Erin Lichy, a star of the Real Housewives of New York, has faced severe criticism after offering controversial family planning advice on social media. The 38-year-old reality television personality suggested that women should "forget" to take their birth control pill if they desire to have a baby, sparking outrage among followers and online commentators.
Instagram Q&A Sparks Fury
During an Instagram question-and-answer session, Lichy responded to a query about managing differing timelines with a partner regarding children. The user asked for "advice for being on different timelines when having kids with husband." Lichy replied, "This is probs not PC but just 'forget' to take your pill. Oopsie!" She elaborated that if the delay is due to serious issues like work relocation or health concerns, it should be respected, but implied that mere procrastination for "sexy time" could be circumvented. She added, "Humans have been doing it for centuries," referencing historical practices of family planning.
Backlash and Accusations of Coercion
The response prompted immediate backlash from social media users, who condemned it as irresponsible and harmful. One X user expressed shock, writing, "Admitting to this in the year of 2026 is crazy," while another questioned, "Now wtf is this." Critics accused Lichy of endorsing reproductive coercion, with one person stating, "Not the girlies endorsing reproductive coercion on main." Others called the advice "horrific" and argued she should have kept it to herself, highlighting concerns about consent and ethical behavior in relationships.
Lichy's Clarification and Apology
Following the controversy, Lichy provided a statement to the Daily Mail, clarifying her intentions. She explained that her reply was meant in a "light, playful context" specific to the woman's situation, not as general advice. Lichy emphasized, "There is never a perfect time to have a baby, and I was simply acknowledging how complicated that decision can feel for couples." She asserted that she does not condone coercion and apologized for any misunderstanding or offense caused, noting her role as a mother of three boys and her seriousness on the topic.
Family Background and Previous Controversies
Erin Lichy has been married to her husband Abe since 2012, and they share four children: sons Levi (10), Elijah (5), and Jack Hunter (born March 2025), along with daughter Layla (8). Despite her large family, Lichy has publicly stated she is done having children, describing her family as "complete" in a past interview with Us Weekly while promoting her cookbook, She's a Host: An Unbuttoned Cookbook for Elegant Entertaining. She has even joked about urging her husband to get a vasectomy.
This is not the first time Lichy has faced online criticism. In April of last year, she received backlash for a TikTok video where she appeared to let her baby's head "dangle" while making a martini. Concerned users called out her parenting, with comments like "hold his head up" and "priorities girl." Lichy defended herself, claiming the video looked worse than it was and that the baby's head was supported, urging critics to "calm your t**s."
The incident underscores the ongoing debate about celebrity influence on sensitive topics like reproductive health, with many arguing that such advice can perpetuate harmful behaviors and undermine trust in relationships.
