Parent Cautions Against Letting Kids 'Be Weird'—Internet Doesn't Know How to Feel

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jul 20, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

How much control should a parent have over their child's personality?

Part of the joy (and anxiety) of parenting is getting to watch your kids grow into their own person. There is a certain wonderment to be able to look at these human beings you made and see them develop their personality traits, ambitions, and interests, whether independent of your influence or following in your footsteps.

Everybody has slightly different ideas of what contributes the most to the ways that children develop. The nature vs. nurture debate is one of the most hotly contested topics in parenting, and there are strong arguments for the influence of either side. Still, it has to be said that a vital part of being a parent is taking care with the stuff that you can control. It is important to treat children with care and do your best to be a good influence on them.

The sad reality is that even some of the parents who seem to do everything right will not guarantee that their child grows up to be a pleasant and well-adjusted adult. It is one of the many risks that come from having kids. At the same time, it is imperative that they try to point them in the right direction. That isn't going to look the same for everyone, and there is no denying this will be more of a challenge for some children than for others. There is also the issue of respecting a child's individuality while making sure they are raised right.

 

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  • In a viral post from X, one user took a skeptical approach to a woman they had found on TikTok who preached the importance of parents not allowing children to be too weird. It seemed like her viewers agreed with her, even naming some of the things that they made their child avoid out of a fear that it would be a bad influence.

    Many X users felt like this advice was a step too far, and not a fair way to raise children. Others, though, were in agreement with this advice to guide kids to the normie side of life. Perhaps it all depends on a parent's personal tolerance for weirdness.

  • gayson @g4ysOn Oh alright Do not let your child be weird Search: weird kid superiority complex R 2,113 comments = user830418112333197 ☑ I get heat for this but anime is a no in this house. It opens a lot of doors to social circles and groups that are "weird". 2d Reply View 93 replies 11.9K Киргизка Weird kids grow up to be weird adults and they're so annoying in the workplace. It's exhausting. Yes, nip it in the bud early. 22h Reply View 27 replies 17.1K
    via g4ys0n
  • Finder @finderrio people who hate others for being weird (esoteric/uncommon interests, caring about things etc.) are genuinely subhuman
    via finderrio
  • Naqeeb @Strikeball32 Actual coworkers in real life: "Oh, you're into anime? Nice, what shows have you seen?"
    via Strikeball32
  • maman, esq. @littlstrawberry Imagine thinking your kids won't resent you for treating them like trained animals instead of their own people with autonomy
    via littlstrawberry
  • Dot @QWERTYremembers "Weird kids become adults I find annoying so we should nip their interests in the bud❞ it's a little scary how few people are capable of being normal socially aware adults. People are going to be annoying, grow up and deal with it.
    via QWERTYremembers
  • @haefairie @haefairie some parents are more concerned about raising a "weird kid" than possibly raising a bu y or bigot
    via haefaerie
  • Red Drummarts @redrummarts It's funny when people haven't seen the tide has already passed. Your kid is just gonna end up a different kind of weird. The "my parents didn't let me watch Spongebob or read Harry Potter" kind of weird. Tragic
    via redrummarts
  • arielle @reallygordon when i was in elementary/ middle school my mom used to beg me to stop "making myself weird" and it worked and in college i got into a top tier sorority :) but there is a gnawing emptiness... can't think too deeply about it :)
    via reallygordon
  • Maggie @maggiemoda Y'all don't want to hear it, but a lot of these weird, niche, nerdy interests are gateways to the most destructive subcultures on the internet.
    via maggiemoda
  • easy e @eatpraydiehard i came across this woman on tiktok and she's actually great. her whole thing is to well socialize your kids. discourage them from strange obsessive hobbies or interests. don't let them have weird friends. it's a message we don't hear enough of and is increasingly important
    via eatpraydehard
  • Solus @Ersatz_Solus Normies disturb me. Every time I think "there's no way they're just drones to capital and the wind of society, I'm just being a pretentious nerd" they just state they are with no shame. Like the "don't be the annoying coworker" thing is way too on the nose.
    via Ersatz_Solus
  • Allie + @allie_voss This woman's content is fantastic, btw, and she's right on this Also I think some parents like their child being weird and socially isolated because they don't want their child to leave them for other friends/social circles
    via allie__voss
  • physically imposing bal... @meatprison2 honestly real i dont mind if you're weird but you're gonna be like sylvia plath weird... weird and cultured...im not having that hazbin hotel sh in my house
    via meatprison2
  • storkii: unfiltered @storkii_alt just want their kid to be a no-personality ai bot that roams around doing basic activities
    via storkii_alt

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weird kid kids modern discourse parenting
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