children to grow up to be strong leaders.”