"I'm UK's strictest mum - TV once a week, no sweets and I throw away their toys"
- 19 days ago
A proud "super strict" mum only lets her kids watch TV once a week, throws away toys they leave out and never lets them eat sweets.
Elena Leeming, 39, believes strict parenting is the best way to "prepare kids for life."
Her children, Clive, six, and Violet, five, have done chores since they were three.
She only allows them to watch TV on Sundays and limits sugary snacks so they have "never eaten a Haribo in their lives".
The business analyst even throws away any toys that aren't tidied away as a punishment - regardless of how new or expensive they were.
Elena, from York, said her children are "happy and healthy" and feels the strict parenting style will be better for her children in the long run.
She said: "I like to see the children learning in everything they do.
"It's important for them to understand what they need to eat and do.
"They are healthy, happy, and have a good sleep routine as a result.
"I think parents become a bit loose and don't really discipline their children now - but this way I'm preparing them for life."
Elena said both she and husband Darren Leeming, 54, grew up without being taught life skills like cooking and housework.
Elena wanted to make sure her children would understand life skills to become independent - so started teaching at a young age.
From the age of just three they have been loading the washing machine and doing the gardening.
Elena says her son sets up breakfast in the morning before she comes down.
She said: "Rather than sitting there screaming waiting for breakfast, they can do it themselves."
She teaches them about nutrition - and they must eat at least five portions of fruit and veg a day, as well as drinking at least a litre of water.
She says they are never allowed heavily processed foods or artificially flavoured snacks such as sweets and crisps.
They are allowed one high-sugar food a day from a list of approved ones - such as a yoghurt, ice cream, and biscuits.
They're not allowed fizzy drinks - not even sugar-free ones.
She said: "They've never had a Haribo in their lives.
"They're not allowed to eat foods with no vitamins or nutritional benefits.
"When they're given sweets they say 'no thanks, they're not good for me' and they put them in the bin."
They are allowed to watch TV but only on a Sunday - and tablets are only to be used for 'educational games' such as spelling challenges.
She said: "With screentime, it's like an addiction. I don't want them to develop that addiction."
They're not allowed to go upstairs or move onto a different activity before clearing away their first one.
If they don't stick to that, they lose the toys for good - and Elena follows through with her threats.
She said: "One time I was on a call and they turned the house inside out.
"I gave them five minutes to tidy up and they didn't get it done in time.
"So I put the toys in a black bag and took them to the charity shop the next day regardless of how new or expensive they were.
Elena Leeming, 39, believes strict parenting is the best way to "prepare kids for life."
Her children, Clive, six, and Violet, five, have done chores since they were three.
She only allows them to watch TV on Sundays and limits sugary snacks so they have "never eaten a Haribo in their lives".
The business analyst even throws away any toys that aren't tidied away as a punishment - regardless of how new or expensive they were.
Elena, from York, said her children are "happy and healthy" and feels the strict parenting style will be better for her children in the long run.
She said: "I like to see the children learning in everything they do.
"It's important for them to understand what they need to eat and do.
"They are healthy, happy, and have a good sleep routine as a result.
"I think parents become a bit loose and don't really discipline their children now - but this way I'm preparing them for life."
Elena said both she and husband Darren Leeming, 54, grew up without being taught life skills like cooking and housework.
Elena wanted to make sure her children would understand life skills to become independent - so started teaching at a young age.
From the age of just three they have been loading the washing machine and doing the gardening.
Elena says her son sets up breakfast in the morning before she comes down.
She said: "Rather than sitting there screaming waiting for breakfast, they can do it themselves."
She teaches them about nutrition - and they must eat at least five portions of fruit and veg a day, as well as drinking at least a litre of water.
She says they are never allowed heavily processed foods or artificially flavoured snacks such as sweets and crisps.
They are allowed one high-sugar food a day from a list of approved ones - such as a yoghurt, ice cream, and biscuits.
They're not allowed fizzy drinks - not even sugar-free ones.
She said: "They've never had a Haribo in their lives.
"They're not allowed to eat foods with no vitamins or nutritional benefits.
"When they're given sweets they say 'no thanks, they're not good for me' and they put them in the bin."
They are allowed to watch TV but only on a Sunday - and tablets are only to be used for 'educational games' such as spelling challenges.
She said: "With screentime, it's like an addiction. I don't want them to develop that addiction."
They're not allowed to go upstairs or move onto a different activity before clearing away their first one.
If they don't stick to that, they lose the toys for good - and Elena follows through with her threats.
She said: "One time I was on a call and they turned the house inside out.
"I gave them five minutes to tidy up and they didn't get it done in time.
"So I put the toys in a black bag and took them to the charity shop the next day regardless of how new or expensive they were.