Frankie Bridge, singer and TV personality, who recently addressed double standards in parenting, pictured at a promotional event.
Credit : Shutterstock, Fred Duval
TV personality and singer Frankie Bridge, best known for her time in The Saturdays, has hit back at online critics who labelled her the ‘worst wife and mother’ for taking a short holiday.
The 36-year-old, who shares two sons with husband and former footballer Wayne Bridge, posted a candid statement on Instagram addressing negative comments about her parenting choices. Frankie explained that her family had encouraged her to take a break due to ongoing health issues, but some social media users questioned her decision to travel with fellow singer Fleur East. She responded by pointing out that such criticism is not unique to her, but reflects a broader issue of unfair standards imposed on women—especially when it comes to parenting.
Double standards exposed: Frankie Bridge’s take on public scrutiny
Frankie revealed that she was once ‘naive’ to the different expectations placed on men and women. Having grown up in the spotlight, she initially felt she had avoided serious workplace harassment or prejudice. However, she noted that subtle inequalities were always there—especially when comparing the freedoms of a boy band with those of a girl band. Now, she says she sees the stark contrast in how people react to her husband doing most of the childcare while she works.
According to Frankie, it’s ‘no secret’ that women receive constant, unsolicited advice from the moment they become pregnant. She added that she can cope with comments about her looks or even her mental health, but finds parenting criticism much harder to swallow.
Modern motherhood: Balancing family life, mental health & reality
In her statement, Frankie highlighted the importance of looking after her mental health—particularly after dealing with various illnesses that affected her wellbeing. She explained that her husband and mother urged her to go on holiday to recharge, and she made sure it caused ‘minimal damage’ to her sons’ schedules. Despite carefully planning her trip, she was still met with judgement online. Frankie pointed out that many of these attacks stem from old-fashioned ideas about a mother’s role, adding that society often criticises women regardless of the choices they make. She wrapped up her post by acknowledging that she’s still learning to say ‘no’ and stand by her decisions, emphasising that it’s not her job to keep everyone happy.
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