In defence of Britney Spears

Oops, she did it again! Not being a great fan of Britney Spears, it was with a certain sneer of amusement that I greeted yet another nugget of information about her.

But wait, this was a hugely pathetic attempt to malign a new mother. She did the unforgivable. This was an unfit mother committing acts of borderline child abuse. What heinous crime did she orchestrate? The woman tripped and almost fell with her baby.

Yeah, that's right. None of us perfect mothers have ever done anything as remotely irresponsible. Imagine losing your balance in public. What was she thinking? Mind you, she almost fell.

To her credit and no doubt years of flexible dancing skills, she was fortunately able to regain her balance and saved her bodyguards the embarrassment of dealing with a prostrate diva and child.

We have dealt patiently with an out of control celebrity media obsessed with the colour of Britney's hair.

We have turned a well rounded shoulder on a wicked media hounding her by plastering pictures of her post-natal swollen form.

We have even ignored lurid reports of her driving around with her baby in a belted car seat, up front.

Too precious

But someone has to stand up and say "Enough!" when it comes to her unintentionally tripping while carrying a baby.

Who do these people think they are? How many of them have carried their babies everywhere and can honestly say they never tripped up even once?

For once, why is it unappreciated that a star like Britney, who could easily hire a crew of nannies to cart her baby around, chooses to carry her infant herself. This is no uncaring or unfit mother. This mother obviously finds her charge too precious to be left with caregivers. I, for one, am proud of her. You go, girl.

As for the image driven society of celebrity-dom, there is nothing more scandalous than a flabby sex kitten like Spears.

The initial months following pregnancy are excruciatingly difficult on all fronts, and backsides, without needing the additional solicitous burden of having images of your expanding girth and other areas splashed nationwide and worldwide.

For all the photographers who think they clicked the celebrity scoop of the year, "Hey buddy, it's okay for you. You didn't swell to planetary proportions while conscientiously eating for two, or wade through months of morning sickness, or suffer labour pains, or see the stars in all their infinite heavens during childbirth, or bear an intensely embarrassing stitching up session. After all that, you try looking like a million dollars, while we take your picture. C'mon guys, give the girl a break. So she's plumped out a few pounds. It happens."

Calming effect

Anyone who has dealt with a grumpy baby all night long for weeks in a row will appreciate the calming effect a ride in the car can exert on said grumpiness. Said grumpiness returns with explosive vocal expression when the concerned infant is banished to the back seat or any position where infant cannot view mother.

Rather than nip down to the supermarket for some much needed baby food with a mini siren roaring in her ears for the whole trip, she chose instead to place the baby in front protected by a safety belt and may have reached over occasionally for a reassuring touch.

Although not perfect, you have to be there. I have. Sometimes we mothers take a few chances like stir the porridge with one hand while balancing baby on the opposite hip rather than risk another five minute howl for being put down. Life is full of tough decisions. So go ahead and hit me baby, one more time.