Katherine Ryan has revealed that she doesn’t take internet trolls who call her a mother to heart and is delighted her articles are stirring debate.
The 39-year-old and her husband Bobby Koostra had their first child, Fenna Grace, in December, and she already has Violet, 13, and Frederick, one year old.
She’s been sharing her parenting experiences on social media since then, including a wild story about getting locked out with her infant inside and images of her gorgeous family, one of which included a glass of wine.
The tweet prompted criticism, prompting the comic to respond to one user, writing, ‘My tiny children are clever enough to carefully explain to you why it’s alright.’
She’s now dismissed the trolls totally, claiming that her posts are a fantastic discussion point.
‘I don’t mind mum-shaming, I feel like anytime people really jump on an issue is because they’re passionate about it, and we’re all very passionate about our children and how we raise them,’ Katherine said to Metro.co.uk at the National Comedy Awards, where she won outstanding female comedy entertainment performance.
She continued: ‘I had a glass of wine while breastfeeding which scientifically they say you can do, and I was happy to open up that conversation really, I don’t mind being in the eye of the storm and people hating on me because I know I’m right.
‘I don’t mind, my kids are happy, and I thought it was nice that we could have a conversation, because then maybe, there would be a mum watching that conversation at home who says, “Oh I can have one glass of wine, maybe I’ll keep breastfeeding for another six months or another year and I can have my life back and relax”.’
According to the NHS website, occasional drink is ‘unlikely’ to harm a baby, especially if you wait at least two hours after having a drink before feeding. If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it’s best to spread your drinking evenly over three or more days.
Katherine also praised Joe Lycett and his work to encourage social change via humour, for which he received the comedy game changer award.
‘It’s very difficult to achieve it in such a meaningful, nuanced way like he has,’ Katherine said, of Joe using comedy for social change.
‘Comedians tell the truth, and politicians tell lies, so if people just remember that and holding comedians to higher standards than politicians for what they say, the world could be a much better place.
‘Comedians are joking a lot of the time, and when we’re being sincere we’re usually being very kind and generous.’
