Edwina Bartholomew: Bites back at sexist claims she abandoned her kids

Edwina Bartholomew reveals how she tackled “sexist” claims head on after online critics took aim at a major choice she made.

I went away last week for the first time since having two kids. It was actually the first time I’d been away since having even the one child. It was a last-minute work trip to the UK for obvious reasons.

The rest of my work colleagues left straight away but I had an extra day to get my two little friends in order. I filled the fridge with food, set up a roster of mates and babysitters to help, changed all the sheets, threw an all-black wardrobe into a bag and walked out the door without snacks, nappies, dangly pram thingos and spare books.

Sunrise's Edwina Bartholomew has responded to online trolls attacking her for being a working mum. Source: Supplied

Professionally, it was an absolute highlight to be in the UK for the Queen’s funeral. Personally, the trip was also fulfilling. I was covering one of the biggest stories of my life and sleeping a solid 4-5 hours a night without interruption. I was filling my cup, as the self-helpers say.

Then the social media comments started, “Who is taking care of your kids?”, “Isn’t your baby too young to leave behind?” and other personal questions about breastfeeding and pumping. The answer to the first question was they were with their Dad. Funnily enough, he lives in our house too and also cares for our kids. Actually, he runs a tighter ship than I do at home.

The scene at Edwina Bartholomew‘s house before she went overseas. Picture: Instagram

In reply to the sexist speculation, I posted a photo to Instagram of my crazy, noisy, messy two-year-old and baby in their element taken before I left to go overseas.

The response was overwhelming. Plenty of working mums are clearly in the same boat as me with chaotic households and husbands/partners/friends/grandmothers/nannies/neighbours/anyone with a pulse helping to make life run relatively smoothly.

The whole experience was liberating. I ripped the Band-Aid off, left for a week and everyone survived. I’m away again this week and next. I’ve also now booked in a girls lunch and just a random night away for me.

If you see me out and about or see photos of said activities online, you should know that although my kids aren’t with me, they are in very good hands, just not mine.

Originally published as Edwina Bartholomew: Bites back at sexist claims she abandoned her kids