Kristin Cavallari has come in for major criticism this week, after referring to herself as a ‘single mum’ while her husband is in another state.
Kristin, best known for starring in reality show Laguna Beach, is married to NFL star Jay Cutler. After signing a multi-million dollar deal with the Miami Dolphins, Jay will be spending the sporting season away from the family home in Tennessee.
Kristin – who is mum to five-year-old Camden, three-year-old Jaxon, and one-year-old Saylor – opened up about the move during a Facebook Live interview with Entertainment Tonight.
“So, I’m a single parent for the next five months. It’s a little chaotic, but in the best way,” she said.
“It’s an hour-and-a-half flight [to Miami], so it’s very doable – it could be worse. But it’s going to be fun for the kids.
“We just moved [to Tennessee] a few months ago, full time, and both my boys are in school. It doesn’t make sense to pack up the family just for five months.”
The 30-year-old may not have been expecting the backlash that followed on ET’s Facebook page, at the end of the broadcast.
“I hate when people say they’re a single parent when their spouse is temporarily away. It’s not a joke to laugh about,” wrote one viewer.
“I’m glad it’s not so hard for you, Kristin Cavallari, with your nanny. Some of us don’t have it so easy. Shame on you for trying to put yourself in the same category as a real single parent!”
Another chimed in: “Amen to that! I hate it too! What single mum has a NANNY?! Not us full time, hard-working, REAL single mums.”
This seemed to be the general consensus on the Facebook comment thread, with another writing: “Yeah, a real single parent. The kind without a nanny, cook, maid, person to run errands, secretary…She will have to drive her own car. Heavens, she will really be slumming it now.”
Others, meanwhile, jumped to the reality star’s defence, insisting that it was clear she was joking.
“Some of you need to get a life…I watched the interview and, as a single parent myself, I didn’t take offence to her comments at all. As a reasonable and rational thinker, I can clearly say in confidence that she wasn’t trying to reveal herself as being a ‘single parent’ as to which most of us would define as single parent,” wrote another.
What are your thoughts, mums?
