Parenting in the age of TikTok is a tricky business. One Massachusetts mom recently found that out the hard way after sharing what she thought was a wholesome video featuring her young son. The video, filmed at a local grocery store, was meant to capture a fun Halloween-themed movie night, but instead, it turned into a social media firestorm about parenting styles, control, and letting kids make choices.
The Massachusetts mother participated in a popular online trend where parents and kids stand back-to-back and surprise each other with their favorite snacks for movie night. Things started off on a sweet note. Both mother and son picked the same brand and flavor of potato chips. Viewers immediately loved the cute coincidence. But as the game went on, what started as fun slowly turned into what could be described as a mom takeover.
When it came time to choose drinks, her son picked a single bottle while she went for a six-pack of a similar flavor. Instead of compromising or grabbing both, she told him they’d stick with her pick since it came with more. The little boy looked disappointed, but shrugged it off at least for a moment.
Massachusetts Mom Earns The Wrath Of Social Media
Then came the meal category. Once again, they were almost on the same page with ramen noodles. But while her son picked two packs of his favorite flavor, the Massachusetts mom had two different flavors in her cart, one she liked and one that was her son’s favorite. Naturally, she decided hers made more sense.
By the time dessert rolled around, the tension was clear even through the screen. The mom proudly showed off her pick, two packs of ready-to-bake cookie dough, while her son excitedly presented his choice: a box of Halloween-themed cupcakes. Instead of meeting in the middle, she pointed out that he hadn’t grabbed frosting and suggested they settle the decision with a game of rock, paper, scissors.
When she won, she told him he could at least pick which cookie dough they’d bake. That was the breaking point. The boy visibly melted down, frustrated that his mom had dismissed almost every one of his ideas.
TikTok Felt Bad For The Boy
She calmly told him that if he didn’t like the cookies, they’d put everything back and skip the movie night entirely. After he reluctantly agreed, the pair finished with candy and a movie choice, Sour Patch Kids (hers) over his chocolate bar, and Ghostbusters for the film after he finally won a round of rock, paper, scissors.
While the Massachusetts mom might have thought the clip was relatable, TikTok didn’t see it that way. Commenters flooded her post, calling her dismissive and controlling. “Girl, just let him have SOMETHING that’s his choice,” one person commented. “She’s controlling everything and he looks so sad,” another wrote. “He feels like he doesn’t stand a chance against her she ends up picking,” a third comment read. Meanwhile, others defended her, suggesting she was just trying to make sure they picked snacks they’d both enjoy.
At the end of the day, it seems this Massachusetts family probably did have a cozy movie night with plenty of snacks to share. However, the debate her video sparked proves one thing. When it comes to parenting online, the internet always has something to say.
Kendra Quinn 
Emma Taylor 
Kenna Raye 
