'Why Would You Do That': Jessica Simpson, 44, Slammed for 'Uncomfortable' Pose with Her 5-Year-Old Child

Jessica Simpson enjoyed a quality weekend with her daughters. However, a snapshot from their outing sparked intense online debate.

Jessica Simpson is beaming with pride as a mom of three! Over the weekend, she delighted her fans with a heartwarming glimpse into her family life. The 44-year-old star took to social media to share a snapshot of herself enjoying quality time with her kids.

In the adorable photo, Simpson is seen cheering from the sidelines at her son Ace's basketball game. She was joined by her daughters—12-year-old Maxwell and 5-year-old Birdie. The image captures a joyful moment with Simpson striking a playful pose. She strikes her tongue out while holding Birdie, and flashes a big smile.

Her caption read, "Cheerin' for Ace with his sisters from the sidelines 🏀🏀🏀," adding a playful touch to the heartwarming scene. The sweet snapshot captured the attention of fans and critics alike.

Many rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts. One fan couldn't help but gush, "They are so beautiful Jessica…just like their mom."

However, not everyone was impressed. Some questioned Simpson's choice of pose, with one person asking, "Why would you do that kind of pose to your child? Maybe time to grow up?[sic]."

Another critic simply found the photo "uncomfortable," while a few others labeled it as a "weird pose towards your child." On the flip side, many came to Simpson's defense, praising the fun spirit of the picture. "Who doesn't have silly pics w their kids? Love this[sic]," one supporter enthused.

Another chimed in, "She is having fun with her children," and aimed at the critics with, "Get a life and give her a break." There was also a comment on Simpson's appearance. One noted, "She looks like orange between two very natural children."

Jessica Simpson, who has balanced roles as an actress, singer, and fashion designer, finds her most significant role is being a mom. Despite the challenges, she treasures every moment of motherhood.

In a past interview, Simpson shared how her youngest child, Birdie, who joined the family in March 2019, completed their family. At the time, she described Birdie as "very sweet," enjoys cuddles, and "highly alert" when awake. With a touch of humor, Simpson noted that Birdie wasn't shy about making her needs known.

The singer also mentioned that she and her husband, Eric Johnson, were "definitely more relaxed" with their third child, Birdie. This is especially after the whirlwind experience of having their first two kids just over a year apart. To them, what is important is making enough effort to ensure they are present parents.

Simpson, committed to leading by example, openly shares her past struggles with her children. She does so in hopes of guiding them away from similar challenges. In a 2020 interview, she emphasized her belief in being transparent with her children, hoping they can learn from her mistakes.

The "Open Book" author expressed that while there are aspects of her book her children aren't ready to hear yet, she plans to share her full story with them in time. Simpson illustrated this approach with a poignant example involving her daughter Maxwell.

During a book signing, a woman shared that her daughters had experienced similar trauma to what Simpson had faced as a child.

When Maxwell inquired about the conversation, Simpson took the opportunity to explain. She revealed that hurtful experiences were part of her past and that she wrote her book to help protect others.

This conversation seemed to resonate with Maxwell, who later prayed for protection and love for all children. Additionally, Simpson has been open with her children about her decision to quit alcohol.

She explained that while drinking is acceptable for some adults, it's a personal choice she made for herself. Her struggle with alcohol addiction became a catalyst for change after an incident in October 2017, when she felt she failed to be present for her children during an important event.

At the time, Simpson candidly admitted to Hoda Kotb that she didn't show up for her children as she had hoped. The realization encouraged her journey toward sobriety.

In a 2021 Instagram post, Simpson shared a poignant reflection on her path to sobriety. She looked back at November 1, 2017, as a moment of profound self-discovery, realizing she needed to let go of alcohol to regain her self-respect and clarity.

"I knew in this very moment I would allow myself to take back my light, show victory over my internal battle of self-respect, and brave this world with piercing clarity," she wrote.

Simpson acknowledged that drinking had kept her trapped in a cycle of exhaustion and frustration. As a result, she was determined to face her challenges head-on, using her pain as a source of strength and aiming to move forward without regret.

Simpson was amazed at how quickly four years had passed since she embraced sobriety, viewing it as a hopeful milestone. In her post, she touched on the stigma attached to alcoholism, noting that the real work was in addressing her own internal struggles, including failure and self-sabotage.

In her journey, she discovered the power of self-love and respect, facing her fears head-on and reclaiming her personal strength with unwavering honesty and bravery. Today, she feels liberated and true to herself.