Katherine Ryan has hit back at critics over her “unconventional” parenting – saying she responds to her children’s needs.
The 38-year-old comedian recently came under fire for revealing she was potty training her baby son Fred at eight months old.
Hitting back at the “haters”, the mum-of-two said she “didn’t care” about the backlash, particularly on forums like Mumsnet.
She said her intention was never to “shame” other parents, but simply show them a different perspective.
“I feel like you don’t have to go by the book when it comes to parenting,” she told OK! magazine.
“Whatever works for your family is great and I want people to know that most of the world potty trains their children from birth.”
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The Duchess star said it doesn’t mean other parents have to follow suit, but admits she is “lucky” to have the luxury of being with youngest child Fred most of the day.
She added she is “happy” if some parents want to give potty training a go earlier, as using less nappies is better for the planet and the climate.
Katherine revealed Fred, who she shares with childhood sweetheart and husband Bobby Koostra, has also been coming on tour with her – something she used to do with 12-year-old daughter Violet when she was a baby.
“The way that I parent is unconventional. I respond to my children’s needs immediately.
“I tour with them. I sleep with Fred – not Violet, obviously, she’s too grown up.... I think it’s good to offer people an alternative because I’m all about choice and variety.”
Husband Bobby, who Katherine married in a civil partnership in 2019, also joins the family on tour.
If Katherine’s gigs are in Newcastle, Manchester and Blackpool, she says they usually find a hotel in the middle to stay at with the baby such as Leeds or Harrogate so “he’s not being moved around too much”.
Daughter Violet joins the family on tour when she can, but as she’s almost a teenager she is more likely to be found hanging out with friends these days.
Violet is Katherine’s daughter from a previous relationship and she raised her as a single mum after moving to London from Canada 12 years ago.
Baby Fred came along after Katherine rekindled her romance with teenage boyfriend Bobby while back in Canada filming Who Do You Think You Are?
She was in her mum’s hometown when Bobby reached out on social media and the rest is history.
Sadly before baby Fred arrived, Katherine revealed she and Bobby suffered two miscarriages.
The couple welcomed Fred at the end of lockdown, something Katherine says she was glad of rather than him being born at the beginning of the pandemic.
“A lot of my friends welcomed babies at the beginning and those babies didn’t know anyone but their parents for about a year.
“I feel like that would have been so much more difficult being isolated with the baby.
“I’m the opposite. Fred isn’t isolated – he’s going to all the towns and cities and gets to see lots of train conductors and shopkeepers and people in the streets. He’s just overloaded with smiles and people.”
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