A mother of two has faced backlash after revealing that she packs her toddler a meal to eat out at a restaurant. Karlie Smith, a 21-year-old mother from Ohio, went viral on TikTok this week when she shared how she gets her two-year-old son to eat at a restaurant. “Call me cheap, call me whatever, but if we’re going out to a restaurant, I’m packing my kid a meal,” she began the TikTok, which has since been viewed more than 55k times. Smith, who goes by @unbreakablemomma on the app, shared with her followers that her family gets together for dinner on Friday nights, but this time was different because they were going to a restaurant. “My son is not getting food out,” she said, before explaining why she prefers to pack her son a meal ahead of time. “For one, you want me to pay $6.99 for chicken tenders and fries that my son is going to throw half of it on the floor, you’re crazy. Also, whatever I pack is probably gonna be healthier than what the restaurant has anyways.” The mom then showed the meal she had packed for her toddler, which included a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cut-up banana, mild cheddar cheese cubes, and a chocolate Lara bar stored in a plastic container. “Also, when we get to a restaurant, my child is not waiting for anyone to take his order – he wants to eat now,” she said. “I can just hand him this and let him go to town. Also, my child is not opinionated. He does not care what he eats; he just wants to eat.” However, Smith added that if her son wants restaurant food, she’ll order it. “Also, I usually get him chocolate milk because that’s his little takeout treat,” she said. “And after he finishes his food, he’s usually eating off my plate.” While Karlie Smith’s parenting hack may work for her family, many people in the comments section were outraged that she would deprive her son of restaurant food. Some TikTok users went so far as to claim it was a form of “abuse” to pack her toddler a pre-made meal. “My brother-in-law’s step-father used to do this to him as abuse,” read the top comment under Smith’s video. In response, the mother of two wrote back: “No one said I’d do this forever, I even said if he wanted something off the menu I would give it to him and share my meal, but he’s happy.” @unbreakablemomma ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey Others chimed in, “Stop throwing the word abuse around,” and, “At that age they don’t know the difference between restaurant food or a home-cooked meal. It’s far from abuse.” Some people also claimed that eating out at a restaurant should be a special occasion for everyone, including their young ones. “I just bring a snack for the wait but I think going out to eat is special for everyone, not just the adults,” said one TikToker. “In my house everyone eats out or no one eats out! My parents had the same rules!” another wrote. When one parent shared that they tried pre-packing their daughter’s meal once but they felt “so much mom guilt” for “leaving her out,” Smith replied: “I get it! Sometimes I take my son out for special mommy and me meals!” Despite the negative comments, many people still praised Smith’s parenting tip and told her to block out the haters. “This is actually genius. My son is so picky and I always end up paying for something he doesn’t eat,” said one TikToker. “Love this! My kid is autistic and doesn’t want to wait for the order to come,” another person said. “Go momma!!” “I thought everyone did this!!” said someone else. “Literally common sense to bring toddlers snacks while eating out!!? It’s like a parent hack.” However, it was Karlie Smith who had the last laugh when she poked fun at some of the backlash in a follow-up video. “What people think I do because I said I pack a meal for my two-year-old at restaurants,” she wrote over a separate TikTok video, which saw Smith act out outlandish scenarios, such as feeding her child a can of green beans and a raw onion. @unbreakablemomma Replying to @Kayla2022 the american girl doll is a paid actress ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey “You clap back at those haters, girlfriend,” said one fan. The Independent has contacted Karlie Smith for comment. Read More College student says didn’t know she was pregnant until baby was crowning due to ‘cryptic pregnancy’ A TikTok model made viral videos of her grandmother’s choice to die. Here’s why Mother speaks out after video about putting fake tan on baby goes viral

People are losing their minds over Adidas' recent campaign that appears to show a man sporting a bathing suit. This week, the sports brand launched its Pride 2023 collection, which features a model who appears to be male – but whose gender has not been specified – wearing their "Pride Swimsuit" retailed at $70 (£50). Adidas said the campaign is "a celebration of self-expression, imagination and the unwavering belief that love unites." The swimwear, designed by South African designer Rich Mnisi, was soon shared on Twitter, where it racked up 6.8 million views at the time of writing. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Many more divisive opinions followed. Former NCAA swimmer and women’s rights activist Riley Gaines chimed in: "Women’s swimsuits aren’t accessorised with a bulge." "I don’t understand why companies are voluntarily doing this to themselves. They could have at least said the suit is ‘unisex,’ but they didn’t because it’s about erasing women. Ever wondered why we hardly see this go the other way?" Meanwhile, others urged critics to "calm down", with one claiming bathing suits have been "a style of men's beach wear since the early 20th century." "It's just clothing," they added. Another said, "It's not that serious." "Who. The. Hell. Cares. Don’t want to see it, don’t look, it’s really simple," a third penned. One fan of the swimsuit wrote: "Who cares about the models, I love the look of the swimsuit." In a press release earlier this week, Adidas said the collection "is inspired by a love letter Mnisi wrote to his younger self," and acts as "a rallying cry for active allyship to empower and champion the LGBTQIA+ community." Indy100 reached out to Adidas for comment. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Kids absorb money lessons whether you intend for them to do so or not

When it comes to uncovering the Most Wanted items for fall, there's a particularly iconic image that comes to mind: Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally wearing twin fisherman sweaters circa 1989. Knitwear embodies all that's good about autumn: foliage tones, in-between temps, and stylish yet warm 'fits. But which cozy fall sweaters are actually worth investing in?

When we're not scavenging for loveseats or scouting out cushy office chairs over at the massive online home goods hub Wayfair, we're strolling through its virtual bedding aisle. Especially when the retailer's infamous 48-hour sale event Way Day has duvet cover sets, cooling pillows, mattress toppers, and more bedding essentials up to 70% off.

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Working from home has become our natural habitat, so it’s even more important your day-to-day desk space serves its purpose. With warmer weather on the horizon, it could be time to give your home office a refresh for brighter days ahead. Here’s how to get a little more organised and up your WFH game… 1. Sarah JK Designs Book Journal, Summer Blooms, £14.95 Whether it’s meeting bullet points or words of wisdom, this A5 softback journal is perfect for jotting down notes and thoughts of the day. 2. Furniture Village Madrid Desk, £399 (was £539), Holden Swivel Office Chair in Brown, £169 (was £229) This Scandi-style desk with tapered legs will slot into any scheme, and features a central drawer to keep techy stuff out of sight when the day is done. Team with a smart swivel chair for maximum comfort. 3. Zuiver Cute Desk Collection Clock in Green, £19 (was £29), Cuckooland A trendy sage green clock will slick up your desk accessories – style it with mood-boosting succulents and plants. 4. Set of Three Odonata Box Files – Red Madder, £65, OKA When you want to be clever, these brilliant binders will fuel your filing power. 5. William Blake Framed Wall Art, £59.50, (A3), top right, Oliver Bonas A feature wall of framed art makes a statement and can channel your creative best. Think William Blake’s poem ‘The Tyger’ in a wooden frame. 6. Cambridge Print Small Letter Trays: Selvedge Madder, £25, top; Charleston Meander, £25, bottom, Cambridge Imprint Time to push the envelope – these jazzy letter trays are where it’s at. 7. Evelyn Oak Effect Folding Desk, £49, Stanis Dining Chair, Velvet in Black, £89, Smart Industrial Calendar Block, £20, Dunelm When you want the option to power up or close down, this fashionable folding desk can be stored away when not in use – and the velvet chair can serve as an extra dining seat. 8. Shards Design – Large Magnetic Notice Board in Ocean, £58, Beyond The Fridge Designed to inspire and organise your world, this magnetic mood board can be styled to suit your surroundings. 9. Furniture Choice Milton Oak 120cm Dining Table in Oak, £179.99 This solid table is designed for modern living and will fit into any officescape with its classic design. 10. Martha Brook Desk Accessories: Pastel Scalloped Pen Pot, Light Lilac, £20.95, Two Tone Pastel Pen Pot, £20.95, Pastel Grooved Coaster Or Pen Holder, £19.95 Funky and fun, these pastel pen pots and holders will make light of a heavy workload. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 5 sunglasses trends that will be everywhere this summer 11 of the most eye-popping outfits in Eurovision history, from ABBA to Australia Can I go to work if my child has chickenpox?

For many teens, roaming shopping malls, hanging out at amusement parks, and watching a movie at a local theater with their peers have been long considered the rites of passage to adulthood

Max Verstappen was livid with his Red Bull pit wall on Friday - after the end of one of his final qualifying laps was impacted by team-mate Sergio Perez. The 2023 world champion was entering the final turn at the Circuit of the Americas in his first flying run in Q3, but lost control of his Red Bull slightly with Perez ahead of him. The dirty air of Perez’s car seemingly had an impact, meaning he was only third-fastest at the time behind Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. “Well done, well f****** done there!” shouted Verstappen over his team radio. “What the f*** was that in the last corner!” Verstappen, ultimately, qualified only sixth on the grid after exceeding track limits in his final run, demoting him down the order. Leclerc took pole for Sunday’s grand prix, with Lando Norris in second and Lewis Hamilton in third. More to follow.. Read More Daniel Ricciardo’s back from injury. Now he must show F1 he still belongs ‘Let’s not get too soft’: Lewis Hamilton insists F1 must remain extreme F1 United States GP LIVE: Qualifying updates and results from Austin

NEW YORK (AP) — Christian Siriano marked 15 years in business Friday with Sia performing on his runway and a nostalgic, ballet-inspired fantasy on his models during New York Fashion Week.

Following the new can be relentlessly depressing, so much that some people use that as an excuse for avoiding it