A mother has been slammed and accused of neglecting her child after revealing her money-saving hack for eating outside.
21-year-old Karlie Smith from Ohio is a mother of a two-year-old toddler who came up with a controversial idea to save money while eating at restaurants with her family.
As the young mom revealed in her viral TikTok post, she packs her son’s lunch in advance so that she doesn’t have to order and pay for his food at the restaurant.
In her candid clip, Karlie revealed that this not only helps her save money but also prevents food from being wasted because the toddler sometimes just plays with his food or throws it around.
“Call me cheap, call me whatever, but if we’re going out to a restaurant, I’m packing my kid a meal,” the mother said.
“I do this for many reasons. On Friday nights my family and I get together and tonight were getting food out, my son is not getting food out.
“For one, you want me to pay $6.99 for chicken tenders and fries that my son is going to throw half of it on the floor. Also, whatever I pack is probably gonna be healthier than what the restaurant has anyways.”
She concluded: “Also, when we get to a restaurant my child is not waiting for anyone to take his order. He wants to eat now. I can just hand him this and let him go to town.”
The video has since received mixed responses with some viewers accusing the mom of neglecting her child and not treating him as an equally important member of the family.
“My brother in law’s step father used to do this to him as abuse,” one person commented.
“I could never, the guilt would eat at me also if we cant all eat out, then none of us do,” another suggested.
A third wrote: “I can see why you’re doing this if your kid has allergies but if you’re cheap stay home and eat there.”
Others went on to accuse the mother of putting restaurants and staffers in an uncomfortable situation by bringing outside food into their establishments.
While the mother wasn’t spared the backlash, she also received some words of support from parents who thought her “hack” was brilliant.
“I do this too! Smartest and most financially sound choice I’ve ever made!” one mother agreed.
“I think it’s smart. A day will come when said kid asks for everything. Why not cut costs when you can. Plus mom is sharing,” another said.
A third defended the mom saying: “How is this abuse? She knows what her two year old will eat and prepares for that. Sounds like pretty good parenting to me, actually.”
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