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'Molly-Mae Hague's parenting woes are tougher than most - she shouldn't be shamed for it'

'Molly-Mae Hague's parenting woes are tougher than most - she shouldn't be shamed for it'

Daily Mirror5 days ago
EXCLUSIVE: Former Love Island star and mum-of-one Molly-Mae Hague says she's overwhelmed by motherhood amid backlash - but experts have urged fans to be empathic over critical
Reality star and influencer Molly-Mae Hague has recently revealed the intense challenges she is facing as a mother, openly sharing moments of emotional strain as she navigates parenthood with two-year-old daughter Bambi.

The former Love Island star, 26, welcomed Bambi with partner Tommy Fury in 2023, but Molly-Mae has been faced with seemingly endless challenges since. However, an expert has insisted that her candidness offers an important reminder of the realities many new parents endure but are rarely seen or discussed publicly.

In a recent tearful video, Molly-Mae spoke about feeling overwhelmed amid the pressures of raising her daughter Bambi, particularly as she goes through what many know as the "terrible twos." It comes after Molly-Mae sobbed in a YouTube video after she was called 'out of touch' by fans.

The 25-year-old said: 'I just feel overwhelmed. I feel like my brain is jumbled, and I don't feel like myself anymore.'
She described the exhaustion and mental load that come with constant parenting demands, admitting that motherhood has been far tougher than she anticipated.
The video struck a chord with many parents, who praised her honesty, though it also drew criticism from others who accused her of being 'out of touch' due to her high-profile lifestyle and for being "too soft" when Bambi throws her tantrums.

However, behavioural experts say Molly-Mae's experience is far from unusual and stresses the importance of compassion in tough parenting situations like hers.
Dr. Hannah Richards, a behavioural psychologist specialising in parental wellbeing, told The Mirror: "Parenthood is a profound psychological and emotional transition.

"Feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and self-doubt are common, especially during challenging developmental stages like the toddler years. For public figures like Molly-Mae, the scrutiny intensifies the pressure, making it harder to cope."
Dr. Richards points out that societal expectations often create an unrealistic picture of motherhood as always joyful and as easy as it looks. 'The truth is much more complex. Parenting involves highs and lows, and being honest about struggles is crucial to breaking down stigma.'

Molly-Mae's decision to share her vulnerability publicly is helping to broaden conversations about the true nature of parenting. 'It's okay not to have everything figured out,' she recently said, encouraging others to be open about their difficulties.
Her experience with Bambi's 'terrible twos', which is a stage marked by increased independence and testing behaviours, can be challenging for any parent says Dr. Richards.
"This developmental phase can push parents to their limits, and admitting to struggles is a sign of strength, not weakness," she says.

Despite the huge backlash from thousands of fans, other supporters applauded Molly-Mae for shedding light on the emotional realities many parents face in private. One fan commented: "Seeing her be so honest helps people understand they're not alone in feeling overwhelmed."
Another echoed: "She's literally a 26-year-old girl trying to navigate being in the public eye, being a businesswoman, and being a mum. Give her some grace."

As more public figures like Molly-Mae share their honest journeys, mental health professionals are hoping that society will grow more empathetic and supportive toward new parents.
'Instead of judging, we should offer understanding and compassion," Dr. Richards concludes. "Parenthood is one of life's most demanding transitions and everyone deserves support. People shouldn't judge Molly-Mae for being honest."
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She later went on: 'I feel like I don't want to talk about anything controversial anymore because in the last video I said some things I probably could have worded better and even with all the motherhood things I am talking about at the minute, it's just a lot'. 'Debunking that whole thing about me feeling like I shouldn't talk about what is going on in the day because I am scared about what people will think and what they have to say about it'. Moving on to Tommy, with whom she rekindled her romance earlier this year, she explained why he hadn't featured in her Vlogs despite them being back together. 'I've see so many comments saying "[My sister] Zoe is more the dad" I only vlog when I am not with Tommy, I am with Tommy literally 80% of the week and he is with Bambi majority of the week,' 'But I Vlog when we are here and he is at his because it's just something that I am not ready to like open up with yet and like flinging the camera around like when we're a family'. 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I did a lot of research though. 'I think it is just personal preference, and our preference was that this isn't for us, and we are making the executive decision to go enjoy our anniversary somewhere we know that we love and can relax and can drink the water.'

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