At a Glance
- Christopher French shared an Instagram Story about “pausing to decide if it’s worth your energy” days after wife Ashley Tisdale French published her essay on leaving a “toxic” mom group.
- Matthew Koma, husband of Hilary Duff, mocked the essay with a photoshopped image and fake The Cut headline.
- Ashley, 40, wrote that exclusion from playdates and party planning made her feel “like high school again.”
- Why it matters: The viral discussion spotlights how clique dynamics can invade parenting communities.
The fallout from Ashley Tisdale French’s candid essay about quitting her mom-circle is spilling onto Instagram, drawing reactions from both her husband and fellow celebrity spouse Matthew Koma.
French’s Cryptic Post
On January 7, Christopher French reposted a text image to his Instagram Stories that read:
> “Underrated life skill: Pausing to decide if it’s worth your energy.”
The brief message landed three days after The Cut published Ashley’s first-person piece describing how the group began excluding her from meet-ups and even planned an event at her daughter’s birthday party without telling her.
Koma’s Mocking Meme
A day earlier, Matthew Koma chimed in with satire. He photoshopped himself onto Ashley’s body, wearing sunglasses and sitting beside a houseplant, and added a mock The Cut headline:
> “When You’re The Most Self Obsessed Tone Deaf Person On Earth, Other Moms Tend To Shift Focus To Their Actual Toddlers.”
He captioned the parody:
> “Read my new interview with @TheCut.”
What Ashley Wrote
- Said she initially “felt lucky” to find her “village” of moms.
- Noted invitations stopped arriving and conversations turned cold.
- Texted the group, “This is too high school for me and I don’t want to take part in it anymore.”
- Admitted one mom may have been “bad,” but stressed the overall dynamic had soured.
- Shared that reader feedback proves she’s “far from the only mother” hurt by such groups.
| Children with French | Ages |
|---|---|
| Jupiter | 4 |
| Emerson | 15 mo |
Public Support
Under The Cut‘s Instagram post, Christopher French commented:
> “I’m so proud of you 💘”
Key Takeaways
- Ashley’s essay triggered both supportive and mocking reactions on social media.
- Christopher’s cryptic post hints at the emotional toll without naming names.
- Koma’s joke amplifies the viral debate on parenting-group politics.
As the discussion keeps spreading, Ashley’s story underscores a simple message: motherhood is easier when your circle genuinely likes you.
