Mum blasted over decision to stop hugging son because he was becoming 'too dependent'

A mum has come under fire after admitting to 'weaning' her son off hugs because he was becoming 'too dependent' on them.

The anonymous parent says her son needed to learn how to better control his emotions on his own because he was needing a hug to sooth him after a tantrum.

The post, which was shared on Reddit but has since been removed, said the parents were no longer willing to offer hugs to make the child feel better, writes Femail.

The mum said the boy had even turned to his teacher for hugs, which infuriated his parents.

They wrote: "My son is about nine and a half years old.

The anonymous parent says her son needed to learn how to better control his emotions on his own because he was needing a hug to sooth him after a tantrum. (Getty Images/Blend Images)

"I used to hug him all the time, and whenever he was even slightly upset, he would come to me to soothe him.

"He became so dependent on me, he had trouble controlling his own emotions, to the point he still had tantrums like a toddler (they haven't fully stopped yet), so I started to wean him off hugs.

"I recently found out that he had been getting hugs from his teacher. Not only is this really weird, but it's literally stunting his emotional growth.

"When I confronted her, she blew up and lectured me on how nine-year-olds 'need' hugs. I think that's complete bulls***.

"I stopped being actively hugged at six, and most nine-year-olds don't have the same emotional issues my son does."

The anonymous parent says her son needed to learn how to better control his emotions on his own because he was needing a hug to sooth him after a tantrum. (Getty Images)

However her comments left other parents shocked with more than 3,000 people responding before it was removed.

One person said: "Who TF considers hugs a source of emotional damage ?! Hugs are amazing at any age. Someone give OP a hug so he can stop being an a**hole."

Another posted: "I hope you find sympathy for YOUR child who just needs a hug to feel love because you obviously aren't providing enough of it at home to the point that their teacher has to provide it."

A third said: "I am a grown a** man, and I still need hugs everyday, especially when I'm sad. WTF?!"

Someone else added: "Hugs don't stunt emotional growth, but deprivation of kindness and human contact absolutely will. Where in earth did you get this idea?? Humans NEED hugs. Touch starvation is a real thing."

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