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WITH five kids and over 15 years parenting experience under her belt, some might say Stacey Solomon is a seasoned pro when it comes to raising kids.

But the 34-year-old is the regular subject of social media criticism from online trolls when she shares insights into her parenting style.

Stacey is always quick to defend herself against trolls
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Stacey is always quick to defend herself against trollsCredit: instagram/staceysolomon
The mum-of-five shares her three youngest children with actor Joe Swash
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The mum-of-five shares her three youngest children with actor Joe SwashCredit: Instagram

Stacey was a teenager when she had her eldest son Zachary, now 15, and went on to have Leighton next, who is ten.

She also shares Rex, four, Rose, two, and one-year-old Belle with husband Joe Swash, 42.

The former Loose Women panellist is also step-mum to Joe's 16-year-old son, Harry.

Like many celeb mums, she's often called out for her parenting but 'Stace', presenter of de-cluttering TV show Sort Your Life Out, refuses to take criticism lying down.

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Alongside parenting expert , Fabulous takes a look at how she hits back at the negativity.

Stewing Over Soup

Tempers simmered recently on socials when Stacey was forced to hit back after she was criticised for serving her kids homemade soup for dinner.

After sharing a sweet snap of son Rex picking tomatoes in the family greenhouse she whisked up soup - and garnered criticism.

Stacey made homemade soup using homegrown produce - but it didn't go down well with everyone
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Stacey made homemade soup using homegrown produce - but it didn't go down well with everyoneCredit: Instagram/@staceysolomon
The mum was forced to justify her decision to make soup for her kids
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The mum was forced to justify her decision to make soup for her kidsCredit: Instagram

“So you fed your kid a bowl of tomato soup for dinner? Wow,” one follower wrote.

Hitting back, Stacey called the trolling comment "weird", and responded: “Don’t worry Wilma, I didn’t give my kids just a ladle of soup each and then send them up to bed.

“That was just a starter and then we had dinner after – they were Rex’s tomatoes so we were really excited about them."

Kirsty says: "She made soup, from homegrown produce, what's not to admire?

"It's a great way to teach her kids about where food comes from and kids are much more likely to be good eaters when they have grown a food and helped cook it.

"Soup is also a great meal for young children who are not great with textures or find chewing and swallowing tricky, and teething toddlers will often enjoy cold soup to help soothe their gums.

"You can pack loads of veggies into soups, add in pulses and it's hydrating."

Snack Attack

Keen to bring Halloween to Pickle Cottage, Stacey shared a creative snack with followers - but it was too troublesome to stomach for some.

After sharing tips on how to create a homemade 'skeleton on a stick' using marshmallows, she was forced to address choking hazard concerns - and she had a common sense approach.

Followers were concerned as marshmallows can actually be a choking hazard for little ones
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Followers were concerned as marshmallows can actually be a choking hazard for little onesCredit: Instagram/@staceysolomon

Stacey said: "A few of you have messaged me and said some younger children can't chew big marshmallows properly so they can be dangerous.

"So I just wanted to say, if you don't think your little one can handle big marshmallows then don't give it to them."

She offered alternative suggestions, before adding, innocently: "I've always given mine big marshmallows which is probably really wrong but I didn't know they were a risk or hazard."

Kirsty says: "Marshmallows can swell and expand if they get stuck in your child's throat, which make it hard to remove if your child chokes.

"Young children and babies under the age of five therefore shouldn't eat them."

Cold Shoulder

No doubt Stacey was stunned when she was accused of not keeping her son Rex warm.

The baffled star started getting concerned messages from her followers after they noticed Rex, eight months at the time, sleeping at home without a blanket.

Stacey explained while it was cold outside, Rex was warm and cosy in the house
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Stacey explained while it was cold outside, Rex was warm and cosy in the houseCredit: Instagram
Rex was clearly unharmed by his nap without a blanket
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Rex was clearly unharmed by his nap without a blanketCredit: Instagram

Mocking the backlash, she posted a video saying: "I've received quite a number of concerned messages along the lines of 'Where's your child's blanket? It's freezing outside.'

“Susan, Susan, Susan. He's not sleeping the garden, it's warm in here and he doesn't need a blanket."

Kirsty says: "Being a mum of five, I think Stacey knows what she's doing.

"As she hit back, Rex wasn't outdoors, he was inside, where having a blanket would have probably meant he was too warm."

'Alternative' Family Set-up

Stacey has opened up in the past about having people comment on "alternative family set ups" and being a blended family with children from former partners.

She said previously: "I used to really beat myself up about not being able to offer them a 'normal', 'perfect' family all under one roof.

Stacey has two children from previous relationships, three with husband Joe Swash, and a stepson, creating a loving, blended family
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Stacey has two children from previous relationships, three with husband Joe Swash, and a stepson, creating a loving, blended familyCredit: Stacey Solomon instagram

"Until I realised how normal, and perfect our family is for us. Seeing the way they are together reminds me that it’s all okay.  

"Families come in all shapes and sizes and what’s important is that the love is there no matter where it comes from.

"We are not a “broken family” in any way shape or form we are an extended family. And everyone loves an extension."

Kirsty says: "Families come in all shapes and sizes, as Stacey pointed out.

"As long as there is love, that's what really matters.

";I think Stacey puts her kids needs first and in this instance, was showing a positive way to co-parent."

Car Boot Kids

The star came under fire after sharing a video of her morning school-run routine which saw her older boys emerging from the boot of the car.

She said: "Oh my gosh, a few people have messaged me saying, 'Why are your children in the boot of your car?'

Stacey shared a video outlining her morning routine, and it showed the older boys emerging from the boot of the car
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Stacey shared a video outlining her morning routine, and it showed the older boys emerging from the boot of the carCredit: Instagram/@staceysolomon

"Come on. They're obviously sitting in the boot... in seats. I don't just chuck them in there freestyle, hope for the best and then kick them out when we get to their school.

"I just really wanted to come on and clear that up because there are six of us. Where else are the seats going to be? It's two in the front, three in the back and another two in the boot."

Kirsty says: "If the kids are in the correct seats for their stage and safe on their journey to school, this isn't an issue.

"Lots of cars have seats in the boot and lots of parents with multiple children use them."  

Favourite Child

Stacey sparked more controversy when she revealed she had a favourite child - in jest.

The star was seen on Stacey Solomon's Crafty Christmas cutting out a picture of Zachary, who she previously said "changed my whole life".

Stacey joked she had a favourite child, her eldest son Zach, left
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Stacey joked she had a favourite child, her eldest son Zach, leftCredit: Instagram/@staceysolomon

She said: "Ah Zach, my favourite child.

"Just kidding - but he is. I'm just joking again - everyone's got one, don't pretend you don't."

Kirsty says: "It's not great for parents to have a favourite child, but you would be surprised by how many parents do.

"Stacey was joking here though, something which lots of parents also do!";

Night Tales

Stacey was also judged when she let her kids sleep on her bed in their clothes, not pyjamas.

After sharing a candid photo of her snoozing brood one follower commented: "You let them go to bed at 10pm, fully clothed, in your bed?

Stacey shared this photo of the kids napping on her bed in their clothes
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Stacey shared this photo of the kids napping on her bed in their clothesCredit: Instagram

"Not sure how healthy this can be for them and for you and Joe to sleep among it all."

However, Stacey was quick to fire back.

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Unapologetic, she cited an Eleanor Roosevelt quote which read: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

It seems well-loved Stacey - who has racked up almost six million followers on social media who hang on her every word - has no plans to keep schtum.

Stacey refuses to let negative comments grind her down
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Stacey refuses to let negative comments grind her downCredit: Instagram
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