A mother of two has hit out at critics who disagreed with her decision to send her daughters to a summer camp for seven weeks.
Rachael Potash rushed to her own defense in an interview Peopleafter a series of TikTok posts about the seemingly normal farewell sparked online anger.
When faced with criticism over her decision, which was labelled abusive, she told the publication she was “shocked” by the reactions.
The videos in question show her enjoying time with her children before waving them goodbye, and looking at photos of their adventures at camp.
The girls are 11 and 13 years old and seemed extremely excited about their seven-week stay.
Scroll down for the video:
Rachael Potash came to her defense in an interview with People on Tuesday, after a series of TikTok posts documenting the seemingly normal farewell appeared to anger several online media outlets.
The girls, aged 11 and 13, seemed extremely excited about their seven-week stay. They were seen leaving with Rachael and her partner last month
A disgruntled Rachael, in turn, said: ‘I started telling them how I spent my time with my daughters and what we did before they went on summer vacation.
“It was beautiful that I made their favorite dish for their last dinner and that their stepsister came over when she had less than a week to say goodbye,” she said, referring to one of the farewell videos.
“It was about creating really special moments with my kids, but it turned out to be, ‘You’re a bad parent to send them away for seven weeks,’” the exasperated mother said.
She also said the girls’ father died four years ago and that she was a fan of summer camps, a common concept in the United States.
“He grew up in summer camps,” she said of her late husband.
“I couldn’t believe it, being away from home all summer, but he said, ‘No, you don’t understand. It was the best time of my life.’
Judging by the clips that have become popular online, the girls seem to agree: last month they started their almost two-month stay with great pleasure.
Rachael also seemed to enjoy the occasion, treating them to treats, festivities and a lavish feast before they left their South Florida home.
Faced with comments criticizing her decision as rude, she told the publication how she was “shocked” by the response
She went on to say how the girls’ father passed away four years ago and was also a fan of summer camps, a common concept in the United States.
While the girls are still far away in Maine, the mother described some of the comments she’s received and why they prompted her to talk about it.
“I made a video in response where I was kind of making fun of the negative comments I was getting and how crazy I thought it was. Who should ever tell another parent what to do or not do?” she said at one point in the interview.
“I think some people missed the point of the story,” she continued, remaining calm.
“I’m glad there’s a conversation going on because it’s important to talk about it and open people’s minds about what’s actually healthy for a child.”
She went on to explain the now annual dynamic, describing how this has been the norm for the past five years.
“They’re going there with a bunch of other kids from Florida. We’re all meeting at the airport at 6:30,” she said.
“They have older group leaders who accompany the girls when they fly from Miami to Boston. Then they take a bus from Boston to Maine.
“It’s a really long day for them, but we load them up with goodies and they have a lot of fun. They know they’re going to their summer home. It’s a great bonding experience.”
While the girls were still away in Maine, the mother described some of the comments she had received and why they prompted her to speak out. She advised others not to be so quick to judge and assured them that her family was a happy one.
She also said that other children, whose parents may not be as open to such a concept, would benefit from being in nature, away from the smartphones and tablets that are so ubiquitous in American households today.
“My daughter wrote me a letter the other day. She said, ‘My shower is outside and I feel so at one with nature,’” Rachael recalls.
‘We live in a digital world where many of us literally live our lives online.
“These girls experience what it’s like to live in the moment, bake marshmallows outside and go water skiing, and they make friends for life.”
Finally, the mom influencer expressed her hope that other parents will follow suit, realizing that things that may be outside of their comfort zone aren’t set in stone forever.
“It’s not really about you,” she said Tuesday. “You’ve had your childhood. You’re already an adult. Now it’s their time.
“You know your child best,” she continued, urging others to “ask.” [their children] about the [and] start a conversation,
“It’s okay if you have a child who is very anxious and never wants to leave the house,” she said. “I would never say that you should force a child to do that.
“But for kids who do like it, there’s this saying: They live 10 months of the year for these two months. That’s how camp kids live, ten to two. Give them that chance.”