Saira Khan has apologised if she offended any viewers with her remark about stay at home mums on Loose Women.
The panel hosted a debate on ‘new mum-guilt’ during Friday’s episode, sparked by claims The Duchess of Cambridge will have a lengthy maternity leave in order to focus on newborn son Louis.
It led the panel – Saira, Andrea McLean, Nadia Sawalha and Kaye Adams – to discuss their own experiences in that area.
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Saira said: “When I had Zac, I’d just gone through an IVF process and I was so thankful for having a baby. I took eight months off. It was at the sacrifice of not earning money and we suffered financially as a result, but I didn’t care.
“After eight months I felt, for my own mental health, that I wanted to go back to work. I wasn’t one of those women who just went to coffee shops and spent all day lazing around. I’m a grafter.”
Nadia interjected to say: “I don’t know many stay at home mums who do that!”
Saira then clarified her remark, adding: “No, no. In the early days, when you have little babies. I’m not saying now.”
However, not all viewers were impressed…
@loosewomen Did Saira Khan really just insinuate that us stay at home mums “laze around in coffee shops all day” tut tut shame on you Saira! Thought the loose women were supposed to stand by other women 😡
— Asthma (@mcloughlin_jen) May 4, 2018
Sit around drinking coffee?! @loosewomen @IamSairaKhan You’ve just isolated your entire audience. You have no idea.
— Helen Gore (@HelenGoreX) May 4, 2018
@loosewomen So Mums at home laze around all day and drink coffee??? I work part-time and I have more relaxation time and hot coffee on my work days than any other. Your panel members need a reality check!
— ✨Karen✨ (@KarenAKASchnivs) May 4, 2018
@loosewomen woah Saira that was a brave comment. I’m a stay at home Mum, who helps in school, volunteers for a children’s charity and runs a busy house. More than one way to be fulfilled!
— Michelle Bardsley (@MichEBard) May 4, 2018
Saira has now taken to Instagram to further clarify what she meant, and say sorry if anybody was offended.
She posted a statement under the headline: “When people are upset by your comments – put your hand up and say sorry – I apologise.”
It read: “Just wanted to say for any mums out there who were in any way offended by my comments on Loose Women. I just meant to say that I needed to go back to work for my mental health.
“The remark about ‘coffee shops’ was sloppy and I can see how it could cause offence for stay at home mums who work bloody hard.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiXtVkNBbBA/?hl=en&taken-by=iamsairakhan
“Sorry if people took it the wrong way and personally, I wholeheartedly support all women looking after children whether they work or stay at home.
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“As long as you are happy and doing what you enjoy that’s all that counts.”
Have you ever experienced ‘mum guilt? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.