“I Can’t Stay Quiet!” MAFS’ Michael Brunelli Finally Breaks His Silence on Martha’s ‘Disgusting’ Parenting Video Backlash!
Married At First Sight star Michael Brunelli has spoken out after fiancee Martha Kalifatidis faced criticism by some for ‘yelling’ at her toddler in a TikTok video.
The mum of two, 38, divided fans for raising her voice at son Lucius, three, though most jumped to her defence saying it was normal for a busy mum.
Parents Brunelli and Kalifatidis have hit back at critics who took aim at their parenting. TikTok/@marthakalifatidis
Brunelli took to Instagram on Tuesday, addressing the “worst parts of social media” after the couple were judged for their parenting. He shared his intention to focus on what matters instead.
“I think as humans we’re wired to notice the negative first,” the dad wrote in a statement.
“But the last few days I’ve felt a shift in my mindset. Instead of getting lost in the worst parts of social media, I’ve been thinking about the amount of people who have shown up for us, defended us, checked in on us and genuinely cared about our family.”
Brunelli said he appreciated those people in his life, whether they’ve been following the family “for seven years or found us last month”.
“Because really, you’re the people that matter. … and I probably need to remember and acknowledge that more.”
On Saturday, Kalifatidis hit back at critics in a second TikTok video aimed at “all the perfect parents” watching her every move.
“Oh, my God, hi! If it isn’t all the perfect parents on the internet,” she smiled while holding her four-month-old daughter Sunday.
“Look at all these perfect parents just sitting on their phones scrolling away. Scrolling and watching and judging.”
The apparent backlash came after the reality star uploaded a TikTok video of herself trying to make breakfast with her toddler and newborn.
Followers accused the mum-of-two of ‘yelling’ at her toddler while trying to make breakfast. TikTok/@marthakalifatidis
Three-year-old Lucius began making noises towards Sunday when Kalifatidis reacted: “Stop screaming in her face. Get off the stool and get out of the kitchen”.
“Honestly, the simplest tasks … two hours,” she sighed to cameras, visibly frustrated.
“I’m a psycho! I know I need to be more patient, how does anyone get anything done (with kids)!?” she then captioned the video.
Followers were quick to jump to the comments section to share their opinions, with one writing: “This is ridiculous. Kids learn by seeing. She should be mirroring the behaviour she WANTS TO SEE”.
The couple share two kids: Looch, three, and four-month-old Sunny. Instagram/@mbrunelli
“Yelling back and teaching a child to stop yelling hoping ‘he learns?!’😳,” wrote a second.
Others, however, jumped to the mum’s defence.
“Nah I’m on Martha’s side. don’t you all act like you don’t lose some patience here and there with a toddler AND a newborn,” wrote one follower.
Kalifatidis added to her fiancé’s sentiment, captioning a photo with Looch with: “All that matters”. Instagram/@mbrunelli
“What’s silly is women judging a mum with 2 kids under 4 for doing what every other mum is guilty of.. like we all don’t get snippy when overstimulated,” said a second.
“It’s called discipline and teaching respect. She told him off – no screaming involved,” commented another.