What year is it? Is it… 2019? Is it… not only legal but positively normal for women to organise their family lives as they see fit? It is? Oh good. Someone ought to tell the internet, because it sounds like a bunch of trolls have been taking aim at Stacey Solomon over her home life.
A mother of three, Stacey has sons Zachary and Leighton from past relationships as well as new arrival with current partner Joe Swash; posting this week about her eldest children setting off to spend time with their fathers, she revealed on instagram that ‘Recently I’ve experienced people having a lot to say about alternative family set ups’ and decided to set the record straight. ‘I used to really beat myself up about not being able to offer them a 'normal', 'perfect' family all under one roof’, Solomon explained, ‘until I realised how normal, and perfect our family is for us’. Refusing to cave to outside judgement (how dare Stacey have three beloved, well cared for children?), she urged others to reject similar negativity: ‘No matter what […] unhelpful things people may say or think, ignore it because they’re wrong. Don't ever let it get you down.’
Stacey’s post about the topic has garnered all the support it deserves, liked more than 135,000 times and counting. Followers chimed in with messages of agreement and to second Solomon’s sentiments: @trulythisisme wrote ‘Hear hear! A family comes in many guises and quality time spent is very important’, while @churchilljane noted that ‘Variety is a good thing in life especially for children, gives them different perspectives, teaches them all sorts of new things, makes them more sociable, gives you a break making you appreciate them even more, it’s all good don’t worry 😘’.
Many appreciated Stacey shining a light on the advantages of blended families, and showed support by sharing their own experiences – @katherine.gubby posted ‘Love this! My husband and I have 4 boys between us! Some aren't related by blood but they are all still brothers and would do anything for each other. We truly are blessed to have our little extended blended family ♥️’.
As Stacey wrote, ‘Families come in all shapes and sizes and what’s important is that the love is there no matter where it comes from. We are not a 'broken family' in any way shape or form we are an extended family. And everyone loves an extension.’ Amen to that.
READ MORE: Stacey's Cutest Family Snaps
Stacey Solomon's cutest snaps with her two sons (slider)
1 of 14Stacey with her two sons at Disneyland
Stacey took Leighton and Zachary to Disneyland this summer.
2 of 14The trio on a teacup
The three musketeers had a snap taken on the teacup ride in the park.
3 of 14Meeting Mickey Mouse
The even met the legendary Mickey Mouse on their trip!
4 of 14In the bath
Stacey received some backlash for taking baths with her sons, but she refused to change her parenting methods just to make some trolls happy.
5 of 14Holiday in Cyprus
The family enjoyed a holiday in Cyprus earlier this year.
6 of 14Snuggled on the sofa
The Loose Woman recently reached out for advice, wondering at what age most parents are letting their kids have mobile phones.
7 of 14Family time
Joe got in on the action for this big family cuddle.
8 of 14Matching pyjamas
How cute! We wish it was this easy to get kids to wear matching pyjamas...
9 of 14Ben 10 fans
Stacey uploaded this adorable picture of her two lads dressed up as their favourite TV character - Ben 10.
10 of 14Sunny Southend
Stacey's fans were overjoyed that she had taken her children to visit Southend beach.
11 of 14Lazy Sundays
Stacey uploaded this super sweet snap of herself and Leighton enjoying a lazy Sunday lie-in.
12 of 14Birthday cake pops
Stacey and Leighton enjoyed some cute cake pops for his fifth birthday in May 2017.
13 of 14Yoga time!
They sure know how to have fun! Stacey, Leighton and Zachary enjoyed some relaxing yoga.
14 of 14First day back at school
Even celebs get all mushy when they see their little'uns going off to school.