Expert or Not...

     For the past week or so, I've been seeing this ad on one of the local channels for an event for mum and tots which I believe takes place today.  I barely paid attention to it but I knew it'had been bugging me and when I listened more clearly at one point, I realized why. As they promoted this event and activities planned, one sentence stood out - and get parenting advice from a local celebrity mum.

     Hmm I thought, hang on. What makes her an expert? The fact that she's a celebrity or the fact that she's a mum. Or is she a child psychologist that I didn't know about?  I highly doubt the latter because if memory serves she was a presenter for some variety or documentary shows in the past.  So I ask again, what does she have to publicly call herself an expert to give out parenting advice? It's like Katie Holmes Cruise deciding one day that, "Hey I'm a celebrity, I'm a mum, I should give out parenting advice." Oh joy! Let's all hurry to that event! NOT!  Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Katie Holmes or this celebrity mum but I would think it'll be more prudent to get professional advice from a true professional, like a child psychologist.

     Perhaps I'm making a mountain out of a molehill with this whole discussion. But I think either the local celebrity or the advertising people should get their heads out of the clouds. It is one thing to give advice to friends when one is not qualified but have had some experience, but it is quite another to do so publicly.  I reckon if the tagline was, "Come over and the celebrity mum will share her parenting experience," I would not be having this hissy fit.