Kit Roberts
Nikki Garcia has responded to social media backlash after she posted a picture of herself kissing her five-year-old son on the lips.
The WWE star had taken her son Matteo to visit Legoland California, and posted several pictures of their day out together.
In the Instagram post on January 6, she wrote: “Matteo’s most favorite place ever! He never wants to leave omgosh. He’s always so happy there."
She added: "He’s such a little master builder. This kid constantly impresses me."
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But several people took issue with one picture where she and her son had innocently shared a kiss, and made their feelings clear in the comment section.
Since then, Garcia, 42, has hit back in the January 16 episode of the SiriusXM podcast The Nikki & Brie Show, opening up on her feelings about the response.
She said: “There were quite a few reasons why I turned my comments off on that post, and it just goes to show why I don’t put my son on social media.
“It wasn’t even that many comments, but it was enough to bug me where like, ‘I can’t believe she kisses her son on the lips, he’s 5,’ and I’m like, ‘Dude, I can’t believe you’re so bothered by it and annoyed.’ That’s crazy to me.”
The WWE star then went on to speak more specifically about the photo itself.
She said: “In that photo that’s on the cover photo, that was his first time seeing Lego Santa, just the Lego version.
“He got so excited, so the lady was just taking photos. Matteo grabbed me and gave me that big kiss."
She added: "It was the cutest thing because you could tell he was so excited and grateful he was actually going into Legoland and he saw Lego Santa, so it was such a great moment.”
Garcia explained that the reaction is an example of why she tries to avoid putting her children on social media where she can.
“It’s weird when people put opinions on your kids, and then you’re like, ‘See, this is why I don’t post him because I love my kid to death and do you think I want to read this stuff about him?’” she said.
“But the kissing thing was so annoying to me and just bothersome because I’m like, first of all, I love my son so much, and I feel bad if your kid wants to kiss you on the lips and you tell him no.
"I think that’s sad because I don’t know what that would do to them mentally.”