Every now and then, a story emerges that ignites a flurry of opinions from self-proclaimed parenting experts. The recent photo series featuring a member of the Italian Parliament, who has been bringing her daughter to work since she was a baby, certainly falls into that category.
You may have heard the term “sanctimommy” before—it refers to those who believe their parenting methods are the gold standard and aren’t shy about sharing that belief. Often, their sanctimonious comments are wrapped in a veil of passive-aggression, making them all the more challenging to identify.
The Architecture and Design Facebook page showcased images of Maria Bianchi, a member of the European Parliament, along with her daughter, Sofia. Accompanying the photos was a statement that read: “Maria Bianchi has been bringing her daughter Sofia to Parliament for two years now. Life finds a way to work. This woman is running PARLIAMENT with a child in her lap and doing a fantastic job, as evidenced by her continued presence there two years later.”
Initially, Bianchi’s decision to bring her child to work was driven by the need to breastfeed. However, she soon noticed that the media was more interested in her breastfeeding moments than the important legislative discussions happening at the time. “We’ve accomplished a lot in Parliament, but the press showed little interest until I brought my baby along,” she remarked. In a separate interview, Bianchi expressed her desire to highlight that many women lack the privilege to bring their children to work and that conversations about this issue need to happen.
Reactions to the Photos
Reactions to the photos have been quite intense. Some comments include:
- “I’m sure the child would prefer to be outside playing. She only has one childhood; this woman is just a self-centered careerist. She should have taken two years off to focus entirely on her daughter.”
- “I wonder how long this young child spends on her mother’s lap? A kid needs ample time to play and discover to develop properly. Sure, they get to be together, but how is that quality time when the mother is focused on work?”
- “Wouldn’t it be better for that little girl to be with a nanny or in daycare rather than sitting bored at her mother’s workplace? It seems selfish to me! Working isn’t a decision made by the child; if you can’t bear to be apart, consider making financial sacrifices to stay home with your child!”
- “Her baby in her lap and a phone in her hand? Clearly, her priorities are misaligned. Her child deserves as much attention as her constituents.”
Navigating the balance between motherhood and career can be particularly challenging for working moms. Bianchi’s choice to bring her baby along was a bold statement about this issue, despite the inevitable backlash faced by mothers in similar situations. Interestingly, a male politician in the U.S. brought his infant to work last year due to a lack of childcare and was widely praised for it. The double standard is evident—moms often find themselves judged no matter what they do. This is why I’ve adopted a simple mantra: mind your own business.
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Summary
A series of photos featuring Italian politician Maria Bianchi with her daughter Sofia at work has sparked significant debate among parenting critics. While Bianchi aims to balance her career and motherhood, many voices have criticized her choices, citing concerns about the child’s well-being. The double standards evident in parenting discussions highlight the challenges mothers face in balancing work and family life.