BRITAIN’S Best Parent viewers have slammed a “lazy” mum whose “parent-centric” style means “putting herself first” and treating her 10-year-old son “like a servant”.
Single mum Hannah, from Buckinghamshire, says her and her son Jack are like “best friends” – but that she ultimately puts her happiness first.
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Explaining what “parent-centric” means to her, Hannah said: “I put myself first. Jack fits into my life and he fits in so beautifully.
“When I’m happy, my child is happy. If I’m doing well in work, he’s getting better things. If I don’t put myself first and I’m not happy then how can I be the best parent that I can be?”
In the show, the primary school student is seen waking his mum up in the morning with a cup of tea.
What’s more, the 10-year-old even acts as Hannah’s personal photographer by taking her Instagram snaps for her.
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Hannah also takes Jack to the pub twice a week with her so she can squeeze in some time with friends – but insisted it was all part of making her son “independent and sociable”.
But even though Hannah – who works as a radio DJ and social media manager – describes herself as a “cool mum”, she’s also firm with Jack when she needs to be.
She explained: “He got his Christmas presents took off him last year – didn’t get them until the end of January.
“And he hasn’t been naughty since!”
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During the television show, Hannah hosted two other children being raised by parents with differing styles.
While hosting Bella (with an “attachment” mum) and Elena (raised by self-proclaimed “strict” parents), Hannah invited all the kids to play basketball and made it clear she wouldn’t let them win.
If she were to let them beat her, Hannah said: “They’re gonna expect everything!”
“I’m preparing Jack for adulthood – mummy and daddy ain’t gonna be there forever,” she said. “If you teach them independence now, they’re not gonna fear it when they’re adults.”
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Aware that her parenting style is controversial, Hannah explained: “I grew up the centre of my mum and dad’s world and I was a brat.”
While being hosted by “attachment” parents Mia and Adam, Jack said spending quality time with his mum involved “going somewhere that’s good for Instagram photos”.
He continued: “If she needs a coffee or something, I’ll make it for her. Anything she needs that I could possibly do, I will do.”
Unsurprisingly, Hannah’s approach divided viewers on Twitter – with some labelling her “lazy”.
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One replied: “So Hannah wants a servant, not a child? Top parenting that.”
Another added: “Hannah’s kid seems so kind! Aww you’re not a servant child.”
“Think she should be classed as a lazy parent,” a third wrote.
That said, others argued that Jack’s independence and good manners are a testament to Hannah’s parenting.
“Quite like the parent-centric approach so far,” one tweeted. “The lad seems lovely! Everything she said about preparing him for life seems spot on to me!”
“Fair point,” another said. “Happy parent, happy child.”
Last week on the show, viewers were outraged as a “lazy” mum let her kids eat six Mini Rolls for dinner if they fancied.
Britain’s Best Parent airs on Channel 4 at 8pm on Thursdays.
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