Kelly Clarkson is a hard-working musician and has been since the day she won season one of American Idol.
Clarkson, a mother of two, recently filed for divorce from her partner of 7 years, Brandon Blackstock, and has been looking after their children River, 6, and Remington, 4.
As Clarkson, 38, is now filling in for Simon Cowell on America's Got Talent (because Cowell broke his back in an electric bike accident), she is back to work.
But some random person on the internet disliked that.
In a now deleted comment, a Twitter user wrote:
"Now Kelly is taking Simon's place ... no wonder her marriage didn't work … surprise she has time for her kids … not the good old country girl we fell in love with … it's all about Kelly being on tv … and no one else … no tears for her … but for her kids."
Clarkson responded pretty quickly.
"Wow. Shaming a woman who has a great work ethic, is a great mom, and who steps up and fills in when a friends [sic] asks for a favor because that's actually what 'good old country girls' do.... this can't be who you are deep down. I have more faith in your heart. Aim higher please."
Fans immediately came to Clarkson's post to lift her up, even as she chose to lift the poster up.
The narrative that a woman belongs at home with the children all the time is not only outdated, it's nearly impossible.
According to Motherly:
"A 30-year-old woman who makes $55,000 each year could expect to lose $539,795 by staying at home with a child for five years—due to the combination of lost wages, lost wage growth and lost retirement assets."
And due to the rising costs of rent, groceries and living expenses, as well as the stagnation of wages, it's much harder to get by on a single income.
Or no income.
Since Clarkson filed for divorce in June and the couple are estranged, if Clarkson decided to quit working, there is no partner to pay all her bills.
Kelly's response was poised and dignified and chose to end on a positive note.
While it's easy to be mean to someone over the internet, it is possible to make the opposite choice.
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