Let Kids Be Kids = Let Adults Be Adults

This article was written six years ago by our founder, Sic. As we revisited it, we felt our mission of Let Kids Be Kids is far deeper than the words suggest. Behind it lies the idea to Let Adults Be Adults and Let Me Be Me. We are revisiting archives like these to share the heart of why we do what we do.

Those who know me well know I have two sons, aged five and seven. People often tell me how sweet and well-behaved they are, to which I usually think, 'You haven't seen them when they are being naughty!'

When we first registered our company, we chose a name that translates to 'Little Monsters'. We wanted to express that children aren't always little angels, and they shouldn't have to be. They should be allowed to be exactly who they are, full of joy, anger, and sorrow, without baggage or expectations. This eventually led to the birth of PUPUPULA and our slogan, Let Kids Be Kids!

I once told a colleague that when I go home at night, I like to eat potato chips and watch TV dramas. He was shocked. "Don't your sons try to steal your chips? Doesn't the TV disturb them?"

I explained two things. First, they have their own rooms. Second, they certainly try to steal my chips, but I have set a clear boundary: "You can have chips, but the ones in my room are mine. You cannot have them unless I choose to give them to you." To prove the point, I gave them their own bag to enjoy right then and there.

The same applies to my phone. They don't play with it because they have their own iPads. My phone is mine, and I do not play with their iPads any more than they play with my phone. The logic is simple and direct, yet I find many people struggle to apply it. Often, a third party will intervene and say, "Oh, just let them have a little bit!" But this isn't about being stingy. I am a mother, but I am also an independent individual.

Space for Each Other

This philosophy extends to my relationship with my husband. Our schedules rarely match. When I wake up, he has just gone to sleep; when I get home, he is still in meetings.

Recently, I asked him, 'Why do you love me?' He sighed and said it was because I don't 'manage' him. He doesn't need to ask for permission to be himself. It took me a long time to realise how many adults feel 'unfree' after marriage. I realise he is an adult responsible for his own actions. Interference only works temporarily. Whether it is quitting smoking or waking up early, change only happens if the person truly wants it.

Beyond habits, there are hobbies. Whether it is gaming or grabbing a drink with friends, these moments are rare and valuable for an adult. If I am not asking him to accompany me to do something else, why shouldn't he spend his time on what he loves?

I grew up with a similar sense of freedom. My parents respected my space. They allowed me to bring home stray cats, join a band, and even travel alone to Shanghai before I was eighteen. They let me be, and it shaped who I am. I often wonder if I can do the same for my children as they grow.

As an Independent Person

While living in the US, I met a friend who worked as a part-time barista in a coffee van. He was thirty, incredibly passionate about coffee, and spent his weekends driving five hours to go skiing. He didn't have what most would call a 'steady' career.

I asked myself: if my child turned out like this, would I be upset? My husband didn't hesitate: 'Of course not.' He is right. My child might be a natural barista. He doesn't have to live according to our blueprints.

Does this mean we don't 'parent' at all? There is no standard answer. For my children, I aim to provide a safe environment, observe their interests, and create the conditions for them to go deeper into what they love. For my husband, I trust him as an adult to balance his work, his family, and his own joy.

I treat both my husband and my children as 'independent people'. In a family, when we support each other’s passions and respect each other’s boundaries, we actually grow closer. It allows me to pursue my own work and hobbies without fear or guilt.

PUPUPULA is about more than just children's products. It is about a world where kids can be kids, adults can be adults, and I can simply be me.