Exclusive
MUMMY’S LITTLE HELPER
I’m UK’s strictest mum and my son, 4, follows a very tough set of rules – I don’t care what other parents think
IF you’ve ever struggled to get your child to make the bed in the morning, this no-nonsense parent might have the answer.
Chelle Brown is proud to be one of Britain’s strictest mums, ensuring her little boy cleans his room, folds clothes, sweeps floors and even digs weeds - at the tender age of four.
7
The 36-year-old, from Birmingham, has a brutal warning system when son River steps out of line and has slashed his time on “irresponsible” devices like TVs, phones and iPads.
But single mum Chelle insists she is reaping the rewards of her high standards - even if not everyone agrees.
"People say: 'I can’t believe you speak to River like that and make him do all this work',” says Chelle.
"I don't care. They don't know what I do."
READ MORE REAL LIFE
"My response is - he has to learn to do it at some point
“I don't want my son to be spoiled, whining, sitting on an iPad or phone for hours each day and non-communicative.
"Parents who let their kids do that are irresponsible and lazy.”
40-min morning routine
Little River’s weekdays start at 7am, when he turns his alarm off and gets ready for school as his mum makes breakfast downstairs.
7
7
Most read in Fabulous
Chelle, who works as a cell centre senior administrator, refuses to “coddle” her son and leaves him to master his morning tasks.
“He jumps out of bed, brushes his teeth, washes his face, leaves the towels neat and wipes any water off the floor,” she says.
“He then puts on his school uniform, folds his pyjamas, makes his bed, tidies his room and brings his backpack down to the breakfast table.
“He does all that in 40 minutes and he is only in reception at primary school.
“When he finishes his breakfast he scrapes his plate, rinses it and pops it in the dishwasher.
“Then he puts on his coat, has me check his homework is done, and rides his bike to school.”
7
Homework before playtime
After school, River meets his mum and rides his bike home before hanging up his coat and hat, and lining up his shoes neatly in the hall.
He is allowed to choose a healthy snack, but has to make a start on his homework before being allowed “free play” time, which must not include anything that involves looking at a screen.
“At 5pm we have tea, then River can have some free playtime after he helps pack the dishwasher and tidy the kitchen,” says Chelle.
“He bathes himself and I can rely on him to tidy the bathroom and put on his PJs.
“In fact, he is so good at cleaning at the age of four that he can clean a bathroom and mop it.
“Then it's half an hour of Netflix with me, some reading and bedtime.”
River knows he has to put away clothes that have been washed and has been folding them up since the age of two.
He then packs his school bag and gets his uniform ready for the morning.
No-nonsense warning system
Chelle admits some parents will find her extreme expectations “too tough”, but explains there is no room for complacency.
“On the rare occasion River doesn’t do something I ask or talks back, I institute the warning system,” she says.
“He gets a warning. This means he gets told once and if he doesn't apologise, he has a timeout.
“Most parents give so many warnings that kids don't believe they will get time out.”
River's household chore list
He's only four, but already River can carry out the following chores for his mum...
- Vacuuming
- Unloading the dryer, fold clothes and put away items
- Tidying his toys
- Loading washing machine and selecting the correct settings
- Cleaning the bathroom
- Hand-weeding the garden and drive
- Hanging out washing
- Tidying the living room
- Making the bed
- Keeping the fridge clean and tidy
- Putting away groceries
'He even earns pocket money'
For the most part, River not only follows the rules to the letter, but relishes the responsibility.
In fact, his enthusiasm for hard work means he is even earning some pocket money already.
“Over the summer holidays River was bored so I suggested he weeded the driveway to earn an extra pound,” says Chelle.
“He worked all day, and it looked amazing. Then he went next door and did their drive and earnt more money.
“He’s done almost the whole street and realised discipline gets results.”
7
7
Proud of little helper
Growing up, Chelle was raised by her strict grandparents.
They introduced tough rules including “no boyfriends, no make-up and no drinking”, which led her to rebel and get suspended at school for bunking off.
“When I was 15 years old a teacher pulled me aside and told me straight that if I didn't get my act together, I’d end up in prison,” she says.
“I was shocked and the fact she cared enough to be honest with me scared me straight.”
Since then, “routine has been king” in her household and she sees herself and River as a tight-knit team.
“River asks if he can take the bins out, he loves to cook and clean and it's more of an acceptance that we both have to work together to get what we want other than me running around picking up after him,” she says.
“I want to ensure my son has life skills, is kind, considerate and isn’t spoiled.
“I am well proud that at four I can trust him to separate the whites and coloured washing. He knows what setting to push for what colour and puts on a load.
"I don't think he'll rebel.
"He does dance, mini ninja, he has school mates come over which I didn't do.
"He knows the housework must be done before going to park or movies."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
River adds: “I love helping mum out. I love my routine because I have fun.
"The teachers at school tell me I am helpful. I like that. I love cleaning, it's fun.”
7
Topics