Bad Publicity, Cheeky Comebacks and Lessons in Resilience

When the Australian Financial Review shared my story recently, I expected a mix of curiosity and maybe some support. What I didn’t expect was how quickly the comment section would explode, not with questions about co-parenting, but with people projecting their own fears and experiences onto my life.

Running a small business and sharing my journey online has already taught me more about resilience, perspective, and human behaviour than any book or course ever could. This time the spotlight wasn’t on my business, it was on my family.

The Article vs The Headline

The AFR article was meant to highlight how unconventional but practical co-parenting can work, especially in the middle of a cost-of-living crunch. The message I hoped people would see was simple: through respect and negotiation, it’s possible to co-parent amicably and still give kids stability.

But many didn’t make it past the headline. Instead of hearing the story of two parents creating stability for their daughter, some read it as scandal, others as comedy, and many as an opportunity to vent about their own situations. That’s when the comments started rolling in.

Comments ranged from pension conspiracies to gold-digger jokes. A snapshot of how headlines can drown out the message.

Choosing Response Over Reaction

A few years ago, I might have cried from embarrassment or hidden from the negativity. I’ve learnt that comments like these usually have very little to do with me and everything to do with the person writing them.

So instead of reacting with shame or anger, I responded. Sometimes with perspective, sometimes with humour. A little cheek, a little honesty, and always with the intention to steer the conversation back to kindness and understanding.

Humour as a boundary. Clear, kind, and firm. When the tone drops, I keep it light and move on.

Humour became my way of drawing a line. It wasn’t about putting anyone down. It was about holding my boundaries while showing that you don’t have to take the bait.

Lessons in Perspective

When people comment online, they often project their own situation onto your story. If they’re struggling financially, they assume you must be scamming pensions. If they’ve had painful breakups, they imagine constant awkwardness with new partners.

The reality is less dramatic. My ex and I live separate lives, with separate homes, separate bills, and separate relationships. We simply share a property line and a child we both love. That’s it. For our daughter, it means stability. For us, it means independence. For outsiders, it seems to mean endless material for their own storylines.

The only way to shift the conversation is to stay calm, be clear, and respond with respect.

What It Means for Parenting and Business

This experience reminded me that kids, customers, and communities are always watching how we respond. Just like my children learn respect by seeing it modelled, my business has grown because I’ve learnt to handle criticism without losing focus.

• Set boundaries on what you give energy to.
• Use humour to diffuse tension.
• Lead with respect, even when it isn’t returned.

Whether it’s a tough review, a sceptical comment, or a punchy headline, the lesson is the same. We don’t control what others say. We only control how we respond.

Final Thoughts

In the end, the AFR article wasn’t really about money. It was about showing that families can create their own paths, even when they don’t look traditional.

The comments became a snapshot of society: raised eyebrows, quick judgments, and the things most people are too polite to say out loud. Instead of letting them silence me, I used them to connect, to teach, and to show my kids that resilience is built in the messy, public, uncomfortable moments.

So whether it’s co-parenting, business, or life, speak your truth, expect some backlash, and don’t be afraid to answer with wit, grace, and a smile. Resilience is the best comeback of all. With thanks to the AFR for sharing our story, and to everyone who chooses understanding over judgment.

*Screenshots captured from a public AFR Facebook thread. Personal details have been redacted.*

Related reading: Co-Parenting Outside the Box: Respect, Balance and Stability