When the Online Crowd Judges Our Parenting Choices

The recent viral clip of a young contestant on Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) — a child who boldly told the host, “don’t explain the rules, I know them,” and interrupted mid-stream — has ignited a firestorm of commentary. Some labelled the boy “rude” and rifled through threads blaming his parents for “bad parenting.”

But as a mom and blogger, I want to pause and say: stop casting judgement so quickly, especially when it comes to parenting. Because the truth is: parenting is messy, complex, and deeply personal. And no one style is globally “right” or “wrong.”

The Incident: What Happened & What Went Viral

Here’s a quick recap:

● A 10-year-old child contestant appeared on KBC and, in his enthusiasm, interrupted the host, answered before options were given, and asked to skip rule-explanation segments.

● The clip went viral, with commenters calling the behaviour “arrogant” or “disrespectful” toward the legendary host.

● Experts and child-development counsellors weighed in: this behaviour may reflect excitement, impulse control issues, or simply what happens when a child is thrust into a high-pressure public situation — rather than a “parenting fail” alone.

This incident is a mirror — reflecting not just that one child or one family, but how quickly society judges children and parents based on a few seconds of footage.

Why Parenting Is Not “One-Size-Fits-All”

As Mom Harsha, a mother of multiple kids (yes, life is wonderfully loud at home!) and someone who writes about parenting, I want to emphasise:

Context matters:

Every home runs on its own rhythm. What feels normal in one family might seem unusual in another — and that’s completely okay. Some parents believe in gentle conversations; others raise their voices out of sheer exhaustion but equal love. A child growing up in a small town, surrounded by cousins and grandparents, learns differently from a child in a metro city juggling school, hobbies, and screens. Culture, family values, school environment, and even a parent’s own upbringing shape how they handle situations. So before we say, “That parent should’ve done this,” we need to remember — we don’t live their everyday reality. What works in my home as Mom Harsha might not work in yours, and that’s the beauty of parenting — it’s not a rulebook; it’s a relationship.

And let’s be honest — so much of our parenting anxiety comes from the fear of judgment.

We find ourselves worrying:

“What will my relatives or strangers say if my child has a meltdown in public?”

But imagine if we shifted that thought toward connection instead:

“How can I connect with and calm my child right now? What is the underlying need?”

That single mental switch — from worrying about others to focusing on your child — changes everything.

Children are individuals, not clones: What works beautifully for one child may feel suffocating for another. The boy on KBC might be naturally fast-thinking, eager, and outspoken. These traits aren’t bad in themselves.

Parents are not perfect: We make decisions with love, but sometimes with fear, impatience, or under pressure. That doesn’t make us bad — just human.

Public comparisons don’t help: When we see headlines like “Bad Parenting? KBC Kid Trolls,” we start looking at parenting as a competition. But parenting is collaboration, exploration, and growth.

So when people say “Hey, this parent messed up” — stop. Pause. Because judging adds pressure, guilt, and shame — none of which help anyone grow.

Why the Trolling of a Child Hurts More than It Helps

Let’s reflect on the darker side of this viral moment:

● A 10-year-old is exposed on national TV, then becomes a meme debated online — often without context. Experts say that kind of public shaming can affect self-esteem, cause anxiety, or silence the expression of self.

● The child’s behaviour was interpreted through adult lenses — ignoring developmental stages. For instance, impulse control, social rule-understanding, and emotional regulation are still evolving at that age.

● Parenting was instantly blamed, as though a brief public moment defines an entire lifetime of choices. It’s unfair to the parents — but more importantly, unfair to the child.

As bloggers, mothers, and community members, we have a role here. We can redirect the narrative from “Blame the parent/child” to “How can we support children and parents in learning and growth?”

What This Means For You, Me, and Our Parenting Journey

Here are some take-aways Mom Harsha is reminding herself of — and hopes they resonate with you too:

Celebrate effort, not just outcomes

The child on KBC may not have won the prize money — but he showed boldness and quick thinking. Likewise, our children may mess up sometimes. That’s okay. We can still see the value in the process.
Model reflection instead of judgement

Instead of saying “That’s bad parenting,” we can ask ourselves: What might the child be feeling? What might the parent be trying to achieve? Reflection opens dialogue.

When we find ourselves labeling,

“He is so rude or naughty,”

try instead to address the emotion:

“He must be feeling overwhelmed, tired, or maybe too excited.”

That tiny shift — from labeling to understanding — turns conflict into connection.
Teach boundaries and respect, but without stifling voice

Confidence is great. But so is empathy, listening, and patience. In our home, after the excitement or mess, we talk: “How did you feel when you interrupted? What could you try next time?” That kind of gentle reflection builds emotional awareness.
Avoid comparing your home with the highlight reels you see online

Social media shows snippets. The KBC clip is edited, amplified. Parenting blogs, reels, posts — they’re curated. Our real life is beautiful because it’s imperfect. And that’s okay.
Be kind to yourself and show kindness to your children

Some days you’ll feel you nailed it; some days you’ll feel you failed. Both days are part of the journey. The same is true for children: some days confident and composed, some days impulsive and raw. The key is compassion.

Perfect Parenting vs. Intentional Parenting

Many of us unknowingly fall into the trap of “Perfect Parenting.”

We set strict rules, control every move, and do everything we can to avoid being judged. We want the world to think our kids are polite, calm, and disciplined all the time — but that’s not realistic.

Real growth happens when we lean toward “Intentional Parenting.”

That means guiding with kindness, setting boundaries with clarity, and prioritizing empathy over perfection. It’s about raising children who feel seen and heard, not just corrected.

When we choose intentionality, our focus shifts from fear of judgment to genuine connection — and that’s where real parenting magic begins.

Let’s Stop Labeling and Start Listening

Every generation of parents faces new pressures. For our parents, it was about ensuring food, school, and a good job. For us, it’s about managing screens, social media, mental health, and judgment from strangers online.

When the KBC clip went viral, people were quick to say, “This is what happens when you don’t teach respect.” But maybe — just maybe — that child was simply overwhelmed by the moment. Maybe he’s enthusiastic, expressive, and brave enough to speak up on national TV — qualities we’d praise in another context.

That’s the paradox: what’s called “rude” in a child is often “assertive” in an adult. We love confident leaders, but scold confident children. Isn’t that unfair?

A Final Word from Mom Harsha

Dear fellow parents, moms, and caregivers — let’s shift our view. Instead of “Good parenting vs Bad parenting,” let’s talk about Intentional Parenting: Are we trying to raise children who are capable, kind, self-aware, resilient? If yes — the specific style matters less than the underlying values.

The KBC incident is a moment of reckoning: It shows how fast we judge children, how we equate a moment with a lifetime, and how we sometimes forget that parenting is more about guiding than controlling, more about listening than dictating.

So, next time you catch yourself thinking “She’s a bad parent” or “That child is spoilt,” pause. Breathe. Ask: What might be happening beneath the surface? What can I learn? Because every parent has a story, every child has a voice — and our job isn’t to compare, but to support, grow, and above all, love.

Thank you for reading — and if you’re ever feeling unsure, remember: no one style of parenting is inherently perfect or flawed. The so-called “perfect parent” doesn’t exist. What does exist is a real parent doing their best, every single day.

Let’s aim not for perfect parenting, but for authentic, loving, intentional parenting.

With love and strength,

Mom Harsha 💛

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