4-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) A Singaporean social media influencer has ignited a fierce debate on responsible parenting after her attempt to scale Mount Everest’s base camp with her four-year-old son ended in a medical emergency. The adventure, intended as an educational experience, has drawn both criticism and support from netizens worldwide.
The influencer, known online as @fitmumwannabe, embarked on the challenging trek to Everest Base Camp with her husband and young son as part of what they describe as a “pre-school gap year”. Their ambitious plan involves visiting over 30 countries in a two-year period, eschewing traditional early education in favour of worldly experiences.
However, the family’s Himalayan expedition took a perilous turn on the seventh day of their ascent. The child began experiencing severe vomiting and diarrhoea after consuming a lollipop. As they continued to climb, his condition deteriorated further, with oxygen levels dropping to alarming levels.
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By the ninth day of their trek, with the boy’s health showing no signs of improvement, the family was forced to “raise the white flag”. Attempts to evacuate via helicopter were thwarted by inclement weather, necessitating a 300-metre descent on horseback to reach the nearest medical facility.
The mother, defending their decision to undertake such a challenging journey with a toddler, stated on her Instagram account: “Some say we are crazy to bring a four-year-old up to EBC, but I can’t think of another activity where the whole family struggles together yet finds it age-appropriate for everyone. There’s no better place to demonstrate and learn resilience, kindness, and compassion.”
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However, her justification has done little to quell the outrage of many social media users. Critics have lambasted the parents for what they deem a “poor decision”, pointing out the inherent dangers of high-altitude trekking even for adults. One commenter noted that the situation “could have ended very badly”.
Yet, amidst the backlash, a minority of supporters have praised the family’s adventurous spirit. Some even expressed inspiration to consider similar treks with their own children.
