• I can hardly relate to Kim Kardashian, however we’re each single mothers. 
• Kardashian was criticized for not mentioning her nannies in a current interview about parenting. 
• Alternatively Andy Cohen was relatable regardless of mentioning the nannies he has. 

It is a uncommon event that I determine with a Kardashian. All of my physique components are authentic. I solely have 203 Instagram followers. I am unsure what “contouring” is. However when self-help guru Jay Shetty’s podcast interview with single father or mother Kim Kardashian dropped in late Could, I used to be hopeful. Sadly, my hope was short-lived. Sure, Kim vaguely mentioned single parenting within the interview — “It is simply me to play good cop and dangerous cop” — however on-line retailers dragged her instantly. Absent from her parenting narrative was the rumored one-to-one ratio of nannies to youngsters in her dwelling.

Actuality TV personalities reminiscent of Kim Kardashian entice us with their extravagant existence, however they join and keep our consideration with shows of vulnerability. Acknowledging privilege would not alienate audiences; in truth, it reveals that regardless of affluence, parenting is tough.

I am a single mother who loves actuality TV

As a single mother and scientist who research households, actuality tv is the last word escape from my too-serious life. I revel within the drama of Actual Housewives’ Puppygate or Scary Island storylines. I about misplaced it when Chrishell from “Promoting Sundown” shacked up with G. Flip. I observe each “Indian Matchmaking” character from Aperna to Bobby Seagull.

However my curiosity is just not solely within the drama. The enchantment of those personalities is that they’re without delay aspirational and sympathetic. I can not inform a Louis Vuitton from a Louboutin, however there’s consolation in understanding that on the subject of household points, we’re really fairly related.

The enchantment of actual people as tv characters is that their vulnerability can illuminate the commonality of the human expertise. I am going to hopefully by no means should settle a $100 million low-cal combined drink lawsuit like “RHONY’s” Bethenny Frankel, however I do know what it is wish to be exhausted by the antics of a rage-texting co-parent whereas elevating a younger daughter.

I do not publish my breakfast to TikTok, however Khloe Kardashian’s current admission that she and her daughter are “sickly codependent” brought about me to look at how enmeshment with my daughter would possibly hinder my intimate relationships. Actuality tv characters present outlandish landscapes and storylines alongside uncooked human emotion. Within the 2-D world of flawless social media posts, these unscripted, intimate moments present a reminder that no matter revenue, we will not escape the shadow of household.

All mother and father can relate to some stage

Thus, the web backlash towards Kim Kardashian’s handy elimination of nannies from her parenting narrative calls for the authenticity of the expertise. There is no such thing as a disgrace in saying, “Even with assets, I nonetheless undergo from mother guilt. If I really feel this burdened with nannies, think about what it have to be like for mothers with out assist.” However in making childcare labor invisible, Kim negates any goodwill listeners have for the struggles of all mother and father, whatever the variety of Instagram followers. They present this of their emphatic rejection of her narrative.

Kim’s interview contrasts starkly with one other heavily-publicized podcast interview with Bravo mastermind Andy Cohen. In it, he speaks in regards to the assist he has throughout the day. However he’s additionally very particular in recounting his struggles as the one single homosexual dad on the playground. He describes the loneliness he felt when his second baby was born and the way his missteps as a father or mother usually depart him in tears.

As a single mother nearly since my daughter was born, and who’s the one single father or mother in my daughter’s complete preschool, the truth that Andy Cohen pays nannies dissolves as an alienating issue when he narrates his struggles so particularly. Kim Kardashian expresses vulnerability by saying, “Parenting is tough.” Andy Cohen reveals how it’s exhausting. These of us on the lookout for frequent experiences in our actuality stars desire the second technique of connection.

Single parenting might be exhausting for Kim Kardashian

To make certain, Kim Kardashian may say something about parenting and nonetheless get dragged via the blogs. It appears as if two teams of individuals simply cannot get it proper: Kardashians and mothers. However for these of us who father or mother alone each single day, the experiences of actuality TV personalities who’re additionally single mother and father serve to unify our distance.

I consider that parenting is tough for Kim Kardashian. I additionally consider that having a low ratio of nannies to youngsters supplies some aid from the struggles many single mother and father face. An acknowledgment of this pressure ought to quiet even her hardest parenting critic.

Jill Inderstrodt, PhD, MPH is a maternal well being researcher. She writes about household well being as a Public Voices Fellow with AcademyHealth in partnership with the OpEdProject.