I was mum-shamed for taking my husband and baby on Spanish hen do but would do it all over again

A new mum was slammed for taking her newborn and husband on a hen do in Spain – after she couldn’t face leaving the tot at home.

Elizabeth Kenina, 30, originally planned to go on the hen do solo but when it came to booking the tickets she struggled with the idea of having to leave her little girl, Michelle, eight months.

The bride, Laura, 32, was happy to accommodate the tot along with Elizabeth's husband, Alex, 33, a software engineer. The trio jetted out one day early to Mallorca, Spain, in August 2023, and Alex stayed with Michelle while Elizabeth went out with the girls.

Elizabeth was able to enjoy all the activities - such as wine tasting, dinners and beach clubs - as well as popping back to see and breastfeed Michelle. Despite strangers shaming her for the choice, Elizabeth says she “wouldn’t do it differently”.

Elizabeth, a senior marketing manager, from Manchester, said: “I didn’t feel I could leave her. I was breastfeeding. It wasn’t the case of baby crashing. My husband stayed with the baby. I got to enjoy times with the girls. I wouldn’t do it differently. I wanted to enjoy it as a mum.”

Elizabeth was three months pregnant when the hen do was planned and had thought she’d be able to go on her own.

She said: “When the baby came and it was time to book I wanted my husband and baby with me. For me to go for a long time I’d have to stop breastfeeding. I didn’t want to do that. I told my friend this is the situation and asked ‘do you mind?’ She was really nice. She really wanted me to be there.”

Elizabeth said having Michelle and Alex there didn’t get in the way of the plans or her enjoyment. She got to enjoy vineyards, sightseeing and rooftop bars. Baby Michelle even joined the hen party on the final dinner – as requested by the bride.

Elizabeth said: “There wasn’t a moment that I felt alone. The bride asked me if my husband and Michelle could join for dinner. Everyone was excited to have them. There wasn’t any trouble.”

Elizabeth shared a video online and was slammed for her choice. One commented: “Sounds like hell. Another said: “No you either say look I’m not ready or you go and let your hair down.”

But many also jumped to Elizabeth’s support agreeing they wouldn’t be able to leave their baby either.

Elizabeth said: “It’s ruffled some feathers. It‘s upsetting it’s women putting other women down for no reason. There seems to be no winning situation here. If I didn't attend the hen, I'd be considered a bad friend. Yet going with a baby still seems to result in being labelled as 'bad'.

“I 100 per cent rely on my husband. He’s amazing. I felt less stressed. I knew what was happening. I knew he’d be fantastic if I left him alone but I couldn’t leave her.”

Even now Michelle is 14 months old, Elizabeth struggles to leave her for more than a day.

She said: “There will be that moment when I’m ready to leave her for longer. I’m happy for anyone who can do that. Do what works for you best.”