The Bachelor's Alex: "It's no secret that I have been widely criticised for how I parent my son."

After months of relentless judgment being passed on her parenting skills, The Bachelor’s Alex Nation has confronted the haters, asking, “What has happened to the act of encouragement and finding happiness in seeing happiness in others?”

The 25-year-old model and reality television star raised the question on Monday, posting a black-and-white image of herself with her only child, 6-year-old son, Elijah.

“‘Good night Mumma, you’re the best mum ever’… This is what Elijah says to me almost every night before he goes to sleep,” Nation’s post began. “Being a parent is tough. Sometimes it’s pure exhaustion and sometimes it’s pure elation. I’m not sure that there is an in-between, I’m personally yet to find it.” 

A photo posted by Alex Nation (@alexandranation) on Jan 15, 2017 at 4:07pm PST

“As mothers/parents, we can often be too hard on ourselves. We put this unrealistic expectation of ourselves to be the ‘perfect parent’. Truthfully, there is no such thing. We are human, we make mistakes. But mistakes should be embraced because that is how we grow. We learn from our mistakes and keep on keepin’ on.” 

Nation, who had Elijah when she was just 18, appeared on and won the 2016 series of The Bachelor and faced criticism almost instantly. For many, the idea of a single mother leaving their child to find love on national television was for some reason, too much to reconcile.

For Richie Strahan though, who eventually “chose” Nation as his girlfriend, it clearly wasn’t an issue and the couple have been happily dating since.

“It’s no secret that I have been widely criticised for how I parent my son. People going as far as saying that I’ve neglected him and even further, saying he’s better off without me,” Nation’s post continued.

Remember when Richie chose Alex? Oh, that was one rollercoaster of a finale. Post continues… 

“It’s interesting isn’t it, how people can feel so entitled to press such an opinion on to others- without even knowing the person personally. What has happened to the act of encouragement and finding happiness in seeing happiness in others? That’s the feel good shit,” she continued.

“I guess my reason for this post is I want to extend my love and encouragement to all the awesome Mums and Dads out there who maybe today might be feeling a little discouraged. You are doing a beautiful job.”

Despite co-raising Elijah with her ex-partner and speaking only fondly of his skills as a father, Nation has been plagued with negative comments from his extended family and consistently labelled as an opt-in parent by various publications. But according to her post, Nation isn’t listening to any of it anymore.

“I’m so self aware and I know I am absolutely not the perfect mum, but I give it my all day in and day out and my son is loved abundantly. So, when Elijah says to me ‘Good night Mumma, you’re the best mum ever’. That’s all the fortitude I need,” she concluded.