Jenny Mollen Addresses Criticism Surrounding Photos with Her Son

Jenny Mollen is facing criticism for a post featuring her 12-year-old son.

Mollen welcomed her son Sid with ex Jason Biggs in 2014. The couple also has a son, Lazlo, 8. Us Weekly reported in May that Biggs and Mollen had separated after 18 years of marriage.

“They are on good terms and remain focused on raising their two boys,” a representative for the separated couple told Us at the time.

Before news of their split emerged, Mollen reflected on feeling like the “spare” in her marriage to Biggs.

“When I first got together with Jason, I felt like I had everything figured out. Suddenly, I married someone whose career overshadowed mine,” Mollen shared in a May episode of the “What Matters With Liz” podcast. “Everyone was like, ‘Oh my God, Jason Biggs,’ and I felt like I was just the guest. It drove me crazy to be side-lined.”

“To be the spare and not the heir,” Mollen continued. “It felt like, ‘What is going on?’ I was the spare. I was the American Pie spare. I relate to [Prince] Harry. That frustration was always there.”

Scroll down for more details on why Mollen received backlash for her post:

What Did Jenny Mollen Post?

Mollen shared two images on Instagram on May 25, featuring her lying on top of Sid on a bed. In one photo, she had her hands around the back of his head, with their faces not visible.

In another image, Mollen lay on Sid with her hands behind his head, while Sid covered their faces with his hands.

Did Jenny Mollen Remove the Caption?

Mollen has since deleted the caption of her post, now containing only a period, while retaining the two images. Her original caption reportedly stated, “Your eldest son will be the most toxic guy you ever date.”

What Have Users Said About the Post?

Mollen’s post has sparked mixed reactions from users in the comments section.

“I saw the original post with the caption. 😳 Super weird. I have boys the same age. Cuddling is fine, but that caption was creepy AF,” one commenter stated, while another added, “Hugging your kids is great. But calling your child your boyfriend and sharing pictures like this? Not okay. A boyfriend is a romantic partner.”

However, some users came to Mollen’s defense.

“What the heck? She’s not doing anything wrong. That’s her son! We know she’s eccentric. I love her ❤️🙌😂😂,” one user commented, while another said, “Jenny, it’s all good. Hug your kids as much as you can! Before you know it, they’ll be off on their own, and you might need to get a cat 🐈!!”

How Did Jenny Mollen Respond to the Criticism?

Mollen expressed feeling scrutinized amid her separation.

“It’s like since I’m getting separated and no longer protected by marriage, I’ve become a different kind of target for what I post,” Mollen stated in an Instagram Stories message on June 1. “It’s shocking that a photo of me hugging my 12-year-old is being ridiculed.”

In a subsequent post on her Substack, Mollen clarified that the photos were taken “on a Monday night after [Sid] came back from a weekend away.”

She then defended the images and her earlier controversial caption.

“The joke that upset people was: ‘Your eldest son will be the most toxic boyfriend you ever have.’ And he is,” she remarked. “Parenthood demands a commitment level that, in any other situation, would be seen as pathological. I’d never accept this kind of dynamic elsewhere. Yet here I am, jumping through hoops, craving affection and validation from a guy who can’t even drive.”

Mollen added, “When my kids were small, I felt overwhelmed. They needed so much that it felt impossible to catch my breath. I spent the last decade longing for five minutes alone, and now that I have what I wished for, it breaks my heart. Don’t let anyone shame you for cherishing these moments while you can.”