Kim Kardashian has been the subject of the internet's ire this week after claiming she "cries herself to sleep" due to the stress of being a single mother.
The mum-of-four, 42, said that parenting is "really f***ing hard" during an appearance on Monday's episode of the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, in which she also stated that raising four children has been "the most challenging thing" she's experienced.
"There are nights I cry myself to sleep," she said. "Like, holy shit, this f**king tornado in my house. Like, what just happened?
"You know, with all the moods and the personalities, and sometimes they're fighting, and you know, there's no one there. Like, it's [just] me to play good police officer and bad cop."
Kardashian shares North, nine; Saint, seven; Chicago, five; and Psalm, four with her ex-husband, controversial rapper, record producer and fashion designer Kanye West.
But her candid comments on single parenthood haven't struck a chord with everyone, prompting fierce backlash from fellow single parents who pointed out that the reality TV royal - who is believed to have a net worth of over US$1 billion - will receive a lot more help and support than the average mother.
While many praised Kardashian's candidness and applauded her for being transparent about the hardships of parenting, others criticised the SKIMS founder for not acknowledging the help of her nannies, assistants, and large family, which spans her mother Kris and four sisters, Kourtney, Khloé, Kendall and Kylie - three of whom are also mothers.
"She has nannies and a lot of support in comparison to the average woman, and yet she still complains," one commentator pointed out online.
"She needs to stop trying to act like she's middle class," another declared, with a third adding: "She talks as if she doesn't have a full staff of people helping her."
"I HATE the way they never acknowledge their help, like they don't have nannies, maids, personal chefs, personal trainers on speed dial. Get REAL Kim," another chimed in.
"I don't doubt she works hard [and I] appreciate her grind - but she is not doing everything by herself," a fifth noted.
But fans of the shapewear mogul praised her honesty and shared their own experiences as single mothers, with many rushing to her defence.
"As a mother of four myself, and a single mom at that, she is speaking from legit experience! She may be extremely successful, and [have] nannies, [but] what she speaks about with four kids and one mama….is SPOT ON! No one understands that if you don't have multiple kids," one said.
"Being a single mom is hard. I cannot imagine also being in the public eye, constantly being judged and criticised for every aspect of life," another added, with a third agreeing: "I can't imagine being a single mom of four with millions watching and ready to criticise every move! Made me respect her so much more."
During her appearance on the popular podcast, Kardashian also shared what a typical morning can look like for her juggling four children, noting that it's "the best chaos".
"My mornings, you have no idea what is going on. It's like I always have to do one of my daughter's hair, and it has to be perfect and it has to be a certain way. And then this one needs me to put his shoes on and they all need you. It's like full crazy madness, cooking, running around. Like, it's wild. That's why I need my workout in the morning, just to like, prepare for the two hours of craziness," she explained.
Opening up to Shetty, a British podcaster and life coach, Kardashian mused: "I'd say parenting is the thing that has taught me the most about myself. It has been the most challenging thing.
"There's nothing that can prepare you. Anyone, any person that says, 'Oh, we're waiting to have 'X' amount of money in the bank', or 'Oh, we're waiting to have a home before we have kids'... you are never prepared.
"It teaches you so much more about yourself than I think anyone, any parent, could have ever anticipated."
Kardashian's marriage to West came to an end in February 2021, with their divorce finalised in November 2022.
