Sarah Michelle Gellar faced backlash online after she revealed she gifted her daughter, Charlotte, a “ridiculously expensive” Jeep for her 16th birthday.
Fans gathered in the comments section of the “Buffy” star’s Friday Instagram post, in which she wished her teen a happy birthday, to call out her “disappointing” parenting move.
“Happy birthday Charlotte… don’t normalize gifting ridiculously expensive cars to new and young drivers. I think you’ve taken away from your wonderful daughter’s birthday sadly,” one social media user wrote.
“I’m happy for you and Charlotte, but does a 16 year old really need to be gifted a Jeep, of all cars? Fuel guzzlers for one thing. Really puts things in perspective when most 16 year olds have to work to save up to buy a small second-hand crap-box car,” said another.
They continued: “It’s disappointing when the wealthy don’t teach their offspring the value of money and hard work.”
“Really great choice of first car for the planet.. go burn loads of fuel on roads with your off road 4×4!” a third person added.
However, there were also some fans who came to the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” star’s defense.
“We need to normalize not being petty and jealous that someone has what you don’t!” one fan wrote back in response to some of the negative remarks.
Another noted that the new vehicle “really isn’t that serious.”
“OMG! why are so many people in their feels about parents buying their child a car? I turned 16 and got a brand new car but also had to work and have my own gas money even tho I didn’t really have to. We don’t know what the conditions of her getting that jeep are,” they wrote.
“Honestly it’s none of our business. Wish the child a Happy Birthday and move on with your day.”
Someone else simply added: “Can we stop normalizing gifting cars?”
A rep for Gellar did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
In Gellar’s caption, she penned a touching message to her daughter to go with the carousel of photos celebrating her child’s life.
“16 years ago today, you made me a mom. I believe the quote is … a daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend. Charlotte, you are that and so much more,” Gellar started.
“You are strong, you are inspiring, you are kind, you are funny (almost as funny as me) and most importantly you are one of a kind, the best kind. Im so lucky to call you my best friend. And I’m equally excited to finally be your passenger PRINZEss ❤️”
Gellar shares her 16-year-old daughter with her husband of 23 years, Freddie Prinze Jr. The couple are also parents to son Rocky, 12, whose birthday is just one day (and three years) shy of his sister’s.