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'Wild': Mum slammed for following medical advice after son's fall

“I've come on TikTok innocently today and seen that I've been publicly been shamed by another mum."

Image: TikTok/ reneebarendregt
Image: TikTok/ reneebarendregt

A woman has been left “teary” after being mum-shamed for following medical advice given to her hurt toddler.

Renèe Barendregt, a mum of three from Adelaide, opened TikTok for a leisurely scroll only to find herself the topic of criticism by another mother.

The unexpected backlash prompted her to defend herself - and every other mum who's been the subject of shaming on social media. 

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"We’re doing our best"

“I'm really upset. I have come on TikTok innocently today and have seen that I have publicly been shamed by someone,” she began.

The criticism in the now-deleted clip  stemmed from a previous video Renèe had shared about her one-year-old son, Ziggy, who had fallen from a trampoline onto concrete. 

The unnamed creator questioned why the mum had turned to TikTok to ask what she should do about the injury - which isn't what happened.

In her own video, the mum explained that she had phoned for medical advice immediately after the incident.

“I said this is what’s happened, this is how he’s acting, do I need to bring him in. Which I stated briefly in the video,” she said.

Despite the advice that a hospital visit wasn’t necessary, Renèe admitted she still felt anxious - and that was the point of her first video.

“I was not saying guys, give me the red or green light to go to the hospital,” she clarified. 

She monitored Ziggy closely, noting that he continued playing as if unaffected by the fall.

“He wasn’t disorientated. Yes, he was sleepy, but he stayed up until 11pm the night before,” she explained.

While much of the response to both her first video and the one about shaming her was supportive, the experience left Renèe feeling unsettled.

@reneebarendregt

Publicly shaming other mothers is not okay. We are ALL doing our best. My TikTok was asking have you seeked medical advice after a fall but went against it and took them anyway. I won’t be writing her name here, but it was another mother that made the video about me. Really fkn sad. Thanks for all the lovers that continue to support myself and my 3 boys ❤️ #morherhood #kidsoftiktok #mumsoftiktok #australia

♬ original sound - Renèe Barendregt

“A lot of people have my back. They [told the creator] have you watched the video? She said she called the hospital. I did all the right things,” she said.

Still, the mum shaming brought her to tears.

“I actually got teary. I did what I thought was best. Yes, I came onto TikTok, but I am on my own. I have been for quite a few years,” she said.

Renèe has built a supportive community on TikTok, connecting with mums from around the world.

“When has shaming other mums become okay? We’re doing our best,” she said.  

Image: TikTok/ reneebarendregt
Image: TikTok/ reneebarendregt

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"Unkindness needs to end"

She also addressed cruel comments about Ziggy’s appearance.

"People were like is there something wrong with his eyes? New people here, he was born with a lazy eye," she further added.

Her comment section was flooded with empathy and encouragement.

“This mum shaming and unkindness needs to end!” One person commented.

“If I went to the hospital every time one of my kids fell and bumped their head while toddlers, I’d have lived in the hospital. You’re doing amazing,” another wrote. 

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“The public shaming is so WILD! Why do people spend energy spreading negativity,” added a third. 

The video criticising Renèe has since been deleted, but she has refused to name the creator. 

“Thank you, didn’t think at nearly 35 and a mother I'd be dealing with this kind of crap,” she said.

For more information on head injuries see raisingchildren.net.au.

Originally published as 'Wild': Mum slammed for following medical advice after son's fall

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/wild-mum-slammed-for-following-medical-advice-after-sons-fall/news-story/2cfbfd0606533047fa8f415cf7373b74