Many moms face scrutiny when it comes to their parenting style, and the decisions they make when raising their families. It is something that should never happen, as we all face our own struggles and make the decisions that are best for our individual families. Whether or not to get help around the house, by way of a hired nanny, is a topic that sees both rave reviews and extensive criticism. Some people feel it is not appropriate for your children to be raised with the influence and bond of another person, while others value the ability to have a nanny assist and create balance in their home.
Celebrity moms are even more highly scrutinized for the parenting choices they make, and Hilaria Baldwin just experienced that first-hand. She was recently blasted on social media when it became public knowledge that she had rented nearby accommodations for her nanny to ensure she was close, another instance of shaming and criticism that shouldn't exist.
Hilaria silenced these haters very quickly by snapping back and saying,
"It is okay to accept help, and there is no shame that other people should give you because of that."
The Juggle Is Real
The juggle is very real for Hilaria. She is already a mom-of-four and there's a lot of juggling and struggling that takes place in her household. Alec Baldwin has a 24-year-old daughter, and Hilaria and Alec have had 4 children together –one more on the way. Romeo Alejandro David is just 2-years-old, Leonardo Ángel Charles is 3½, and Rafael Thomas is 5. Their daughter, Carmen Gabriela is 6½. That's a whole lot of parenting she has on her plate, with much of Alec Baldwin's attention going to his career including regular appearances on Saturday Night Live.
Hilaria has been incredibly concerned amid the pandemic, Alec is 62-years-old and deemed to be at high-risk due to his age. Hilaria is at high-risk due to the fact that her immune system is lower because of her pregnancy. This means she has been hunkered down with the kids for many months now and has been trying to tackle parenting, homeschooling, all their immediate needs, and of course, her career –all at the same time.
Is it strange for someone in this position to enlist the assistance of a nanny in their home?
Seeking Help Shouldn't Be Shamed
Haters beware, Hilaria won't take this assault on her character without a few choice of words with which to snap back. She has made it abundantly clear that she is very much involved in the daily lives of her children and just because she has a nanny, that does not mean she is relinquishing her time with her kids in any way. She just needs some help to cope with it all, and she isn't ashamed to ask for help or take steps to ensure that support is in place for her family.
She told Fox News, "People will write to you and say, ‘Ugh, she has a nanny’ -- but that doesn’t mean that you don’t take care of your own kids. It literally means I am also working." We have to ask ourselves if this is really something she needs to defend, and why some people are so quick to judge the needs and decisions of other people. It's wise and healthy to ask for help when it is needed. Preserving mental health and knowing when to reach out for assistance should never be criticized.
Hilaria has been unapologetic about getting the help that she needs to make her household operate properly. She has expressed that she and Alec do not have family nearby to pitch in and assist with their little brood, and she feels overwhelmed and in need of some help.
Do Nannies Need More Public Credit?
It seems one of the reasons that critics are lacing into Hilaria for having a nanny is the fact that she admits to having one, but doesn't publicly credit the nanny the way that other celebrities do. This opens up conversations about whether or not this is necessary or expected. It seems this would be something that is discussed between each family and would be a personal decision each family unit makes; yet, the expectations run high for celebrity moms who are eternally under scrutiny.
Celebrities such as Amy Schumer and Chrissy Teigen have "openly shared how grateful they are for their caregivers, highlighting how much work goes into raising children and how necessary having extra help can be for many parents." It seems to be perceived that this is the necessary course of action to take, but it's important for critics to realize that Hilaria's situation may be very different. There's no telling if her nanny would even be comfortable with this, or what's their personal arrangement.
There's no one-size-fits-all formula for parenting, and each parent should be able to make the decisions that they feel are best for their families. Perhaps if we had to defend our positions a bit less, we'd have more time to focus on what counts: our kids.