Good lord, people, she specifically said she loves her kids to death and doesn’t regret having them. But could envision a second life that was child-free, focusing only on herself. She did not denigrate her kids!

Anonymous wrote:Fact is, something like 14-20% of people regret having children.

If your sister is unsure about children and you feel her fiance pressuring her to have them, you may feel like you should defend her position.

There is nothing wrong with having children.
There is nothing wrong with not having children.
There is a huge problem with feeling forced or pressured to have children if you're not ready.

I'm glad she spoke up. I feel like she really has Emma's back. If/when Emma decides to have children, it's nice to know that it's for the right reasons, not because society or a man told you to.

The statistics arent the point. And speaking up TO EMMA in private would receive no objection from me.

As an adult, it might not impact you today to hear your mom say to everyone in America and beyond “if I could have a do over at the end of my life and do it again, I would not have kids” —and maybe you’d just shrug it off as “well I guess my mom was one of the 14-20% who had regret” then good for you. I applaud your high self esteem and maturity as well as your keen ability to separate the statement as just a statistical fact that your mom happens to be a part of and not feel personally hurt that YOU were the regret. But you would be a rare person indeed.

I am not at all confident that hearing this from your mother as a child would not do significant developmental damage.


Sister could have chosen to zip it for the cameras and shared her private and valid thoughts …privately.

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Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

In private, sure, on a message board, to friends...That's totally fine, but not on tv for your kids to watch. I think smart people are those like some family members in various reality shows who refuse to come and be on, like Bri's dad, Amber's ex...There is no upside to going on and being judged by strangers, or making hurtful comments like this one by accident or through shady editing by producers.

It's fine to talk about on TV. Not everyone wants to be hush hush about their very real feelings about parenthood, and that's fine. If it's not something you'd discuss, well that's your life. You don't get to dictate how everyone else lives theirs.

That’s a selfish perspective. It’s not fine to talk about on TV. She may have the right to her feelings but she needs to understand that broadcasting them out over mass airways might make it back to her children. Imagine if your young child heard that. Sure no one can dictate how you live your life but put your kids feelings first.

I think lying to people about parenthood is a selfish perspective. Saying parenting is hard is not abandoning your children. She sounds like a great mom. You're taking something personally that wasn't meant for you.

NP-You are misrepresenting what she said. Nobody would have any issue with a mom saying parenting is hard or talking about all the aspects of motherhood. It's very different from saying out loud on tv that if you could do it again you'd not have your children.

Not really. The implication of saying "parenthood is really difficult, being childfree is so much simpler and easier" is the same. You just dont like women owning that motherhood isn't always the best choice. Women are allowed to feel that way, and you telling them to STFU is wildly inappropriate.

We’re not telling her to STFU. We’re saying that you don’t say what she said on national tv where her kids could possibly see it.

Exactly this.
But being empowered to say how you feel no matter who it hurts is peak 2026 feminism.

Are you even a woman? Now you're trying to insult feminism? Wtf.

Insulting feminism is not the same as pointing out the “only my feelings matter” version of feminism in 2026.
It’s toxically narcissistic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

Omg again…missing the point entirely.
Her kids are still children. The show is televised.
This wasn’t a confidential chat between adults. And you can say “parenting is hard even for those who KNOW they wanted kids like me! I wouldn’t recommend it at all for anyone who is t 100% sure!” And that’s fine.
You can even say privately to a friend or group of friends “if I had it all to do again, I wouldn’t have kids!”

But you dont ever allow your own children to hear you say those words because it literally puts them in a very personally devastating position of hearing their own mom invalidate their existence.

That you don’t see the difference is shocking.

Fact is, something like 14-20% of people regret having children.

If your sister is unsure about children and you feel her fiance pressuring her to have them, you may feel like you should defend her position.

There is nothing wrong with having children.
There is nothing wrong with not having children.
There is a huge problem with feeling forced or pressured to have children if you're not ready.

I'm glad she spoke up. I feel like she really has Emma's back. If/when Emma decides to have children, it's nice to know that it's for the right reasons, not because society or a man told you to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

In private, sure, on a message board, to friends...That's totally fine, but not on tv for your kids to watch. I think smart people are those like some family members in various reality shows who refuse to come and be on, like Bri's dad, Amber's ex...There is no upside to going on and being judged by strangers, or making hurtful comments like this one by accident or through shady editing by producers.

It's fine to talk about on TV. Not everyone wants to be hush hush about their very real feelings about parenthood, and that's fine. If it's not something you'd discuss, well that's your life. You don't get to dictate how everyone else lives theirs.

That’s a selfish perspective. It’s not fine to talk about on TV. She may have the right to her feelings but she needs to understand that broadcasting them out over mass airways might make it back to her children. Imagine if your young child heard that. Sure no one can dictate how you live your life but put your kids feelings first.

I think lying to people about parenthood is a selfish perspective. Saying parenting is hard is not abandoning your children. She sounds like a great mom. You're taking something personally that wasn't meant for you.

NP-You are misrepresenting what she said. Nobody would have any issue with a mom saying parenting is hard or talking about all the aspects of motherhood. It's very different from saying out loud on tv that if you could do it again you'd not have your children.

+100
It’s cruel and damaging to the kids. Your feelings may be valid, but they do not need to be expressed out loud for all ears. No child will benefit from hearing that their mom’s do-over life of choice would include their not being born.

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Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

In private, sure, on a message board, to friends...That's totally fine, but not on tv for your kids to watch. I think smart people are those like some family members in various reality shows who refuse to come and be on, like Bri's dad, Amber's ex...There is no upside to going on and being judged by strangers, or making hurtful comments like this one by accident or through shady editing by producers.

It's fine to talk about on TV. Not everyone wants to be hush hush about their very real feelings about parenthood, and that's fine. If it's not something you'd discuss, well that's your life. You don't get to dictate how everyone else lives theirs.

That’s a selfish perspective. It’s not fine to talk about on TV. She may have the right to her feelings but she needs to understand that broadcasting them out over mass airways might make it back to her children. Imagine if your young child heard that. Sure no one can dictate how you live your life but put your kids feelings first.

I think lying to people about parenthood is a selfish perspective. Saying parenting is hard is not abandoning your children. She sounds like a great mom. You're taking something personally that wasn't meant for you.

NP-You are misrepresenting what she said. Nobody would have any issue with a mom saying parenting is hard or talking about all the aspects of motherhood. It's very different from saying out loud on tv that if you could do it again you'd not have your children.

Not really. The implication of saying "parenthood is really difficult, being childfree is so much simpler and easier" is the same. You just dont like women owning that motherhood isn't always the best choice. Women are allowed to feel that way, and you telling them to STFU is wildly inappropriate.

We’re not telling her to STFU. We’re saying that you don’t say what she said on national tv where her kids could possibly see it.

Exactly this.
But being empowered to say how you feel no matter who it hurts is peak 2026 feminism.

Are you even a woman? Now you're trying to insult feminism? Wtf.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

In private, sure, on a message board, to friends...That's totally fine, but not on tv for your kids to watch. I think smart people are those like some family members in various reality shows who refuse to come and be on, like Bri's dad, Amber's ex...There is no upside to going on and being judged by strangers, or making hurtful comments like this one by accident or through shady editing by producers.

It's fine to talk about on TV. Not everyone wants to be hush hush about their very real feelings about parenthood, and that's fine. If it's not something you'd discuss, well that's your life. You don't get to dictate how everyone else lives theirs.

That’s a selfish perspective. It’s not fine to talk about on TV. She may have the right to her feelings but she needs to understand that broadcasting them out over mass airways might make it back to her children. Imagine if your young child heard that. Sure no one can dictate how you live your life but put your kids feelings first.

I think lying to people about parenthood is a selfish perspective. Saying parenting is hard is not abandoning your children. She sounds like a great mom. You're taking something personally that wasn't meant for you.

NP-You are misrepresenting what she said. Nobody would have any issue with a mom saying parenting is hard or talking about all the aspects of motherhood. It's very different from saying out loud on tv that if you could do it again you'd not have your children.

Not really. The implication of saying "parenthood is really difficult, being childfree is so much simpler and easier" is the same. You just dont like women owning that motherhood isn't always the best choice. Women are allowed to feel that way, and you telling them to STFU is wildly inappropriate.

We’re not telling her to STFU. We’re saying that you don’t say what she said on national tv where her kids could possibly see it.

You literally are. You're saying she used her 30 seconds of fame to denigrate her children and she shouldn't have done that. A) that's not what happened and B) women can speak on any part of motherhood they like. You arent the parent police, we don't need to get your permission to talk about shit

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

In private, sure, on a message board, to friends...That's totally fine, but not on tv for your kids to watch. I think smart people are those like some family members in various reality shows who refuse to come and be on, like Bri's dad, Amber's ex...There is no upside to going on and being judged by strangers, or making hurtful comments like this one by accident or through shady editing by producers.

It's fine to talk about on TV. Not everyone wants to be hush hush about their very real feelings about parenthood, and that's fine. If it's not something you'd discuss, well that's your life. You don't get to dictate how everyone else lives theirs.

That’s a selfish perspective. It’s not fine to talk about on TV. She may have the right to her feelings but she needs to understand that broadcasting them out over mass airways might make it back to her children. Imagine if your young child heard that. Sure no one can dictate how you live your life but put your kids feelings first.

I think lying to people about parenthood is a selfish perspective. Saying parenting is hard is not abandoning your children. She sounds like a great mom. You're taking something personally that wasn't meant for you.

NP-You are misrepresenting what she said. Nobody would have any issue with a mom saying parenting is hard or talking about all the aspects of motherhood. It's very different from saying out loud on tv that if you could do it again you'd not have your children.

Not really. The implication of saying "parenthood is really difficult, being childfree is so much simpler and easier" is the same. You just dont like women owning that motherhood isn't always the best choice. Women are allowed to feel that way, and you telling them to STFU is wildly inappropriate.

We’re not telling her to STFU. We’re saying that you don’t say what she said on national tv where her kids could possibly see it.

Exactly this.
But being empowered to say how you feel no matter who it hurts is peak 2026 feminism.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

You don’t say it in public presumably because it’s not an acceptable thing to say to strangers who may not grant you grace for taking this position.
But you *shouldnt* say it on television because your kids will hear you say that (if not now then some day when they watch it) and the chance of them internalizing it and hating themselves for being the source of your regret and pain is very high or at the very least feeling hurt by your stated regret is very likely.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

In private, sure, on a message board, to friends...That's totally fine, but not on tv for your kids to watch. I think smart people are those like some family members in various reality shows who refuse to come and be on, like Bri's dad, Amber's ex...There is no upside to going on and being judged by strangers, or making hurtful comments like this one by accident or through shady editing by producers.

It's fine to talk about on TV. Not everyone wants to be hush hush about their very real feelings about parenthood, and that's fine. If it's not something you'd discuss, well that's your life. You don't get to dictate how everyone else lives theirs.

That’s a selfish perspective. It’s not fine to talk about on TV. She may have the right to her feelings but she needs to understand that broadcasting them out over mass airways might make it back to her children. Imagine if your young child heard that. Sure no one can dictate how you live your life but put your kids feelings first.

I think lying to people about parenthood is a selfish perspective. Saying parenting is hard is not abandoning your children. She sounds like a great mom. You're taking something personally that wasn't meant for you.

NP-You are misrepresenting what she said. Nobody would have any issue with a mom saying parenting is hard or talking about all the aspects of motherhood. It's very different from saying out loud on tv that if you could do it again you'd not have your children.

Not really. The implication of saying "parenthood is really difficult, being childfree is so much simpler and easier" is the same. You just dont like women owning that motherhood isn't always the best choice. Women are allowed to feel that way, and you telling them to STFU is wildly inappropriate.

We’re not telling her to STFU. We’re saying that you don’t say what she said on national tv where her kids could possibly see it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

In private, sure, on a message board, to friends...That's totally fine, but not on tv for your kids to watch. I think smart people are those like some family members in various reality shows who refuse to come and be on, like Bri's dad, Amber's ex...There is no upside to going on and being judged by strangers, or making hurtful comments like this one by accident or through shady editing by producers.

It's fine to talk about on TV. Not everyone wants to be hush hush about their very real feelings about parenthood, and that's fine. If it's not something you'd discuss, well that's your life. You don't get to dictate how everyone else lives theirs.

That’s a selfish perspective. It’s not fine to talk about on TV. She may have the right to her feelings but she needs to understand that broadcasting them out over mass airways might make it back to her children. Imagine if your young child heard that. Sure no one can dictate how you live your life but put your kids feelings first.

I think lying to people about parenthood is a selfish perspective. Saying parenting is hard is not abandoning your children. She sounds like a great mom. You're taking something personally that wasn't meant for you.

NP-You are misrepresenting what she said. Nobody would have any issue with a mom saying parenting is hard or talking about all the aspects of motherhood. It's very different from saying out loud on tv that if you could do it again you'd not have your children.

Not really. The implication of saying "parenthood is really difficult, being childfree is so much simpler and easier" is the same. You just dont like women owning that motherhood isn't always the best choice. Women are allowed to feel that way, and you telling them to STFU is wildly inappropriate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

In private, sure, on a message board, to friends...That's totally fine, but not on tv for your kids to watch. I think smart people are those like some family members in various reality shows who refuse to come and be on, like Bri's dad, Amber's ex...There is no upside to going on and being judged by strangers, or making hurtful comments like this one by accident or through shady editing by producers.

It's fine to talk about on TV. Not everyone wants to be hush hush about their very real feelings about parenthood, and that's fine. If it's not something you'd discuss, well that's your life. You don't get to dictate how everyone else lives theirs.

That’s a selfish perspective. It’s not fine to talk about on TV. She may have the right to her feelings but she needs to understand that broadcasting them out over mass airways might make it back to her children. Imagine if your young child heard that. Sure no one can dictate how you live your life but put your kids feelings first.

I think lying to people about parenthood is a selfish perspective. Saying parenting is hard is not abandoning your children. She sounds like a great mom. You're taking something personally that wasn't meant for you.

NP-You are misrepresenting what she said. Nobody would have any issue with a mom saying parenting is hard or talking about all the aspects of motherhood. It's very different from saying out loud on tv that if you could do it again you'd not have your children.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

In private, sure, on a message board, to friends...That's totally fine, but not on tv for your kids to watch. I think smart people are those like some family members in various reality shows who refuse to come and be on, like Bri's dad, Amber's ex...There is no upside to going on and being judged by strangers, or making hurtful comments like this one by accident or through shady editing by producers.

It's fine to talk about on TV. Not everyone wants to be hush hush about their very real feelings about parenthood, and that's fine. If it's not something you'd discuss, well that's your life. You don't get to dictate how everyone else lives theirs.

That’s a selfish perspective. It’s not fine to talk about on TV. She may have the right to her feelings but she needs to understand that broadcasting them out over mass airways might make it back to her children. Imagine if your young child heard that. Sure no one can dictate how you live your life but put your kids feelings first.

I think lying to people about parenthood is a selfish perspective. Saying parenting is hard is not abandoning your children. She sounds like a great mom. You're taking something personally that wasn't meant for you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Emma’s sister is getting too much heat. She was standing up for Emma. Mike was pressuring her throughout the pods (if I were Mike, Emma would be a huge red flag and vice versa). Even though I don’t say it in public, I feel similarly to Emma’s sister. Not every mom enjoys motherhood. Some of us have kids with special needs and cannot catch a break.

It's actually so so common! I've heard many parents say the same thing. Being honest about parenthood shouldn't be so controversial, especially when discussing it with someone on the fence.

In private, sure, on a message board, to friends...That's totally fine, but not on tv for your kids to watch. I think smart people are those like some family members in various reality shows who refuse to come and be on, like Bri's dad, Amber's ex...There is no upside to going on and being judged by strangers, or making hurtful comments like this one by accident or through shady editing by producers.

It's fine to talk about on TV. Not everyone wants to be hush hush about their very real feelings about parenthood, and that's fine. If it's not something you'd discuss, well that's your life. You don't get to dictate how everyone else lives theirs.

That’s a selfish perspective. It’s not fine to talk about on TV. She may have the right to her feelings but she needs to understand that broadcasting them out over mass airways might make it back to her children. Imagine if your young child heard that. Sure no one can dictate how you live your life but put your kids feelings first.