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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
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James016
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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”?

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Nico
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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.

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Ru Bee
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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.

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baby frog
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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

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Kat Lyle
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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.

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D. Pitbull
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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.

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Connie Bonneville
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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

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Sonja
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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

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xxx
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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)

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Mark Bayliss
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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.

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Ali Sherlock
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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.

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Panda Kicki
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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.

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Panda Kicki
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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.

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xxx
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hate this one, massively disagree with it sorry. Retail 'therapy' is B******T and a massive problem. Treat yourself yes! but if you are fixing your problems with 'shopping' you're adding to the problem of over-consumption and giving your kids the idea that 'things' will fix your problems. No no nooooo, please do not teach your kids this...

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geezeronthehill
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Buy what you need, not what the consumer industrial complex has hypnotized you into thinking you need. The landfills are overflowing.

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Lytse Draak
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Retail therapy??? The post about skin care already gave it away, but thus woman is teaching things that require her boy to have a good income and be okay to pay for whatever the girl wants to buy. I don't agree with this. Teach your son home economics instead of consumerism.

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Tina Kathrarg
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do most of my shopping online and I have to admit there's something I enjoy about having strange men show up at my door, bearing gifts! Thank you FedEx, UPS & USPS 😉

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Zedrapazia
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wtf? So she basically says; Shopping addiction shall never be shopped!

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Timbob
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I started out liking this post, but it has gotten totally ridiculous, and I won’t finish it !

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Toni
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you mean addiction, not therapy. kind of contradictory.

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Skulls.N.Succulents
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm fine with window shopping therapy but I'm not about to spend money on stuff I don't need to make me feel better when what would REALLY make me feel better is more money!!

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H Nunya
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes you have to think about whether you need something because of money, or because you might end up with waste because you really didn’t need it. I appreciate this one though, and agree, as long as it isn’t a consistent thing.

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Ron Man
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or maybe teach him to deal with his problems instead of covering them up with shopping or eating?

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Darren Craig
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe teach everyone that thrift shops are great places to buy brand name clothes at ten cents on the dollar.

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Amanda Hosler
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not anymore. Prices are getting ridiculous! A jacket at target $30. A jacket at a thrift store with simular design near me ? $20. I have to wait for tag colors to go on sale!

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Josh Gilland
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Retail therapy isn't therapy. It's a coping mechanism that enables spending money to get dopamine instead of actual healthy coping mechanism. Until debts hits it's not bad but definitely not a good one either.

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VegasMade09
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many moms are made to feel bad for treating themselves. We give our last to our families then are expected to only buy what is needed. That needs to stop. Yes mom needs retail therapy.

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Amanda Hosler
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8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not if there house is full of random stuff they never use or really need.

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Sparkysheep
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My 'retail therapy' is window shopping on Amazon. Lol I even put it in a "like but not buy" list just to have that extra bit of dopamine that one might get from spending money ;P

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Serenity Destiny
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've taught my son all of these and he grew up to be the most caring and compassionate young man. He's a wonderful, patient and attentive husband and he's thrilled to be a first time daddy in just a few months. Keep up the good work with your boys. It really does pay off.

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Flexi Panda
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or maybe, for the sake of our planet, we should normalize that constant shopping for things you don't need is not OK

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Lacia Lew
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My therapy consists of reading 40-50K words per day, a cup of good coffee, bubble tea in the weekend, and going to actual psychologist once a month

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Alexandr Tęgrăma
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Measure... And, like, respect for when he pays more for the common things...

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Amanda Hosler
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or you could teach them to be smart with their money so their family doesn't get into debt for your "retail therapy"

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Charles Duncan
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I am so sorry for this husband and their eventual divorce. I can only imagine the mental issues of these two boy. Growing up with a mother who hates men this much. The comments from other women are just as bad. Men are not all bad and do not require training from birth, they just need to be born to normal people. This woman and all the women in the comments need SERIOUS therapy.

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Charles Duncan
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teaching MY son what Misandry is so he doesn't wonder what is wrong with women like this one. I don't need to spend much time teaching him the 'lessons' in her posts because he is a normal human male raised by normal people. He also understands that men are not natural inferior to woman so I guess he's already smarter and better than this turd of a human being..

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Rick Ruckus
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another L. Teaching him to waste money instead of a healthy productive, sustainable outlet

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Beeg Wang
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh no oh no. how about exercise? better way to release endorphins. or better, walk your dog then everyone benefits

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Brent Echols
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The family, since it's BOTH of their money. Guy shouldn't control everything. If the budget allows, each should be able to treat themselves now & then.

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James016
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hopefully they will have plenty of cash otherwise it will be “do you really need that?” And “we can’t afford it this month”

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Michele Garrard
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All these lessons she's teaching this kid. I feel sorry for her prospective DIL! Now that mom has created the "perfect husband" she's going to be mighty discerning who he chooses as a mate

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

Wtf. No. Your teaching your son to appreciate toxic behaviors at this point.

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Misiek Mols
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8 months ago

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Giavonni Tridone
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8 months ago

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"Retail therapy"=""credit card debt" Maybe teach your girls to just cry in the shower and save money?

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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