Mom Shamed for Selling $50 T-Shirts 5-Year-Old Made So Strangers Can Fund His 'Piggy Bank'

A popular Australian influencer has caused quite a stir recently, with some accusing her of using her kids to make money. Ruby Tuesday Matthews, 29, is a mom of three living in Byron Bay, New South Wales, and she evidently tried to use her status as an influencer to sell tie-dyed shirts she claims her son, Mars, made to help fund his piggy bank.

The idea is all right and she found plenty of supporters, but followers squawked when she attempted to peddle the 5-year-old's handmade goods for $50 apiece. Some even claimed Matthews bought the shirts from a discount store and was trying to pass them off as her own. The controversy caught the attention of many on social media, including @dutchminty, a sort of watchdog for social media influencers. The tattletale account was made private after the controversy sparked, but not before many shared their thoughts on Matthews and her new fashion venture.

Handmade gifts for the win, right?

Sure, there are a lot of artists who use their hands to make beautiful creations. And there are plenty of customers for those artists who would rather support a small business than give money to a giant corporation. Perhaps that is what Matthews attempted to do with Mars' so-called handmade shirts, but some people aren't sure.

Per the Daily Mail, @dutchminty shared screenshots of Matthew's Instagram story, and the reactions were definitely mixed. The shirts don't appear very vibrant, and according to many on Instagram, they could have been more impressive. The account @dutchminty is now private, but many captured comments before it went dark to the public.

To some, $50 seemed a hefty price for a T-shirt crafted by a kid.

Many critics wondered how the mom, who shows a pretty privileged and lavish life on social media, could charge so much for a T-shirt her young son supposedly made. Per the Daily Mail, there were plenty of snarky comments.

"People are literally struggling to pay for groceries, $50 is a jokeeeeee," a comment read.

"I'm sure she has plenty of spare change she could be putting in her sons piggy bank. $50 for a tie dye shirt and they tie dye isn't even that vibrant? Ya jokin," a follower added.

The New York Post reported that some commenters alleged that the shirts were ripped off from Kmart and that Matthews was just trying to make a profit for herself. Others believed it was her responsibility to fill her kids' piggy banks, not her followers'.

Talk to moms about mom stuff. And make money doing it.

Others praised the mother's ingenuity.

The Daily Mail also reported comments on @dutchminty's post that agreed with the young mom.

"Doesn't bother me. She has a platform and in turn, so do her kids. No one's holding a gun to anyone forcing them to spend $50," one person commented. "I think she's using supply and demand to help her child understand value and economics."

Another person wrote, "Who cares though? If you don't want them, don't buy them. I don't get the issue."

Others actually praised the influencer mom.

"I'm all for teaching kids how to make money and save. I believe it needs to be taught from a young age," one person argued. "Makes them appreciate things a lot better. Money doesn't grow on trees."

"If her fans want to pay for something her kid did let them! She's laughing all the way to the bank," someone else chimed in.

Matthews announced Sunday that she is taking a break from social media.

Matthews announced on Instagram that she had experienced mental health struggles recently, including depression, since the birth of her daughter, Holiday, according to the Daily Mail. After the criticism surfaced, she claimed it was too much this time and said she needed to check into a mental health facility to further her care.

"A nervous breakdown isn't what I expected. But we are here. And I'm still going. This will be my last 7 days on instagram then I'm leaving my phone at home and checking myself in for some deep therapy and to learn some new tools because," her post read. "For months I've been proactive with drs , psychologist, psychiatrists, and number of therapists. I have good days and bad ones. I'm feeling angry these are my cards I've been dealt, that I'm so proactive and I can't shake this silly thing. Medications don't work this time round , I'm angry that I've forget the old me."

Followers praised Matthews for taking care of herself.

Whether they believed that $50 for a T-shirt was appropriate or not, followers agreed that a mother's mental health is essential and lauded her for getting the help she needs.

"You've inspired me (a complete stranger on the other side of the planet) and helped me stay strong when I too dealt with postpartum depression. You've got this Momma!! ❤️" one mom commented.

"I resonate so very deeply with these words. The anger and frustration is so real, the negative self talk when you're doing all the things you can do to help yourself and none of it is working is so hard to shake," another reader explained.

Moms wanted Matthews to understand she was worth it. One wrote, "You're such a GOOD Mum to your babes for prioritizing your mental health in this way 🤍 sending so much love."