Influencer sparks debate after leaving her baby for 'girls' weekend'

A fitness influencer has hit back at trolls after she was slammed for leaving her baby for 48 hours for a weekend with friends.

Ashy Bines posted a photo with her baby daughter on Instagram, saying it was moments before she balled her eyes out as she was leaving her for 48 hours.

"Feels like an arm is missing but dad is sending me loads of videos and nailing solo dad life lol! So lucky to have my family," she wrote.

Some followers however slammed the mum for leaving her baby, with one private message telling her the decision was "so wrong".

"How COULD you leave your baby with Steve for that long that's so wrong," the message said.

Ashy hit back on Instagram and said she had copped a lot of judgement for leaving her child.

"Hear me out," she wrote.

"I LOVE my baby but also LOVE my friends. I LOVE my baby but also love travel and variety. I LOVE my baby but also love doing fun things just for me. I LOVE my baby and fully trust and love Steve having this bonding time with the kids and can enjoy myself knowing they are happy and safe."

The fitness influencer added she wouldn't leave her kids with somebody she didn't trust, and didn't understand why it was wrong to leave them with their father.

"If a dad went away for 48 hours, he's never even questioned," she hit back.

"Mummas let's be kind to one another and not project or send hate to another mum who's doing her thing. Might not feel right for you and that's OK, we all do exactly what feels good for us."

RELATED

• Woman sparks furious debate with 'selfish' airport act: 'Infuriating'

• Woman shamed by boyfriend's dad for revealing bikini: 'Disgusting'

• Man sparks fierce debate after 'rude' plane act: 'Blows my mind'

Ashy added the direct message did not upset her, but inspired her to spark a discussion and remind other mums it was OK to have a life.

Addressing the issue again on her Instagram Stories, Ashy said she hoped she could help mums feel less guilty.

"It's OK to wear other hats apart from just being a mum. You're allowed to work, you're allowed to enjoy your time with your friends, your husband, to go workout at the gym," she said.

"I just don't want mums to hold any guilt ... or for other mums to shame them if they do so."

A number of Ashy's followers praised her on Instagram for normalising mums having a life outside their children.

"Why is it that mums have to be with the children all the time? They need time for themselves too. Steve is more than capable of having the kids for two days," one wrote.

"Mums are allowed to have a break! Whoever said that obviously [has] a sad life. I've left my children with their dad for five days once to go spend time with my friend in Queensland for her baby shower. People actually need to grow up and keep their negative comments to themselves," another commented.

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.