ADVERTISEMENT

A parent’s influence is immense, which is why children—even as grown-ups later in life—are often a reflection of what’s been taught to them over the years. Moms and dads typically try their best to instill what they believe is right, hoping that some things will stick or become a positive habit.

A teacher and a mother of two, Payal Desai went viral on TikTok for her ways of raising her children. In a series of videos titled ‘No Dusty Sons’, she shares the valuable lessons she teaches her boys from an early age in the hopes that their future partners won’t have to deal with certain related issues. Payal’s videos—especially her signature look into the soul of the camera—created quite a buzz online and garnered over 243k followers on her TikTok account.

TikToker’s videos went viral after she shared the things she teaches her two sons

Image credits: payalforstyle

Payal’s videos about raising her boys attract millions of views

@payalforstyle Dust off your journal - time to write it down. #teachingoursons #funny #momsoftiktok #momlife #momofboys #journaling #dustyson #dustydaughter #trending ♬ original sound - Bryan
#2

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
jameskramer avatar
James016
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would that extend to “no mum, I don’t want to be in your videos”?

View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
nicolaasvanos avatar
Nico
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thing that make me uncomfortable is the underlying idea that all men don't understand any of these things unless taught. I am a man and none of these things have been specifically taught. Most men know how to be a good man, without constantly being talked down upon.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
rubee avatar
Ru Bee
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eva It is normal, I teach Biology, I teach the boys at my school that everyone has underarm hair after puberty butI still shave mine. It's itchy if I don't.

adelynroy avatar
Rob(erta) Roy
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just shave my armpits, I'm too lazy to shave my legs or face etc.

jaydenpenzien_1 avatar
baby frog
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it’s a choice. i shave my legs face and armpits because my hair is THICKKK and uncomfortable. my face is a different story, it helps me take care of my skin and helps it absorb things like anti acne serum and moisturizer easier

Load More Replies...
ruelene_284 avatar
Alea Dean
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had ex's tell me to wax my few dark hairs on the edge of my upper lip. As a female, it felt bad having a guy tell me what I "should" be doing so that I'm more feminine

arminmanu avatar
Armin Manu
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How about teaching him to just ✨not embarrass people✨ ...not just women

andycran avatar
Andy Cran
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't mind but just leave my razors alone please buy your own

arch_1 avatar
Arch
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But who taught your boys that it is NOT normal? You're going with the assumption that the default opinion is that it's not normal.

hamwi2000 avatar
mar42991 avatar
Duckie Measles
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In which country or culture has it ever been taboo for males to have facial hair?

Load More Replies...
laurennbridges avatar
Lauren N Bridges
Community Member
8 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

You are also teaching him that women need to take it off, minute as it may be

deamhaynessdoom avatar
Deamhayness Doom
Community Member
8 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

What I see her teaching in this picture is also, that women's facial hair is something she herself is embarrassed of, which is why she's either removing or bleaching it

cruze-henson avatar
Awaybe
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's allowed to have preferences, just as men are allowed to have preferences about their facial hair.

Load More Replies...
misiekmols avatar
Misiek Mols
Community Member
8 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This comment has been deleted.

speciaalvoormijntablet avatar
Vervelende Panda
Community Member
8 months ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Eva, you're right. It's a matter of being the change you want to see in the world. Also, there's a lot of judgement amongst women, it's at least a bit short sighted to put this all on men.

tea_2 avatar
xxx
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nobody is putting this 'all on men' that's your own pre-conceived idea/opinion popping out - she's literally just teaching her son the basics, that every kid should know - regardless of gender.

Load More Replies...
evakasu avatar
Eva Kašu
Community Member
8 months ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

´It´s perfectly NoRMal!" - Then depilates it. Yeah, makes sense.

khwahish_n avatar
Nea
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think its alright. Its normal to have hair and then not want them. Perhaps like nails? I dont know but didnt seem so unreasonable.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
jaydenpenzien_1 avatar
baby frog
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

we’re trying this with my brother. he gets so violent and abusive when upset

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
impossiblekat avatar
Kat Lyle
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best thing I learnt was write a list together so you both know what you want and need and whether or not you have it because you will check for the stuff you mentioned first.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
d_pitbull avatar
D. Pitbull
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah... I know more than a few individuals who need this. As in, no, being helpful or considerate *only* within your own narrow scope of "I feel like it now" (but otherwise being insensitive, dismissive or selfish) does not mean you're being mindful and she's being difficult.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
constancebonneville avatar
Connie Bonneville
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Installing soft close seats and expecting everyone in the house male or female to close the lid before they flush so a plume of feces doesn't sprinkle the whole bathroom

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
sonja-szabrotska avatar
Sonja
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can I put myself in the line behind him while you're in the teaching mood? I am terrible with keeping my pantry organized

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
tea_2 avatar
xxx
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no! This is nightmare territory for me. Imagine being forced to watch 'men's' sports and boom just when you think it's over - MORE SPORT! (Joke :) - don't care if it's men or woman sport, I don't want to watch either haha please don't make me)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#12

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
markbayliss avatar
Mark Bayliss
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or just maybe that if you agree to set off at x time, be ready at x time. It is just as disrespectful to not bother about other people's efforts to be ready at the specified time.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
alleykatt84 avatar
Ali Sherlock
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get the idea behind this but it's been proven that bed bugs thrive in sheets that are covered by doona's etc...leaving the blankets folded at the end of bed for example is better because the open air is deadly to bed bugs.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
kicki avatar
Panda Kicki
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why should she motivate him? If a grown person chooses being a couch potato its their right. Good to have good habits from childhood, but cant see why a partner should be responsible for exercise.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Mom-Teaches-Sons-Perfect-Husband-Lessons-Payal-Desai

payalforstyle Report

Add photo comments
POST
kicki avatar
Panda Kicki
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is "retail theraphy "? Like a shopping spree for mental health? I agree with the cleaning, organizing, period awerness etc, but this confused me.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Some people believed her views are heteronormative, TikToker responded with a video

@payalforstyle Replying to @dezloves ♬ original sound - Payal Desai

Payal’s videos seemingly split the internet into camps; while some praise the woman, others believe her messages might come across as heteronormative. However, quite a few of them on both sides agree that the things she teaches her boys are valuable life lessons and rules of common decency, which should apply to everyone no matter the circumstances.

A piece in the New York Times emphasized that learning manners as a child can bring long-term benefits, as research suggests there’s a positive link between their social skills in kindergarten and success and wellbeing in adulthood.

It also pointed out that praising children for showing sympathy and courtesy, and discussing others’ feelings can help them to develop a sense of empathy. “They’re life skills that help so much with our social and emotional I.Q. — things like recognizing social cues and developing good listening skills,” assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg, told the New York Times.

A 2012 study revealed that being considerate of others and sharing can bring happiness to children as young as toddlers—before the age of two, kids show greater happiness giving treats to others than getting them themselves. One of the academics behind the research, Lara Aknin, told CNBC that such a positive feeling might encourage the child to act this way in the future as well. “Ideally caregivers can scaffold these opportunities to allow kids to give in meaningful and direct ways that lead kids to feel like they have chosen to help,” she said.

When it comes to children and values, quite a few people believe it’s important to instill a sense of responsibility into them as well. According to Pew Research Center, as much as 93% of surveyed adults in the US agree that teaching kids to be responsible is “especially important” and more than half of them believe it might be more important than other traits and qualities.

Unfortunately, there is no one right way to raise kids, whether it’s a son or daughter. But thanks to the internet, parents can share their insight and experiences, which might be beneficial for other moms and dads out there; or fun to watch, at least. And it seems that Payal’s content on how she raises her boys has quite a few fans, who make sure to show their support in the comments under her videos.

The online community showed support and appreciation to the mom in the comments