Molly Mae, Lauren Goodman etc

[stressedand]

I've been thinking about this for a while and wondered what others opinions were?

Both Molly Mae and Lauryn Goodman have been in the news recently talking about how difficult it is being a single parent. The comments are often split with people saying they don't deserve sympathy because they have it easy financially and others saying things like 'I literally cry for you, you have it so hard' etc.

I am not sure where I stand, although I'm not crying for either of them!

On the one hand, being a single parent is difficult, making all of the decisions and dealing with all of the life admin is tough for anyone. But, they both have access to huge amounts of money and resources which will make things much easier surely?

Lauryn Goodman lives rent free in a 2 million pound house, gets around 12k per month, a nanny, child care and private school fees, a new car periodically, a holiday allowance etc

Molly Mae has the same although pays for it herself, she also has an assistant. I'm sure she gets some maintenance from her ex partner too.

I wonder do others feel sympathy for these women or do you think they have it easy?

To head off some comments:

Why do you care?

I don't really care that much it's just something I have pondered over the last week or so. I think it's interesting to hear others thoughts.

Who are they?

Molly Mae is an influencer, who went on love island and now owns a few very successful businesses. She recently split with her child's father but he still sees the little one. She recently brought out a documentary.

Lauren Goodman has 2 children with Kyle Walker (England and Man City/Milan footballer) who he fathered behind his wife's back, beyond financially Walker does not have anything to do with these children. She has been in the news a lot for what she asked Kyle to pay for at court, mainly she wanted him to pay for air con and a football pitch to be installed at her home.

I've been a lone parent for 14 years.

The situation in terms of its difficulty really does depend on income.

I've been lucky as I have a great career but the early years were a massive struggle yes, and there is the whole emotional burden of doing absolutely everything. There is also a massive difference between being a single parent and a lone parent.

Lone parents don't get any breaks, single parents have shared custody.

What's the AIBU question?

But opinion wise, they both have masses of followers so they will attract polarising opinions about their life. Both sets of opinions probably continue to earn them lots of money as it's what keeps them being interviewed for TV, podcasts and other media.

Of course if all other things are equal it is easier to have fewer/no money worries but it doesn't make other life challenges go away entirely.

I'm not sure what you're looking for from this thread? There isn't a straight "they are to be pitied" "they have nothing to be stressed or sad about" verdict to be found.

I wouldn’t recognise either of them if I saw them in the street but I expect single parenting is emotionally hard whatever your income but overall it’s got to be easier if you’re either stinking rich or getting everything paid for by some rich bloke.

Interesting point about lone/single parents and the difference.

I am not looking for a straight answer of whether or not they are deserving of sympathy.

I have just redownloaded Instagram and these stories have been posted a lot, with a lot of comments. The people who comment seem to either really love or really hate these women and I wondered what others think, who have no strong feelings towards the individuals.

I've seen a lot of 'I'm a single parent and I'm offended that you say you've got it hard when you have a nanny etc' and wondered if that was fair? Of course it is easier with a nanny but should these women never say something is hard because there are people worse off than them?

And I think most importantly, would anyone be so bothered by income if it was a man who was talking about how difficult being a single/lone parent is?

When I see these z listers moaning about one thing or another I always think to myself ‘who the fuck is she/he?’
I assume they’re only complaining about their ‘hard life’ to gain column inches
Jordan ((not sure what name she’s going by these days), the female from Corrie who’s never had an acting job since she left The Street circa 1845, someone from eastenders who turned to drugs and hasn’t been onscreen in 25 years.
What would tabloids fill their rags with if it wasn’t for these virtually unheard ofs?
Men seem just as desperate…somebody Fury (why not Dave Arthur?), half the Love Island cast…and no doubt Traitor contestants will be trying to jump on the bandwagon of not-quite-fame.
Rant over….sorry if I’ve deviated from the original post!

Moaning keeps them in the news though fuck knows why.

I think when people comment on a lone or single female parent having a nanny they don't understand that it's just a childcare choice. Full time nursery or full time nanny.

You still have all the emotional and financial burden of going it alone.

If a bloke has a nanny people would probably think they don't have a choice because it's like they don't expect men to full time parent but women get judged for making that choice.

I'm always reminded of the Mash report thing "women have told everyone to just fuck off"....because we get judged whatever we do.

Now, I've been the lone parent since DD15 was 1. I now earn six figures but had to have a full time nanny when she was little to be able to pull myself up the ladder by my fingernails, I had to travel for work etc

Didn't get judged? Sometimes yes

Did I GAF? No