Joanna Gaines, beloved Fixer Upper star and Magnolia Network co-founder, is known for her hands-on approach to both design and motherhood. 

However, her latest Instagram post has sparked mixed reactions from fans, with some praising her parenting style and others voicing concern over safety.

Over the weekend, Joanna shared a candid moment from her family home, 

where she was busy cooking while her youngest son, Crew, observed from an unusual vantage point—the kitchen countertop. 

In the photo, the 45-year-old mom-of-five had her back to the camera, stirring a pot on the stove, while Crew, 6, stood on the counter, peering down at the meal in progress.

Fans React to Joanna Gaines’ Parenting Moment

While the image seemed like a sweet mother-son moment to many, some of Joanna’s followers quickly pointed out a potential safety hazard. 

Crew, who was wearing socks, stood on a polished marble countertop near what appeared to be a pot of boiling water. Fans flooded the comments with their concerns, with some calling the situation “dangerous” and urging caution.

“This makes me so nervous! Socks on marble and so close to a hot stove,” one person wrote. Another added, “I love how involved Crew is, but please be careful! That pot looks really hot, and he could slip.”

Others, however, came to Joanna’s defense, arguing that parents should be free to make their own choices in their own homes. Some fans admired how she included her son in the cooking process, fostering an early love for food and family traditions.

“Let moms parent the way they want! She’s making memories with her kid, and he looks so engaged,” one supporter commented. Another chimed in, “Crew is clearly loved and involved in family life. Every parent takes some risks—it’s part of learning.”

Joanna Embraces the Chaos of Motherhood

Despite the divided opinions, one thing is certain—Joanna treasures every moment with her children, especially as they grow up and gain independence. Crew, her youngest, is the only child still far from adulthood, while her older children—Drake, 20, Ella, 18, Duke, 16, and Emmie, 15—are reaching major milestones of their own.

In a recent interview with People, Joanna opened up about how quickly her children are maturing. With three of them already driving, she admitted that keeping tabs on them isn’t always easy. “I stalk them on the app Life360,” she joked, referring to the popular tracking app. “It tells you how fast they’re going, and I like having that peace of mind.”

While watching her kids become independent is bittersweet, Joanna finds joy in seeing how their sibling relationships have evolved. “My favorite thing is seeing them hanging out in a restaurant together as friends,” she shared. “Because when they were younger, I was always monitoring their fights. Now, they’re dear friends, which is so cool.”

Cherishing Every Moment Before the Nest Empties

As a mother of five, Joanna is acutely aware of how fleeting childhood is. With her older kids inching closer to leaving for college, she has made a conscious effort to be more present.

“Knowing that [the older kids] will be gone in the next few years, I’ve made a conscious decision to create micro-moments,” she explained. “To feel in the now with our family, just be really more intentional with our time together.”

For Joanna, that means embracing the chaos, the messes, and yes, even the moments that might make some parents nervous. Whether it’s letting Crew stand on the counter to observe dinner prep or watching her teenagers navigate their first years behind the wheel, she is savoring every second.

Parenting in the Spotlight

Joanna and her husband, Chip Gaines, have long been admired for their approach to family life, often sharing glimpses of their parenting journey on social media. However, as with any public figure, they are no strangers to scrutiny.

While some fans continue to voice concerns over moments like Crew’s countertop stance, others applaud the Gaines’ ability to balance parenting with their busy careers. With their Magnolia brand thriving and their family growing, Joanna seems to be taking everything in stride—focusing on the present and cherishing every little moment before her kids grow up and leave the nest.

No matter what side of the debate fans fall on, one thing is clear—Joanna Gaines is a devoted mom who is making the most of every stage of motherhood, one countertop cooking session at a time.

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