'Can we please go easy on parents?' Nine reporter's plea

OPINION – There's an old saying, 'if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all'.

Seems simple, straight forward and yet, the concept of keeping mean thoughts to yourself seems to be lost on a lot of people commenting on social media.

In the past week, two celebrity headlines caught my attention.

The first - former Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch hits back at troll who accused her of 'underfeeding' her kids. And actor Chris Hemsworth and wife Elsa Pataky's birthday prank backlash.

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While there's no doubt these people are used to criticism whether it's welcomed or not, I'd like to point out what I believe to be the bigger issue with people posting these negative comments.

As a mother of a 15-month-old one of my biggest lessons so far has been, what works for other parents won't always work for me and vice versa.

For example, I personally admire Rachael Finch's commitment to keeping her children's diet as clean as possible. Unfortunately for me, I don't always have time to prepare food from scratch and ensure it's one hundred percent organic. Does that mean I'm in the wrong? No, it doesn't. Does it mean parents who do take Rachel's approach are in the wrong? No, it doesn't.

By attacking these people publicly, it's sending a message to other people that they too are being judged for the way they parent.

Just the other day, I sat at a cafe, coffee in one hand while my daughter nibbled on a smartie cookie.

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Most people smiled, others, not so much. Am I paranoid? Maybe. But it's headlines like this that reinforce that insecurity that I too am being judged for my parenting choices.

What was supposed to be a light-hearted shoutout to his son for his birthday saw Chris Hemsworth cop a lot of s--- online. He and his wife's actions were dubbed 'dangerous' by online commenters.

'Dangerous' as if Chris and his wife had ill intentions. It didn't matter that everyone in the photos smiling. People are so quick to judge, to question their choices as parents… over a cake prank.

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Of course, these are just two more recent examples. This kind of parent shaming has been going on a very, very, long time. Not only online but in social settings, strangers on the street.

Ultimately, it's important to realise that most of the time, parents are doing the best they can.

It's not easy, it doesn't always go as planned. How many of us thought we would never use the iPad, never give in to demands, no sweets, no dummy, only to throw it all out the window to maintain a sliver of sanity?

Everyone's child is different and therefore everyone's approach to parenting will be different.

It may not be how you would do things or what you think is right but it doesn't mean that it's wrong either.

So please be kind and keep cruel comments to yourself.

And to my fellow parents and guardians, you're doing great.