Paul Carrick Brunson, a Married At First Sight UK expert, has defended himself following criticism of his views on marriage and children.
The relationship expert has two boys, Liam and Kingston, with his wife Jill, whom he has been married to for 22 years. He recently stirred outrage by saying that he prioritises his relationship over his children.
He shared an Instagram post last month which read: ‘I love my children with all my heart but my marriage has priority over them.’
He added in the caption: ‘Putting your spouse as first priority doesn’t mean you don’t love your children. Instead it means you love them so much that you’re willing to keep your priorities in the most effective order for your union and children.
‘People have pushed back on me for years about this, and while I can see exceptions (for instance, in a blended family), I have not budged from this idea (and neither has my wife).’
Now, he has insisted he ‘said it proudly’ and while he knows some people ‘disagree’, he claimed his stance has the backing of ‘most marriage counsellors and therapists’.
Appearing on Friday’s episode of Lorraine, he said: ‘Don’t think of prioritisation of what happens at the top, it’s the bottom. Your relationship is the foundation upon which everything builds.
‘If you have a strong union, a strong communication, your children have strong communication typically. If you have the ability to solve conflict, then you’re children have a better chance at resolving conflict.
‘To me, your marriage is a foundation. A strong foundation means a stronger chance for your children to be emotionally adjusted and just healthy.’
During their interview with Ranvir Singh, the couple was given a few of situations, including scheduling a date night a month before a ‘last minute’ school play their child wants them to attend.
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‘This is actually something that has come up for us, something very similar,’ Jill admitted. ‘Of course we are going to go to that play and support our child, always.
‘But, we’re not going to neglect our time together either, so we go to that play and then afterward we make sure the kids are in bed and then we set up a modified date night.’
His original words provoked a heated argument in the comments section of his Instagram post, and although some agreed – or recognised where Paul was coming from – others couldn’t accept the concept.
‘I don’t agree, my first duty is to protect my children. They will always come first no matter how old they are,’ one follower wrote, while another added: ‘Hard disagree. My children will always be my first priority, they need me. My husband doesn’t.’
A third person said: ‘Would not agree with this statement- I will always put my children first and me second and so would my husband but we still love each other- 20 years of marriage this year. Everyone has their own ways and opinions and I respect yours ❤️’
‘Disagree! My children will also come first and be my first priority!!!!! My own flesh and blood ❤️,’ someone else added, as a different fan argued: ‘I think it’s very important to have a balance. But priority over my child? Not sure about that!’
Source My Celebrity Life.
