Both women are attempting to make themselves look good by slamming the men they once loved. So, what effect will it have on their kids? Experts weigh in!

This all comes down to one simple question: Should Bristol Palin and Kate Gosselin be bashing their former men in the media and on national TV or should they keep their mouths shut? They are the fathers of their children after all!

First Kate goes on and on, slamming ex husband Jon Gosselin, claiming that he only sees their eight kids four days a month. “I do wish he would see them more, but that is what he has chosen,” Kate told Access Hollwood in early June. “The kids would like to see him more.”

And then today, June 27, on Good Morning America, Bristol bashed former fiance Levi Johnston, accusing him of “stealing” her virginity and abandoning their son, 2-year-old Tripp. She said, he “certainly (doesn’t see Tripp) as much as he’s entitled to,” adding, “I don’t know if Levi will be a big role model in his life at all. I’m not worried about it.”

Experts tell HollyBaby.com that these women are not only ruining their own reputations, but are hindering the self-esteem of their kids — even if they don’t know it. “It is horrendous to be bashing the reputation of the father of your child,” relationship expert Dr. Gilda Carle tells us. “The child needs to have a desire and
belief to be with daddy and doesnt need to have to apologize for wanting to have a bond with the father.”

“As they grow older, they will have their own opinion about daddy, but right now, this has a tendency of making them question who they are, why they were brought up in the world,” Dr. Carle adds. “These mothers, without knowing it are setting up
very poor self esteem in these children. And it only shows how insecure and uneducated they are.”

Dr. Carole Lieberman agrees, but believes that each of them are speaking out for different reasons. “Bristol Palin is still suffering heartbreak from Levi,” Dr. Lieberman, psychiatrist and author of Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them
and How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets, tells HollyBaby.com.

“When she bashes him in the media it is because she is still very hurt and angry. Especially since he seemed to want reconciliation with her and then it did not work. She wants to get back at him for breaking her heart.”

On the other hand: “When Kate bashes John in the media, her heart isn’t still breaking for him, but he has humiliated her in the media by dating one woman after another,” Dr. Lieberman adds. “She is getting revenge by bashing him.”

But still, both experts feel that Bristol and Kate should always keep their children in mind rather than themselves and the “fame” this might bring them. “People in the media should always keep in mind how what they do and say will impact the future of their children,” Dr. Lieberman concludes.

So HollyMoms, who’s worse — Bristol or Kate OR BOTH!

–Leigh Blickley, reporting by Haley Draznin

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2. Is Sarah Palin Right To Take Her Kids Out Of School?
3. Sarah Palin Keeping Daughter Willow Home So She Won’t Embarass Her Mom During Campaign!