New trend lets mum and dad put their feet up, experts say kids in control challenges parental authority, helps children build independence.
Young parents in China are relaxing at home while their children take care of the housework after school, as the trend of “reverse parenting” goes viral.
Yuanyuan, a primary school student from northeastern China’s Liaoning province, has attracted nearly one million followers on mainland social media by documenting his daily life with a mini camera clipped to his clothes.
Two to three times a week, Yuanyuan gets up at 5am to walk his neighbours’ dogs for five yuan (70 US cents) each.
After school, he calls his mother to ask what she wants for dinner, then shops for fresh groceries, bargaining with vendors and paying in cash.
At home, Yuanyuan cooks meals like braised prawns and pork ribs, usually serving two meat dishes and a vegetable.
His mum says she feels reassured knowing he can juggle school and housework on his own.
She often praises his cooking, which he says he learned from online videos.
Yuanyuan also helps with his mum’s make-up and selects her outfits, complimenting her and cheering her up when she is feeling low.
Netizens see Yuanyuan as a prime example of “reverse parenting,” a growing trend in which children take the lead as their parents put their feet up.
The idea behind reverse parenting isn’t to burden children, but rather to teach them responsibility. Chinese educators and parenting experts suggest that by engaging children in household duties from a young age, they are better prepared for adult life.
“Children who manage chores develop a sharper sense of time, accountability, and organisation,” said Dr Li Feng, a child development psychologist based in Shanghai, adding, “They begin to see the world not just from their own lens, but also through the eyes of those who care for them.”
Reverse parenting is also being credited with fostering stronger emotional ties between parents and children. When kids step into their parents’ shoes, even temporarily, they begin to appreciate the effort and care that goes into daily life. This role reversal, experts said, cultivates a deeper sense of empathy.
