Mum fires back at 'judgmental old ladies' criticising daughter’s Kmart meltdown

Navigating the challenges of parenting is tough, especially in the public eye.

Model and former Miss Universe Australia Renae Ayris recently found herself in such a situation when her toddler daughter, Harper, had a tantrum during a shopping trip to Kmart.

The incident led to a scorching response from two older women who criticised Ayris' parenting, leading to a powerful response from the mum.



Like any toddler, Harper became distressed when her grandmother asked her to put away her snacks.

Ayris overheard the two older women commenting on the situation, stating that 'all children were horrible these days' because they were always glued to iPads or iPhones.


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Renae Ayris criticised the women who judged her toddler for throwing a tantrum. Source: @renaeayris/Instagram



The model was quick to defend her daughter, highlighting the lack of understanding and compassion from the women.

In a fiery social media post, Ayris called out the women for their judgmental attitude. 'How about don't judge? You couldn't see Harper, you literally know NOTHING about her,' she wrote.



She further criticised them for generalising all children as 'horrible and disgusting' and blaming technology for their behaviour.

'Do you think I or any other parent enjoys their kid having a tantrum in public!? NO, NO they don't, and it's mainly because of judgmental people like you,' she added.


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Ayris posted about the incident on social media. Source: @renaeayris/Instagram



Ayris and her fitness trainer husband, Andrew Papadopoulos, welcomed Harper Lee in December 2021.

Despite the challenges of parenting, the couple has been open about their love for their daughter.

In a separate post, Ayris shared an adorable picture of Harper's little feet, captioning it, 'I love you and your little feet so much.'



Toddler tantrums are part of child development. They're a sign of a child's frustration and inability to express their feelings adequately. It's important to remember that toddlers are still learning how to navigate their emotions, and tantrums are a part of this learning process.

As parents and grandparents know, while it can be embarrassing when a child has a tantrum in public, it's crucial to handle the situation calmly and patiently. Reacting negatively or giving in to the child's demands can reinforce the behaviour, making it more likely to occur in the future.

The Australian Parenting Website has provided some tips on how to handle children's tantrums. You can read more here.

On the other hand, it's also essential for bystanders to show understanding and empathy towards parents dealing with a child's tantrum. Criticising or judging the parent can add to their stress and make the situation more difficult.

Key Takeaways
  • Model and former Miss Universe Australia Renae Ayris has responded to criticism from two 'judgmental old ladies' after her daughter Harper had a tantrum in a Kmart store.
  • Ayris overheard the women claiming children are horrible nowadays due to the constant use of iPads or iPhones and confronted their judgement with a passionate social media post.
  • The model emphasised that no parent enjoys dealing with public tantrums and highlighted the unnecessary judgement from others, making the situation more difficult.
  • Renae Ayris and her fitness trainer husband, Andrew Papadopoulos, welcomed their daughter Harper Lee in December 2021.

What are your thoughts on this incident, members? Share your experiences in the comments below.
 
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My son was a tantrum thrower my reaction was to sit with him on the floor and hold him - he got over it and so did all the old people clicking their tongues and staring in my direction.
He’s now a successful businessman/ father of 3 lovely children and a very good son to me.
No criminal activities or bad behaviour.
 
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Reactions: Clancieblue
I find people are being much more judgmental these days. Nobody knows the story behind the issues so stop making judgments unless you can walk a mile in their shoes.
 
Take the Child outside in the fresh Air ,distract them, cuddle them for reassurance ,make sure their Diet is healthy ,that they are getting enough Naps each Day , check they are not unwell ,if Cognitively of Age ,Set reasonable limits and boundaries for negative behaviours, take aways priviledges rather than smacking
i am exhausted just reading what to do.
 

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