Spanish Olympic triple jumper Ana Peleteiro has publicly defended her parenting after facing online criticism for taking personal time during a summer vacation following the birth of her second child.
The controversy emerged after Peleteiro shared a series of family holiday photographs on Instagram featuring her partner, Benjamín Compaoré, their children, and extended family members, prompting some social media users to question the care of her newborn son, León.
Peleteiro gave birth to León on July 1, 2026, marking her second child with Compaoré. The couple also has a daughter, Lúa, who is nearly four years old. Alongside images of scenic landscapes and family moments, the athlete posted a message stating that not even in her best dreams had she imagined a summer like this.
While the post received hundreds of supportive messages, it also attracted critical comments regarding her decisions as a new mother. One user questioned who was caring for the two-month-old baby while the parents enjoyed their summer activities, commenting that leaving a two-month-old infant with grandparents on multiple occasions seemed unusual and suggesting that postpartum experiences vary.
Response to online criticism
Peleteiro directly addressed the user's remarks on social media, rejecting the idea that public platforms grant permission to judge strangers. She noted that since becoming a mother, she remained surprised by how easily some women feel entitled to pass judgment on the parenting choices of others.
The athlete stated that no observer had the authority to dictate what she should do with her two-month-old son or draw conclusions about her postpartum recovery based on social media posts. She added that she felt no obligation to explain, confirm, or deny who cares for her child in her absence, describing as sad the belief that a mother's devotion is measured by how much time she spends apart from her child.
Defending balance in motherhood
Continuing her statement, Peleteiro asserted that a mother may leave her children with caregivers to work, spend time with her partner, meet friends, or simply rest, without those choices making her a worse parent. She emphasized that becoming a mother does not require a woman to stop being an individual, partner, friend, or professional.
She urged society to consider what it reveals when individuals continue to evaluate maternal quality by how often a mother leaves her house. Peleteiro concluded that she is far more concerned by people who feel entitled to blame mothers without knowing their circumstances than by mothers who take a few hours for themselves, adding that the parenting of others does not require prosecutors.
Background and career
Peleteiro is an Olympic medalist who has earned national recognition for her achievements in the triple jump. Her recent second motherhood comes after she suffered a painful miscarriage during the second month of pregnancy in the summer of 2025.
