Madonna cops criticism over controversial photo of son Rocco Ritchie with alcohol

MADONNA doesn't have to justify her love for her son Rocco Ritchie, but she should probably explain this controversial moment.

We feel this unimpressed expression sums up Madonna's reaction to the backlash rather well.

MADONNA certainly doesn't have to justify her love for her son Rocco Ritchie, but she should probably do a better job of explaining away this controversial moment.

Otherwise people will get hung up on it.

On Sunday, the 55-year-old pop star posted a photo of her 13-year-old son Rocco Ritchie on Instagram. It showed the teenager standing between two friends, brandishing a bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin.

"The party has just begun! Bring it! 2014," Madonna told her 989000 followers.

News_Module: Madonna's awkward alcohol photo

Of course, a 13-year-old is kinda, sorta, technically too young to be drinking alcohol. Rocco's two friends, incidentally, were holding bottles of Belvedere vodka, which is hardly any better.

In Switzerland, where Madonna was holidaying at the time, the drinking age is 16.

The singer responded to criticism of the Instagram post by denying her son actually drank any alcohol.

MADONNA AND SEAN PENN GET COSY

"No one was drinking we were just having fun! Calm down and get a sense of humour! Don't start the year off with judgment!" she wrote.

Madonna has previously expressed her desire to be a stricter parent.

"I'm probably not as tough as I should be. I think I need to be maybe tougher," she told the Today Show two years ago.

News_Image_File: Madonna poses for a less controversial photo.

This controversy comes less than a week after Madonna celebrated the new year by sharing a photo of a penis-shaped bong she had received for her birthday in August.

"Out with The Old in with the New!! Happy New Year!" read the caption.

We're sure her four children weren't the least bit embarrassed by that.

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