A London mum has found herself at the center of a fierce online debate after turning a simple McDonald’s lunch into a lesson about money. Kate King, a 31-year-old mother and teacher, encouraged her two children, Louie, 8, and Arna, 5, to pay for their meals using the Christmas money they had received. The decision, made on January 2, was meant to introduce the idea that spending comes with trade-offs, even when the amount is small.
According to King, the kids were happy to go along with it, but the reaction online was anything but calm. She said she was flooded with abusive messages and even threats from people claiming they would contact child protection services. Speaking to the New York Post, King described the intensity of the backlash and the harsh labels strangers used to judge her parenting. For her, the point was never punishment, but practice.
King emphasized that this was a one-time request rather than a household rule, and the costs were modest. Her son chose a vegan meal that came to about 8 euros, while her daughter paid roughly 5 euros for a Happy Meal from her savings. King said it was the first time she had asked them to cover a fast-food outing themselves, and she stood by it without hesitation. In her view, letting kids spend their own money helps them learn what it actually means.
@katehomelearns This is home education. #homeed #homeeducation #parenttok #mumsoftiktok #fyp ♬ Capture Everything – Chad Gerber
The moment also tapped into a growing shift away from what people call gentle parenting, where boundaries and consequences can be softer. Some parents are experimenting with clearer financial expectations at home, even when children are still young. In the United States, Taja Ashaka has shared that she charges her teenage daughters around 10 euros a week for rent and utilities, complete with late fees and talk of “eviction.” Another mom, Samantha Bird, reportedly charges her three sons a small monthly “rent” taken from their pocket money to cover basics like groceries and bills.
Not everyone loves these approaches, but some financial experts argue the bigger picture matters. Financial planner Rick Kahler has said there is no single right way to teach money skills, and he praised parents who take an active role in building financial literacy early. Financial advisor Kate Yoho has also noted that younger kids can be especially curious about money precisely because it still feels mysterious. Starting small, they suggest, can make the lessons stick.
For King, the McDonald’s outing was about more than a receipt. She said her children practiced ordering politely, did quick math to track what each spent, and paid closer attention to their food because they had bought it themselves. King, who began homeschooling her children from September 2025 after withdrawing them from the traditional school system, has spoken about wanting a more personalized education focused on their strengths and interests. She has also admitted she made major money mistakes growing up and wants her kids to have a better foundation.
Would you ask your kids to pay for a treat with their own money, or does that feel like going too far? Share your thoughts in the comments.
