Family Life

'I wish this mama could find our tribe' - reaction to viral snap of mum and baby in airport

It's official – the world of the internet has lost the plot.

While sitting in an airport waiting to board a flight with her baby, a mum was photographed on her phone. 

Her tot was lying on a blanket on the floor, stretching out, while Mum was looking at her device. 

 

A post shared by @mombabble on

Now – let us ask the question: What was she doing on her phone?

Was she playing games and scrolling Facebook, oblivious to her child, or was she perhaps texting her husband, Facetiming her mum, taking a picture of her little tot or simply taking five?

Next question: Does it matter?

 

A post shared by @mombabble on

In our opinion, it doesn't, because at the end of the day this mama was alone in an airport with her baby, waiting to board a flight. 

Her scenario could be one of a million things, and we don't think there should ever be an issue with allowing your child stretch out on the floor, and there's certainly nothing wrong with being on your phone. 

These are things we do in the everyday which should never be shamed – however, one man felt the need to take a photo of this mum and her baby, uploading it to the internet alongside the quote:

"I fear the day that technology will take on our humanity… the world will be populated by a generation of idiots."

 

A post shared by @mombabble on

We felt it was a grossly unfair assumption, and we're incredibly glad to realise we're not the only ones. 

Mum blogger, Mary Katherine Backstrom, also felt the picture was offensive and downright malicious, stating: "No. Just no."

"We do not snap photos of exhausted mothers in the airport and shame them publicly. This is gross and needs to stop. I've been this woman."

Mary Katherine can relate to the situation, being the exhausted mum who's flight was delayed, had no sleep and fearing a baby might fall from your arms if you accidently nodded off. 

We have ALL been there, on numerous occasions, and the last thing we would need in that scenario is to see a viral photograph of us doing something every single person does, and being shamed for it. 

See the thing is, once a photo is put up on the internet you can never take it back – and while this man may have thought he was being smart, he could have completely dented one mother's confidence. 

"I wish this mama could find our tribe. I wish she'd know that there is a whole slew of people who DON'T SUCK like this guy."

 

A post shared by @mombabble on

"I wish she knew that there are mamas who understand exhaustion and imperfection and don't choose to pounce someone in their weakest moment," added Mary Katherine. 

While Mary Katherine is thankful for having a solid mum tribe behind her, she also calls on mums to stick together, especially in times like these.

We want to know what you think about this scenario? Considering this could be any one of us at any moment, how would you feel to be in the firing line?

Would you like to be part of our Mums Who Inspire series? Simply email mumswhoinspire[at]magicmum.com and we'll feature your story (and, no, you don't have to be the best storyteller to get involved!).

The Parenting Masterclass with MummyPages takes place on Saturday, 21st OctoberBook now and get your place at a choice of workshops including First Aid, Money Matters, Weaning, Bullying and Mental Health.

 

Search
Search results for
View all