Last summer, former soccer star and current soccer presenter and analyst Imke Courtois (36) shared the happy news that she was going to be the mother of a baby girl, Max. She consciously chose to become a single mother, a brave and beautiful choice that many look up to. However, she also has to deal with hateful reactions, she says in an interview on the summer talk show ‘Café Congé’.
The brand new summer talk show ‘Café Congé’ on Play4 is presented by a different familiar face every week. This week it’s Joris Hessels’ turn. He takes a seat on the cozy sofa with former football star and current football presenter and analyst Imke Courtois for an intimate seat conversation.
Single motherhood
In it, they discuss single motherhood. ‘I chose to become a single mother myself, but soon realized that would also be in the media. I like to keep my private life to myself and my environment, so I didn’t like that’, says Imke. ‘Apart from that, the first reactions were positive. I noticed that there are a lot of other mothers and women who are very supportive. I enjoyed that.’
But people are also quick to judge.I’ve decided that after today I probably won’t talk about single motherhood anymore’, Imke admits. ‘Because my God, there really are some sour people in this world. Still.’
Hateful comments
During her conversation with Joris, Imke Courtois admits that she has to deal with hate reactions.Normally I don’t read negative reactions. But when it comes to my child, I become a kind of lioness. Then that really affects me.’
What are all those hateful comments about? ‘II get help. And I’m very proud of that. I have a super good network, but then you’re apparently not a single mother anymore. “Without that help you are nothing, poor child” or “Poor child, what kind of nest will he grow up in”, I have already read. That hits home. They really should stay away from my child.’ A statement that many mothers will understand. Can we all be a little nicer to each other now?
You can watch ‘Café Congé’ from Monday to Thursday at 8pm on Play4 and via GoPlay.
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