Some called it DummyGate, some called it a storm in a teacup - but Harper Beckham using a dummy aged 4 has certainly caused a hoo-har in the press this week.
The Daily Mail ran a story with parenting experts criticising the little girl’s use of a dummy at four years old; in response, parents and other experts threw their own dummies into the air, defending the little one’s right to a soothing dummy, and highlighting how quick the media is to judge other’s parenting decisions.
What’s right for the little one is up to her and her parents; David and Victoria Beckham certainly have a healthy, happy brood to suggest they know what’s best for their own children.
And now, David has stepped in to slam any critics of Harper’s dummy.
He wrote on his Instagram page, with a photo of the article on the Daily Mail: “Why do people feel they have the right to criticize a parent about their own children without having any facts ?? Everybody who has children knows that when they aren't feeling well or have a fever you do what comforts them best and most of the time it's a pacifier so those who criticize think twice about what you say about other people's children because actually you have no right to criticize me as a parent ...”
We posted on the M&B Facebook page about so-called DummyGate, and the response was overwhelmingly in support of David and Victoria’s right as parents to choose what is best for Harper. Here are some of our fans’ comments:
Danielle Cove: “Most of these 'experts' havent even had children of their own! Just because it says so in a book does not make it right!? Each to their own! All children have a comforter of some description, be it a teddy, a blankie, playing with their hair, or a dummy..... EVERY child is different!”
Liz Barrs: “Every parent knows their own child best......need I say more?”
Laura Plumtree Clark: “I'm sure the beckhams know what they are doing they have had enough practice...just look at their gorgeous kids.”
If Harper is happy, then so are we!
Photo: REX