Today star Dylan Dreyer’s husband accidentally ignites a FIRESTORM of debate after sharing an image of their three-year-old son crying because he was denied dessert for failing to eat his asparagus
Brian Fichera, the husband of presenter Dylan Dreyer, inadvertently sparked furious online controversy this week when he posted a photo of their toddler son Ollie, who looked teary-eyed after being denied dessert for refusing to eat his vegetables to eat.
In the photo, three-year-old Ollie is seen incredibly dejected, while Brian, 36, reveals in the caption that he had just received the devastating news that his “dessert privileges” depended on his ability to eat his vegetables.
“Ollie’s world came crashing down around him when he discovered that his dessert privileges were directly related to the consumption of asparagus,” Brian wrote in the caption.
“Ollie pictured here retreating under his chair to contemplate his future,” he added over the photo of a pouting Ollie plopped to the floor.
The innocuous post unexpectedly sparked a brigade of parenting police, with a self-righteous horde following the comments to chide Brian, 36, and Dylan, 42, for not being more tolerant of their three-year-old’s preferred diet.
Today, cameraman Brian Fichera, 36 – husband of the show’s weatherwoman Dylan Dreyer, 42 – sparked controversy with a photo of their son, Ollie, teary-eyed after being denied dessert
Brian sparked some serious debate when he shared the image, joking that his son’s world “collapsed” when he was told he couldn’t have dessert if he didn’t eat his veggies.
But Brian wasn’t about to let strangers unwillingly criticize his and Dylan’s parenting style.
As someone said, ‘Not everyone likes asparagus anyway. It’s just not for everyone… yes!!!’
Brian replied to this asparagus alarmist, “He can use the salt from his tears to flavor it.”
“Oh come on, give that middle child a break. He’ll eat asparagus when he’s big or not, who cares! I feel the same way about peas and I’m fine at 66 years old!!” rebuked another.
In response, Brian concocted a much more extreme retaliation: “Not only will he be forced to eat asparagus… but I’m now forcing him to work on an asparagus farm for the rest of the summer.
“Growing asparagus and caring for them… hopefully naming them and forming an emotional bond with them… then being forced to eat the asparagus he raised and became spiritually connected to. Then he can split half an Oreo… the non-cream part,” Brian teased.
When a third commenter frantically begged, “Please don’t let him eat it if he doesn’t like it!” There’s nothing worse than that!’ – Brian made another sharp comeback.
“He’ll eat it, or I’ll drop him off at the nearest jail and have him arrested, then I’ll begin the arduous process of trying him for treason and punishing him to the fullest extent of the law,” he joked.
Brian – who shares three children with Dylan – was inundated with comments from other Instagram users arguing about the content of his post
Brian had no shortage of scathingly sarcastic comebacks when it came to responding to purveyors of unsolicited parenting advice
Brian took stock of all the unsolicited not-to-be-forgotten parenting advice and dropped the mic with his own follow-up note to the original post.
“Following all your comments, I’ve decided that he shouldn’t just eat asparagus tonight (we still haven’t let him in…he hasn’t eaten them yet). BUT he will have them soaked in milk for breakfast tomorrow,” joked the father of three.
When someone else offered a relatively sober piece of parenting advice, “Just one ‘no, thank you’ bite is all we ask for.” If they take a bite and don’t like it, that’s the end of it” – Brian shared the logic behind his trolling.
“We do, but it’s much more fun to confuse everyone on Instagram by saying things like, ‘If he doesn’t eat the asparagus, he’ll be forced to watch[his big brother]Calvin get his share of eats the ice cream while he eats day old Caesar salad out of a shoe,” he replied.
Still others chimed in for more supportive and playful feedback at this time
Amid the preachy feedback from the swear words in the comment section, others chimed in with more playful remarks directed at Brian and Ollie.
‘He is so handsome!!!! Awww, let him eat a million cookies,” said the couple’s Today colleague Sheinelle Jones.
“He doesn’t know he’ll be eating it in twenty years, wrapped in prosciutto, with some fresh buffalo moth and a drizzle of balsamic reduction… he’ll be fine,” someone else assured.
‘Asparagus? Oops, that’s a tough one. Don’t think I liked it until I was 30. Ollie, I feel your pain,” a third sympathized.
“I think about every decision he’s ever made. Risk versus reward… He’s absolutely adorable, by the way,” commented another.
And one rioter even applauded Ollie’s rebellious spirit, writing, “I praise his protest! Hold on, Ollie!!! They’ll break!’
Brian and Dylan tied the knot in 2012. In addition to Ollie, they share Calvin, six, and baby Russell, who is 21 months old.
Earlier this week, Dylan recounted her “favorite” memory of their wedding, describing a spontaneous moment when her husband “twirled (her) across the dance floor. It was pure joy, love and happiness.’