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'Hurt and concerned': Michelle Gildenhuys claps back at 'haters'

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Michelle Gildenhuys and Emo Adams
Michelle Gildenhuys and Emo Adams

It's not easy being in the public eye, but it can be even tougher as the partner of a sought-after celebrity.

Rachel Kolisi, for example, has been under the spotlight this year, and she found that her active online presence put the spotlight of public scrutiny on not only herself, but also her children.

In response, she resolved to stop sharing pics of her kids online. 

See: Rachel Kolisi won't show her kids faces on social media anymore

More recently Michelle Gildenhuys, wife of local celeb Emo Adams, shared how she receives disturbing messages from online trolls, and how while she brushes the messages away, she is concerned for her children.

In a heartfelt Instagram post the MC and influencer shared that she usually loves engaging with her followers, explaining "I love that I can honestly share my motherhood stories with other moms and we can laugh about it and get through this together. I love that I know I’m not alone!"

But, she says, this time she feels hurt and concerned.

"I’m concerned for my boys" she writes. "One day they will be old enough to have their own social media account and see these things."

View this post on Instagram

I love writing letters to my boys but today this one is for my husband @emo_adams My Dearest Emo I’m the first to admit when I met you all those years ago I would never have imagined that our lives would be so Full. Full of Life,Love ,Adventure ,Joy ,Growth Dreams and like any partnership and marriage It was also filled with moments of uncertainty and insecurities. I met you as a dreamer This extrovert on a stage but a quiet dreamer in your private space. A shy man that has a plan of action for everything One who’s ideas seemed odd to the world but it made perfect sense to you. I met you as one that never allowed the noise of the world to affect your vision. Maak My Famous has been a passion project that has been on your mind from the time I met you. Your dedication to your career has been fueled by the need to succeed because if you succeed it meant you will have the power to create a platform for the generation that needs an opportunity or someone to believe in them! I’ve watched you the past few months. Besides that you are wildly creative and undoubtedly the most passionate and hard working person on this project. You have respected and nurtured each and every talent that stepped onto that stage. Your dreams for them outweigh their own dreams for themselves. I look at you with absolute admiration and pride! You are the perfect balance daddy and dreamer. Tonight when you have made your decision and the winner is chosen, when the theater lights are switched off you walk into your room and find all your kids in your bed. You will take off your suit and put on your PJ’s and fall asleep with your boys in your arms. I Don’t know how you do it I just know I feel honored and blessed to be the woman that witnesses this first hand and that our sons get to witness such passion, love and dedication. They will undoubtedly grow into hard working respectable men because they have the most incredible role model. I love you dearly and I’m so proud of you ♥?

A post shared by Michelle Gildenhuys Adams (@michellegildenhuys) on

Strong enough to handle this?

"I keep asking myself, have I raised them strong enough to handle this? And then I wonder why I have to raise them strong enough to handle this at all!" Michelle asks. 

The mom of four young boys is calling on moms to join her in teaching children the importance of being accepting of all.

"Allow them friends of different races or religions and don’t let them shy away from talking to a child that is differently abled," she urges.

"The future of our country are the kids you and I are raising. It all starts in our homes! If we teach them that it’s ok to be friends or accepting of people with different races or religions we are sending into the future children that will bridge the gap!And that is what our county so desperately needs!"

See the post below:

View this post on Instagram

The past few days I’ve been radio silent! I usually love engaging with those that follow myself and my family. I love hearing from everyone, I love that I can honestly share my motherhood stories with other moms and we can laugh about it and get through this together. I love that I know I’m not alone! On Wednesday Morning I woke to a message that Read... Shame on you Slut! Married that man for lifestyle, Money and sex! What more can we expect from you! This is not the first and I’m pretty sure this won’t be the last! I know my choice to marry a man of color hasn’t always been understood! I will be honest I usually laugh it off! I can ignore it and move on! This time I feel hurt and concerned! I’m concerned for My boys. One day they will be old enough to have their own Social media account and see these things. I keep asking myself, Have I raised them strong enough to handle this? And then I wonder why I have to raise them strong enough to handle this at all! I know I can’t remain silent to this! It will make me a fence sitter in a world where my boys need a role model of someone bridging the Gap. And since I’m the most consistent person in their lives I have to take a step towards actively bridging the gap. So I’m starting with moms, the ones I reach. I ask you to please join me, Teach your children the importance of being accepting of all. Allow them friends of different races or religions and don’t let them shy away from talking to a child that is differently abled. The future of our country are the kids you and I are raising. It all starts in our Homes! If we teach them that it’s ok to be friends or accepting of people with different races or religions we are sending into the future children that will bridge the gap! And that is what our county so desperately needs! And tony Brooke’s ( fake profile) your message got to me this time! It might get to me next time but This slut is praying for you regardless of how hurt she is! #Imraisingchildrenthatwillbridgethegap #itstartsinmyhome

A post shared by Michelle Gildenhuys Adams (@michellegildenhuys) on

Foundation for our children

Her words have resonated with many South African parents, and moms are responding and sharing their stories on her post.

Caryn replied, saying "...we as Mothers should plant a foundation for our children to learn that we are all equal no matter race, gender or religion".

Imaandv commented, saying "This world is really so scary and as a mom we start to feel like we must protect our kids from the world. Where in actual fact the world should be a place that is accepting of everyone regardless of race, or religion or abilities. Agree 100% it starts with us in our homes. Let's teach our kids to embrace everyone. And we will leave an accepting, kind & loving generation in this world when we are no longer here.

How have you approached your online presence since having children?

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