INFLUENCER TAKES YOUNG BOYS GROCERY SHOPPING TO TEACH THEM ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY

PEOPLE

 

Influencer Takes Young Boys Grocery Shopping to Teach Them About 'Responsibility,’ but Moms Notice One Issue

By Meredith Wilshere  Published on April 5, 2026 06:00AM EDT

 

King Randall knows that important life skills — such as grocery shopping, restaurant etiquette and more — aren't always taught to young boys, leaving them without a solid foundation as they get older and head out into the world. So, he decided to do something about it.

 

In 2019, Randall, a father himself, created a mentorship program called The X for Boys, teaching elementary schoolers in Georgia practical, real-world knowledge.

 

Recently, he took a group of boys grocery shopping — and the footage of their experience went viral. He gave the boys a $150 budget and taught them the basics, from how to structure a grocery list for efficiency, the importance of checking things off and the differences between products, such as apple types and milk varieties.

 

In the video, the 26-year-old walked them through the store while talking about each of the different sections.

 

“For me, the video wasn’t really about grocery shopping. It was about responsibility,” Randall tells PEOPLE. “We’re teaching these boys how to think, how to communicate and how to handle real-life situations — things a lot of adults still struggle with."

 

The video, which was split into two parts, garnered a combined 13 million views. While most of the comments were positive, a few people, particularly mothers, called out the part when Randall told the boys to call their future wives if they ever had a question about the right product.

 

“We’re probably going to call our wife 10 times,” Randall said in the video. 

 

One person wrote, “Love it but….can ya ask the wife prior to going to the store for specific apples or brands and NOT call the wife 10 times? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.”

 

“Teach them they're responsible for making the list too, not just the wives,” another chimed in, while someone else echoed the sentiment, writing, “Make the list. Don’t make your wife make the list. You don’t always have a wife. You don’t always have children. You still have to feed yourself. You are responsible for yourself and your budget.”

 

Randall insists that “the conversation around it just shows how needed these lessons are.”

 

“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised by the response. I think it shows how many people feel strongly about how kids are being raised today,” Randall shares.

 

“If someone comes across the video, I’d want them to understand that this isn’t about roles or control, it’s about preparation,” he adds.

 

The goal, he says, is to “make sure these boys grow into capable young men who can take care of themselves and the people around them.”

 

In an interview with TODAY.com, Randall explained that he is teaching the boys to ask questions about things they aren't sure about. He noted that "every wife is different," and rather than guess and bring home the wrong item, some partners might prefer to be asked directly, even if that results in several calls. He also emphasized that he teaches the boys to pay attention to small details, so over time, they will become more attuned to their own household and won't need to double-check these things.

 

The father of three started The X for Boys as a way to bring guidance and lessons to boys ages 7 to 9.

 

Randall told TODAY that he grew up with a “full family” which included his grandfather, stepdad and uncles.

 

“They taught me how to work on cars and houses, and how to grow food. And then I saw so many young men who didn’t have that, who were struggling with just basic things ... and no programs for them,” Randall shared.

 

In addition to grocery shopping, the program also teaches basic cooking skills, how to iron, how to read mile markers, how to make appointments, laundry tips and more.

 

Randall hopes the program will help them build key habits, in addition to confidence.

 

“It’s a big confidence builder for them,” Randall told TODAY, “just learning how to do things for themselves.”

 

The five-day-a-week program is free for families and funded by small donations. The participants are picked up from school, fed and sent back home with essentials like socks, detergent and toothbrushes.

 

“When you make good decisions, you get good outcomes. That’s what we’re trying to teach them early,” Randall told the outlet.