A mum-of-two has revealed how she controversially pierced her daughter’s ears at just 12 weeks old but won’t jab her children.
Jaymee King, 24, is mum to a little girl aged four and a son, who is one.
And she is not afraid to share some outspoken parenting rules that have ruffled a few feathers online, including her no-sleepover custom and using reins to control her daughter.
In a video shared to Tiktok (@jaymeeking111 ) Jaymee detailed the controversial things she does as a mum, sparking debate and earning over 4,000 views and hundreds of comments.
But, she doesn’t care what others think of her parenting style, as long as her little crew are happy and healthy.
“I make my parenting decisions based on what I think is best for my children, not on what people will think of me for my decisions,” Jaymee, who is from Essex, told What’s The Jam.
“I chose to pierce my daughter’s ears at that age due to the fact they heal quicker and she can’t touch them.
“I know a lot of people don’t agree with this, but I thought at the time it was the best age to do it.”
Jaymee also does not agree with her children getting jabs, preferring to bank on their ready-made immune systems instead.
She said: “I believe children have an immune system for a reason.
“Yes, there is a risk of them becoming unwell, but the ingredients of the injections can cause more risk than the actual illnesses.
“There is also no guarantee they still wont catch diseases even if they had the jabs.
“A lot of people don’t agree, but that’s down to them to do what they think is right for their children.”
The mum also believes in sleeping next to both of her little ones and has set a strict bed time of 6 – 6:30, but says it’s because children need sleep.
“I co-sleep with both of my children because they’re only small for a short time.
“My one-year-old goes to bed at 6pm and my four-year-old at 6.30pm.
“I think it’s very important that they have a bedtime routine.
“It’s not so much that they have to be asleep dead on that time, but I do think it’s important for them to be in bed at the same time every day.
“A lot of people would say it’s too early, but they get up between 5am and 6am and children need sleep.”
To optimise safety, Jaymee also keeps her daughter on reins and does not allow her kids to have sleepovers before they hit two – and even then only with a select few.
She said: “My daughter is currently going through an ADHD diagnosis. She has no awareness of danger and will run away/ into roads, so I use reins or a buggy to keep her safe.
“I do get a lot of funny looks or comments from people saying she is too old, but I don’t care what people think as long as my baby is safe.”
As for staying with others, Jaymee says it’s important a child can communicate first.
“I breastfed my daughter until she was 20 months so she couldn’t be away from me at night, even if I wanted her to be, as she wouldn’t take a bottle.
“A lot of people let their babies and young children stay out. I think do whatever suits you.”
She is just as forthright when it comes to family.
She said: “People think because they are related it means they have a right to be involved.
“Or they won’t be interested for the first few years then decide they want a relationship with the child.
“I don’t agree with this.
“Your behaviour or interest in a child in the first year is the backbone to the relationship.
“If someone hasn’t met my child in at least the first six months, then they don’t have the right to meet them afterwards.
“If my children don’t know you, how can you expect them to want to know you?”
Breastfeeding until the age of one minimum is also a strict ruling.
She explained: “This is a sensitive subject for a lot of people, but I believe that breast is best. I wouldn’t personally give my kids formula if I have breast milk to give them.
‘But I would never judge anyone for choosing not to breastfeed as a lot of people can’t.
“The age-one minimum is due to them being able to have cow’s milk at that age.”
Another parenting quirk is driving tots in a rear-facing car seat until they turn five.
Jaymee said: “A lot of people don’t know the dangers so forward face their children as soon as they can.
“People think their legs will be squashed but I would definitely rather their legs be squashed rear facing than a broken neck from a crash forward facing.”
Online, social media users have had a lot to say about Jaymee’s parenting, with some disbelieving of her choices.
“It baffles me how you won’t protect your kids from serious illnesses but I bet you’d happily allow injections and medical care if they were seriously poorly??… Because you didn’t allow vaccines,” said Beth.
Liv added: “We’ll see if they make it to 10.”
Another commented: “What the actual.”
However, some people are in agreement.
“Yassssss mama 2 poison free babies here too,” said El.
Leanne chimed in: “Thank god, a parent who actually looks into the ingredients that are in jabs. Good on you! Your children are very lucky to have you!”
Speaking about the attention online, Jayme said: ”My video has definitely got some negative reactions but I also have a lot of comments from people agreeing with my decisions.
“Honestly? I don’t care what people think, if I did I would not have posted it as I knew when I did there would be uproar.”
Weighing in on Jaymee’s decision not to vaccinate her children, Dr Gareth Nye, programme lead for medical science at the University of Chester and senior lecturer in anatomy and physiology said:
“Vaccines are crucial in helping our children gain protection from a number of quite serious diseases.
“Not only that, but the more people who are vaccinated, the less a disease can spread, leading to protection for those who are most vulnerable or can’t have vaccines due to their personal medical issues.
“By not vaccinating, you are putting other children at risk, which is why we are seeing increases in whooping cough which should be given as a vaccine within the first few weeks of life.”
“Measles is a big vaccine and prevents very serious outcomes in children, including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain, which on rare occasions can lead to long-term disability or death.
“Ultimately by not vaccinating you are reducing your child’s life expectancy significantly.”
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