Gemma Atkinson brushed off the backlash with a huge grin in Manchester on Thursday after she was slammed for pinching her one-year-old son as punishment.
The former soap star, 39, recently hit back at mum-shamers who criticised her for nipping her son Thiago ‘to teach him a lesson’.
MailOnline revealed on Tuesday Gemma had told her two million followers she had pinched Thiago in retribution for the tot doing likewise to her daughter Mia, five.
Trying to move on from the controversy, Gemma – who shares Mia and Thiago with her partner Gorka Márquez, 34 – appeared in high spirits as she arrived at Hits Radio station.
Some parents felt her actions were a bad form of punishment, with Jo Studholme, editor of Parenting Expert, admitting it is ‘harmful’.
Gemma Atkinson, 39, brushed off the backlash with a huge grin in Manchester on Thursday after she was slammed for pinching her one-year-old son as punishment
The former soap star recently hit back at mum-shamers who criticised her for nipping her son Thiago ‘to teach him a lesson’
MailOnline revealed on Tuesday Gemma had told her two million followers she had pinched Thiago in retribution for the tot doing likewise to her daughter Mia, five
Jo told MailOnline: ‘Pinching a child back as a form of punishment is not only ineffective but can also be harmful.
‘It teaches children that violence is an acceptable way to resolve conflict.
‘Instead, try using positive discipline techniques such as time-outs, loss of privileges, or talking calmly to the child about their behaviour.’
Gemma defended her actions on Wednesday in an Instagram story after receiving heaps of backlash.
She said: ‘Thiago is going through that phase where he’s nipping and biting.
‘I said he really nipped Mia the other day so I went like this back to him (gesturing pinching), and said ‘Aye, we don’t nip.’
‘I didn’t ‘uuur’ (insinuating pain while pretending to pinch her own arm), as if I would?’
The former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale star, who also featured in a reality show with Gorka and the pair’s two kids on the W Channel, posted her original message on Instagram Stories to highlight the behavioural differences between her children.
Some parents felt her actions were a bad form of punishment, with Jo Studholme, editor of Parenting Expert, admitting it is ‘harmful’
Gemma defended her actions on Wednesday in an Instagram story after receiving heaps of backlash
Gemma shares her two children Thiago and Mia with her partner Gorka (pictured together in 2023)
The actress posted her original message on Instagram Stories to highlight the behavioural differences between her children (Gemma pictured at Hey Duggee CBeebies Show)
Gemma regularly shares her ups and downs of parenting life on social media
The post read: ‘Really noticing the differences in how Mia was to Thiago. It’s fun to watch. Toys are just banged or slid across the floor and the tantrums are new as Mia didn’t have them.
‘He pretend cries and throws himself on the floor. I stand and watch until he realises it’s getting him nowhere and they are slowly getting shorter.’
On the pinching, she adds: ‘He pinches when he gets frustrated. I did it back to him on Wednesday as he did it hard to Mia. He’s not done it since.’
Gemma regularly shares her ups and downs of parenting life on social media.
Last March she revealed Thiago had picked up an ‘ear infection’, while in December last year she hit back at mum-shamers accusing her of ‘spreading misinformation’ for weaning her son when he was just four months-old.
She wrote: ‘That’s why I always say ppl should do their own research.
‘I spoke with a private baby physio who told me that the sitting up with no support is down to a baby’s weight & size, not food related at all, hence why they all do it at different stages.’
Gemma, who also hosts a show on Hits Radio, also responded to criticism by social media users after discussing daughter Mia’s love of CrossFit, when she was just two years-old.
She wrote: ‘I received this message about Mia loving CrossFit and the ‘should be watching kids’ programmes’ baffled me a little.’
‘One of our friends is one of the best CrossFit athletes in the world and whenever she stays with us, Mia has looked at her in awe of her physical strength, her capabilities in regards to gymnastics etc…’
Gemma added: ‘We also go for ice creams and have pizza every weekend and pick’n’mix at the cinema. Fab lollies after tea and pancakes on Sundays.
‘I am personally very happy that Mia loves sports and that she has strong role models and she CHOOSES to watch the games. I am sick of watching it to be honest.’