I let my son play in filthy puddles and other parents constantly judge me but it keeps him happy and helps him develop | The Sun

A MUM has hit back at trolls after being criticised for allowing her toddler son to play in muddy puddles as part of his "development".

Autumn took to Instagram to share a reel of one-year-old Luca splashing and playing with the muddy water, clearly having a brilliant time.

But not everyone approved of her parenting style, as one grandmother made her feelings clear in pointed comments towards Autumn and Luca.

"I couldn’t help but to feel a little bit judged when the grandmother arrived at the park and quickly told her granddaughters not to play in the mud puddle," Autumn wrote in the caption.

"She went on to talk about how nice her car is and how she doesn’t want it ruined with muddy shoes and pants.

"She told this to another child (unrelated to her) and then told him that he was dirty, saying she could 'see everything he ate that day on his face' when he told her his mother allows him to play in the mud."

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Autumn said that once he'd played in the puddle, Lucas was "filthy and soaking wet" but was also "happy and fulfilled".

"I bathe my child every night and he was promptly changed into warm dry clothes when we were done at the park," she continued.

"Allowing him to explore his surroundings is important to us so we will continue to do so, regardless of the reactions of other parents.

"I don’t judge her for wanting to keep her car nice, either!

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"I was just caught off guard by how blunt this caregiver was in judging other children."

Despite the remarks, Autumn insisted she isn't going to change her parenting style anytime soon.

"I will continue to allow him to play in the puddles, scoop in the mud, run in the rain," she concluded.

But she added that she will also "never judge caregivers who parent differently, we all have to do what we feel is best for our children".

Other parents in the comments section were quick to praise Autumn for her stance.

"One of my favourite memories from my childhood is how I was laying on the ground looking at the puddle of water and how it was reflecting a rainbow that day," one person wrote.

"Now, I can imagine how it must have looked to some adults, child laying in the puddles haha you are doing great, kids need to be kids, I would hate it to have a childhood where you can't get messy or play in the nature."

And another added: "I have experienced some comments from the closed ones about a lot of things that I do.

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"I listen to them but keep on continuing what I feel is the best for my daughter.

"You are doing a great job with Luca. That's how kids learn."

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