I forced my kids to buy McDonald’s with their Christmas cash — and social media trolls labeled me a 'sick f—k'
Kate King, a 31-year-old mother from London and homeschooling advocate, faced a firestorm online after turning a simple money lesson into a public moment. On January 2, just days after “spoiling” son Louie, 8, and daughter Arna, 5, with heaps of holiday gifts, monies and treats, the married mom told her tots that if they wanted McDonald’s for lunch, they’d have to purchase the grub with their Christmas cash. King’s kiddos happily complied. But internet trolls cursed, hissed and cried. “I’ve received direct messages from people calling me a ‘sick f—k,’ a ‘c—t,’ a ‘terrible parent,’” King, 31, exclusively told The Post. “I’ve had people threatening to call [Child Protective Services] on me.” “This was the first time I’d ever asked my kids to spend their own money on McDonald’s,” she continued, noting that Louie shelled out a mere £7 ($9.47) on a vegan McPlant Meal, and little Arna only used £4 ($5.41) of her stash for a Happy Meal. “Would I do it again?” said King. “Absolutely.” To the millennial mama, making her brood pay for the fast food wasn’t a form of fiendish punishment, nor was it some nefarious plot to break their piggy banks. Instead, it was simply a teachable moment in responsibility and money management. King and her husband, whose name she chose to withhold for privacy, are in the rising number of moms and dads working to instill everyday, real-world lessons and skills. It’s a swing away from the ultramodern, ultra-controversial gentle parenting tactic — a child-rearing trend devoid of stringent structure, consequences and accountability. Rather than giving in to a little one’s every whim, parents like King prefer teaching pups the value of a dollar (or in the Brits’ case, a pound), as well as the benefits of earning, saving and spending their spoils wisely. Still, King ensures that her tiny twosome gets to revel in the fun and freedom of childhood, while preparing them for adulthood. What do you think? Post a comment. “Having my kid pay for McDonald’s turned into a great experience for both of them,” she said. “They each learned how to properly communicate their orders to the staff, they practiced math — calculating how much they’d each spent and the [change] they received in return.” “Instead of getting distracted by the toy or the play area, they sat and ate all of their food because they valued it,” King bragged. “It was all really special.”
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Money skills at home are becoming a teaching staple
To illustrate the broader trend, Taja Ashaka, a married mom of two based in the US, charges her tween daughters a total of $10 each for weekly rent and utilities. Her girls even live under the constant threat of eviction. “If they do not have [their rent] paid by 9:01 p.m., their first notice is no phone for 24 hours, and they have to pay an extra dollar,” Ashaka said in a trending vid. “The second notice is no phone for three days, [and a late fee of] $5,” she continued. “Third notice is an eviction with an extra $10 [late fee].” Samantha Bird runs a similarly tight ship. The money-minded mom a mom of three under age 10 imposes a $3 tenant’s fee on each of her sons every month. Every boy pays $1 for rent, $1 for groceries and $1 for utilities out of their $6 monthly allowance. It’s a no-nonsense parenting strategy that financial experts say is right on the money. “When it comes to teaching kids money skills, there isn’t one way to do it,” Rick Kahler, a financial planner and therapist, previously told MarketWatch. “I applaud [Bird] for being aware that she has a responsibility to teach her kids money skills. Kate Yoho, a financial adviser at Tennessee-based TBH Advisors, agreed, adding that “starting them at that age is great.” “It’s good and basic,” Yoho said. “Kids get excited about stuff when they’re little — especially money, because they don’t understand it.” King, who removed her children from the UK’s traditional school system to begin homeschooling in September 2025, concurs. “When my kids were going to school, it felt like other people were raising them and teaching them lessons that aren’t necessarily relevant,” she explained to The Post. “I want to offer my children a more personalized learning experience that really focuses on their skills, strengths and interests.” “Growing up, I didn’t understand the significance of money management, and I’ve made serious [financial mistakes],” King added. “So, teaching them how to save or spend their money Christmas or [allowance], gives them a good head-start.” Still, King ensures that her tiny twosome gets to revel in the fun and freedom of childhood, while preparing them for adulthood.
Homeschooling as a deliberate, personalized education
King, who removed her children from the UK’s traditional school system to begin homeschooling in September 2025, explains that she wanted a more personalized learning experience. “When my kids were going to school, it felt like other people were raising them and teaching them lessons that aren’t necessarily relevant,” she said. “I want to offer my children a more personalized learning experience that really focuses on their skills, strengths and interests.” “Growing up, I didn’t understand the significance of money management, and I’ve made serious [financial mistakes],” King added. “So, teaching them how to save or spend their money Christmas or [allowance], gives them a good head-start.” Still, King ensures that her tiny twosome gets to revel in the fun and freedom of childhood, while preparing them for adulthood.
Public reaction and reader opinions
What do you think? Post a comment about this parenting choice. The responses below reflect a range of perspectives, from support to skepticism. “I do not see anything wrong with this. She gave them the money and was teaching them a lesson= if they want a treat then it will cost them. Is Mcdonells bad? Yes Do they eat it everyday? No Is it a learning lesson from a mom trying to teach kids some monetary disipline? Ok sure. What I do not get i... People these days will find something wrong with anything! More parents should be doing more like this instead of giving everything to kids because their feel entitled. I would bet my entire fortune that these kids grow up knowing the value of money and will be much better off in life. The children in question are 8 and 5 years old, not teenagers. My parents were not rich since my mother was factory worker and my father worked in a nursing home, never told us that we needed to use our own money to buy food. My parents gave us money to buy even snacks and candy when we were very ... Teaching children to spend gift money wisely, rather than foolishly, is a parent's responsibility. The naysayers can butt out. These parents let their children enjoy the gift money at McDonald's. It would be nice if the kids sent the gift makers a note saying they loved their Happy Meals. That ... I love the extra touch of showing gratitude. It’s completely absent these days
