Parents Respond After Their ‘Strict’ Rules for Kids Spark Backlash Online

An influencer couple is responding after videos they made detailing their “strict” parenting style went viral.

Ssonia Ong, a content creator known for her account, the “Ong Squad,” where she makes family-focused content surrounding her life with her five children and husband, responded to comments on a video of hers where the pair detailed the rules they have for their children.

“May as well set the bar high,” the influencer, who has nearly 11 million TikTok followers, wrote in the caption of the video, where she specifically detailed the couple’s rules for their children’s education.

While the couple listed five rules that they enforce in their home surrounding schooling, the first rule sparked much more debate in the comments than the others.

“Straight A’s are expected,” read the text over the clip, as one of the pair’s five children danced across the screen.

People in the comments expressed their opinions on the mandate, with many arguing that the rule was far too “strict.”

“I disagree with the straight A’s… too much pressure,” wrote one user.

Another, however, was inclined to agree with the Ongs, writing, “Getting straight A’s is too much pressure. both A’s and B’s are good.”

The commenter also addressed one of the parents’ other rules mandating college as a necessity for their children, writing, “And you don’t have to go to college to be successful. should you graduate from high school, yes. but college should be a choice.”

Commenters also had mixed reactions to the parents’ expectations for college, with many supporting the Ongs in their goal.

“Y’all complaining but I’d rather have parents that would help me get to college and have goals for me,” one user said.

“They don’t have to go to college you know they might want to do physical work and you can’t stop them I’m assuming u will kick them out,” another disagreed.

However, Ssonia made it clear that her children wouldn’t face consequences like being kicked out if they didn’t go to college, writing back, “No one will ever get kicked out.”

“I think college being a must is not good,” wrote one user. “Not every kids will be successful or happy with college. The trades are good too. They wouldn’t be less of a person if they go into the trades.”

Ssonia acknowledged the commenter’s argument, writing, “You make a great point. Trades are very much needed and the payout is 👌”

As for the couple’s other rules? Their children must read 30 minutes a day and are able to buy unlimited books to support the habit. Additionally, screens are allowed for their children, but only on the weekends.

Some commenters had questions relating to the children’s own desires for their hobbies.

“What if they don’t like reading?” wrote one.

Ssonia admitted that one of their children actually didn’t like to read at all, so they use audiobooks and comics to supplement the child’s learning.

This is not the first “rules” post that the couple has made. In June, the pair made a more general video detailing their other rules, including that the children re not allowed to have social media until they are 16, no sleepovers (though they can host sleepovers at their own house), no crop tops and no dating until college.

“Guys, this is NOT strict it’s basic rules 😭,” wrote one exasperated commenter.

Others weighed in on whether the kids would break any of the rules, with one specifically targeting the dating rule, saying, “I feel like the no dating one is the one they’re going to break.”

Ssonia, for her part, wrote back, “You might be right.”