A mum who lived on just $180 a week said she spent her money on designer clothes and ‘bling’ for her seven-month-old daughter instead of paying rent.
In a re-surfaced clip, which first aired in 2015, Carissa Spark, from Dorset in South West England, admitted that her priorities lay in dressing her daughter, Lavinia, to the nines rather than buying groceries for herself.
The single mum was living off government financial support and studying part-time to be a hairdresser.
In the reality show Blinging Up Baby, Carissa said she spent half of her income on baby designer clothes and survived off of canned soup and instant noodles in order to provide the ‘best’ for her child.
‘I like a lot of bows, a lot of frills, ribbons, anything sparkly – I’m never going to not be this way,’ she said. ‘If I had to starve myself to buy her bling, probably would do it.’
A mum who lived on just $180 a week said she spent her money on designer clothes and ‘bling’ for her seven-month-old daughter instead of paying rent
At the time, Carissa often found herself counting pennies in order to pay her bills and buy herself essentials.
The mum ensured her daughter’s needs were met before thinking of herself – be it her food, clothes, or toys.
‘I always make sure Lavinia’s got the things she needs first. She’s got everything – it’s me that goes without things.’
‘I’ve been living off like tin soup, maybe Cup a Soups, and packet noodles.’
But not everyone shared Carissa’s vision, and she admitted that many call her daughter ‘chavvy’ and ‘tacky’.
‘I don’t really care about them – it’s the look I like. Katie Price is my biggest influence.’
But not everyone shared Carissa’s vision, and she admitted that many call her daughter ‘chavvy’ and ‘tacky’
The single mum ensured her daughter wears the designer items as often as possible to get her money’s worth out of the expensive wardrobe.
‘I’m hoping that when I look back at photos with her, she can see how much effort went in and she can see how loved she was,’ Carissa said.
The mum also revealed that her desire to dress her baby in Dior stemmed from her strained relationship with her own mother.
‘I never was close with my mum, and I knew when I had a baby [I wanted to be so close] with her,’ Carissa said.
‘When I put the things I buy on her, I sort of get emotional over how nice it is. I like to feel that way. For me, it makes everything worth it.’
Carissa was raised by her grandparents after her mum, then 17-years-old, couldn’t manage the responsibility of a baby.
Her grandmother still supports her with Lavinia and financially.
‘I think if we didn’t help her out, she wouldn’t be able to have any food,’ her grandmother said. ‘As a family we do a lot of her, all of us. That’s what you do for your family, you help them out.’
The mum also revealed that her desire to dress her baby in Dior stemmed from her strained relationship with her own mother
Carissa often found herself counting pennies in order to pay her bills and buy herself essentials
Many parents were shocked by the ‘reckless’ way Carissa spent her money.
‘As the mother of three daughters, this is one of the most ridiculous displays of bad parenting I’ve ever seen. Wow.’
‘Imagine how much they could have enriched these kids’ lives and minds if they’d chosen to spend the money on cultural opportunities or tutoring in a language from a young age instead of buying designer bags for a 1-year-old,’ another added.
‘Babies grow really fast so I don’t see the point in splashing out huge amounts on expensive clothes and accessories that are only going to be grown out of in a few months. Such a huge waste of money.’
But some were sympathetic and understood where Carissa was coming from.
‘I feel bad for the single mum because I know exactly what she’s talking about,’ one mum wrote.
She added, ‘I majorly overcompensate for my children’s father who has nothing to do with our children.’
‘Carissa is healing her inner child by being the mum she didn’t have.’
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