An influencer couple has been facing major backlash online after sharing how they spent their time on a family cruise.
Matt and Abby Howard, who are influencers with thousands of followers online, shared updates on their family cruise they took with their two children — ages one and two. During some of their updates on their seven-day cruise, the couple shared they had some trouble keeping their kids occupied, especially at dinner time.
Abby posted an update that they found a “solution” on her social media
Showcasing a photo holding two baby monitors, Abby wrote that they decided to change their dinner reservations on the cruise to after her kids went to bed. Then, they left their children alone in the cabin with the baby monitors.
To make matters worse, the monitors don’t work on the ship
According to Abby, the baby monitors on the cruise ship don’t work unless you are “10 feet away. ” Instead, they had to FaceTime the baby monitors to keep an eye on them.
Many people online were outraged
On social media, the two parents got burned from all ends. Abby eventually deleted the post, but it made its way to Reddit and other social media sites, allowing people to share their thoughts.
“Those poor kids deserve better. To have parents who spend an entire vacation freaking out because for once they’re responsible for their own children and desperately obsessing about how to get away from them is beyond bad parenting, it’s downright criminal,” wrote GyspySyx.
Some said it was their fault for not booking a “family-friendly” cruise
“So was a fancy dinner their only option…? When booking the cruise did they not look into if it was toddler friendly? Idk what wrong with them they travel so much you’d think they’d know what they doing but I guess they not used to traveling with their siblings, I mean kids,” wrote Glittering_Brick_241.
Others said that it reminded them of another child left alone
People online said the couple’s choice brought back memories of Madeleine McCann, a child from the United Kingdom who was left alone in Portugal when her family was on vacation. While in their apartment and her parents were at dinner, she disappeared completely and was never found again.
After seeing all of the hate, the couple decided to speak out
The couple said that they absolutely did not leave the kids unattended while on the cruise.
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“I can see where my story did lead to misunderstanding. Which is why I ended up deleting it several hours after posting it because I could see that it was causing concern and misunderstanding,” Abby said in the video.
The monitors were due to “blackout tents”
“We always turn their monitor on so we can watch and see what’s happening inside the tent — make sure they’re OK, see if they’ve fallen asleep or if they’ve woken up. We just love to have eyes on them, we’re always concerned about them,” the couple said.
They also added that Abby’s family was helping watch the babies
The couple said while they appreciate everyone’s concern for their children and their wellbeing, they never left their babies alone on the cruise in the room. They added that Abby’s extended family helped them get out of their room.
However, not everyone bought their excuse
Many people online said it sounded like a cheap way to get out of the heat. Thousands of people commented on the post, saying that if someone was watching the kids in the cabin, why would they need the baby monitors and FaceTime at all? Instead, it made them feel as though the couple was hiding things.
Some did see where they were coming from, though
Some parents online said they, too, bring blackout tents on vacation so that the lights and different environment don’t bother their kids when they try to sleep. Young kids can have trouble adjusting to new environments around bedtime.
And many parents say that they always check monitors, even when someone else watches their kids
“Even when my parents are watching my kids for a date night I am ALWAYS checking the monitors on my phone,” one TikTok user wrote.
“I set up a camera the ONE time my daughter stayed for like a hour at my moms. i think some people truly don’t understand some of us as parents experience separation anxiety and can not enjoy things,” another commented.
“I too watch the cameras whenever me and my husband have the chance to go out. An usually its his mom or my mom watching them. Its just a comfort to see they are ok & being taken care of,” shared a third.
Do you believe the couple’s telling the truth or covering up a vicious mistake?
