I’m a traveller – 6 rules my SON has to live by that country folk find odd, it’s not just girls who have to toe the line

A TRAVELLER mum has revealed the exact rules her son has to live by growing up in a half Irish traveller and English gypsy household.

Heidi Mcdongh Clee regularly shares snippets of what life is like withing the gypsy and traveller community on social media - this time spilling the rules kids have in their culture.

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The mum-of-two recently shared the rules her six-year-old daughter had to live by but received some criticism form people assuming it was just her daughter who had rules.

This time, Heidi set the record straight and shared the rules her son must adhere to.

"I've been asked over and over about my sons rules, so here we go," she captioned the clip.

As Heidi is married to an English gypsy - she said the rules from each of their cultures slightly differs so her tots will be growing up with rules from both.

She said: "I think people like to think that traveller and gypsy boys don't have any rules, but that's not the case, they have a lot of rules."

The mum went on to explain that her son will be able to drink alcohol before he gets married, unlike her daughter.

She added this did not mean she would be letting him get drunk whenever he wanted and she and his father would have final say other who his friends are and where he goes.

"It also comes down to where he's going, so if he wanted to go out on a Sunday to a dance or a wedding or whatever, we would want to know who is going to be there," she explained.

"What kind of company is going to be there, and if we thought that it wasn't a place we want to go - he won't be allowed to go.

Heidi added that traveller and gypsy boys are taught from a young age the importance of working hard, adding that if they want nice things they have to work for them unlike the girls in the community who can expect their parents to pay for stuff.

"At the minute, my son is obviously too young to work, but there are certain things he can do," she continued.

"So he has to go walk the dog, that is his job, he has to get up and get that sorted."

Her son can also be expected to help his dad unload the van to instil a good work ethic.

Heidi also explained that he wasn't able to sit in a room if there was a group of women sitting and chatting, and the same went for her daughter who couldn't be with a group of men.

However, the mum said her son was taught from a young age how to act around women, how to be respectful and how to treat them well.

"As well the importance of treating woman with a very high level of respect," she said.

The mum explained that on a recent holiday to Belgium her son brought back some personalised chocolate for his 'girlfriend' in school and the parents encouraged him treating her to a gift.

Although the relationship didn't last, Heidi said she would continue to keep her son treating women with sweet gestures.

Plus, Heidi added that just like her daughter, her son would not be allowed to attend sleepovers unless it was with close family members.

The clip posted to her TikTok account @h.mccc was a hit with viewers who took to the comments to share their thoughts on the rules Heidi and her husband had set.

One person wrote: "I would like to extend my thanks again for you sharing your heritage and culture with us here on the internet! I appreciate being educated, gaining understanding & developing respect for your culture."

Another commented: "I love your videos and learning about your culture! So interesting!"

"Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights in your traditions and upbringing of your children," penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: "Heidi, you are such a beautiful confident lady.I might not agree with all of your ideas, but respect to you and your gorgeous family."

Someone else added: "Sounds like a very good upbringing and respectful."

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