MIC's Tiffany Watson admits cruel mum-shamers made her doubt parenting choices

25 October 2023 , 11:00

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MIC's Tiffany Watson admits cruel mum-shamers made her doubt parenting choices

Tiffany Watson has revealed that while mum-shamers shouldn't get to her, she is still affected by their comments.

The former Made In Chelsea star welcomed her firstborn son Jude Maximus McGeehan with her Colchester United husband Cameron McGeehan in June. But while Tiffany, 29, is still surrounded by the excitement of having a young child, people often try to tear her down over her parenting skills.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror after landing her dream role as Head of Accessories Design at Mama Bamboo, the businesswoman said she has "definitely" noticed people taking to the comment sections of her social media posts. But although she says she shouldn't be "careful" about what she shares, she is still only human.

Tiffany Watson has opened up about being mum-shamed by social media users (Dave Benett/Getty Images for PrettyLittleThing)

The star shares four-month-old Jude with Cameron McGeehan (instagram/ @tiffanyc_watson)

"I should probably care less but as a first-time mum, you do get quite affected if someone says 'Oh my God, why are you doing that?'," she said. Tiffany continued: "I remember when I first put him in our baby carrier, I was so excited and I posted a photo and so many people commented like 'You're completely wearing that wrong, it's way too low down, look at his little legs' and it made me feel really sad because I was so excited.

"I was like, 'Well everyone's just really burst my bubble even though it's something small', you do get affected because you think 'Oh, are they a mum-of-four and they've got so much experience and I'm a new mum and I'm doing it all wrong?' It's hard. Everyone's definitely got an opinion on like babies and what you should be doing and what you shouldn't be doing."

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Although Tiffany should be enjoying outings with her son as she opens his eyes to the world, the reality star mum says she often feels self-conscious when out and about. She said: "If he starts to cry or something's not going perfectly, I'm like 'Oh my God, are people looking at me and questioning my parenting or judging me?' It's weird.

"I think your confidence will grow as you get older and more experienced. You wouldn't go over to someone and be like 'You shouldn't be doing that', it's crazy how people can have such opinions when they're not face to face." Tiffany explained that while out and about and breastfeeding, she often feels judged for her decision.

Made in Chelsea star and new mum Tiffany Watson announces her new role as Head of Accessories Design at award-winning eco-disposable nappy and wipe brand Mama Bamboo (PR Handout/ Mama Bamboo)

"That's what your boobs are made for," she said before adding: "It just feels uncomfortable because you do get people having looks at you and I think it makes other people feel uncomfortable but it shouldn't. You definitely do, as a woman [feel judged], I think some girls don't care and will happily get their boob out and not care at all but I do find it awkward."

Tiffany believes that over the years, boobs have been over-sexualised which has created the stigma surrounding breastfeeding. Although, she was encouraged by her friends early on saying she should "not give a sh*t". "I've tried but I will sometimes just opt to take myself somewhere more private if I'm out in public," she explained before adding that it can make her feel as though she's "secluding" herself.

Although the star is a businesswoman and therefore self-employed, she admits that she was keen to get back into work quite quickly after welcoming Jude into the world. Having joined Mama Bamboo, she said: "I was using their nappies and wipes and then they got in touch and said that they were looking for someone to come on board to help them with like their accessories that they were launching and extending the range and said would I be interested in the design and being part of it.

"It was very soon after giving birth, I was like 'This is amazing', I only used it for a little bit but I loved it." Although returning to work so quickly may be daunting for some new mums, Tiffany says the team have been "accommodating" and allowed her to work on a flexible basis.

"I was quite keen to get back to work quite quickly after giving birth, which I think that's because I love doing what I do," she said, before adding that she didn't want to "give that all up". "I think time has changed now and like women are able to do both," she said of women returning to work.

Daniel Bird