Sarah Michelle Gellar thought she was sharing a sweet family moment—but the internet had other ideas.

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star recently posted a heartfelt birthday tribute to her daughter Charlotte, who just turned 16. Alongside her words, Gellar shared photos of Charlotte’s celebration, including the big reveal: a brand-new Jeep topped with a giant red bow.

“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 wrote on Instagram. “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. I’m so lucky to call you my best friend. And I’m equally excited to finally be your passenger PRINZEss.”

While many fans celebrated with the family, others were quick to criticize the gift. One commenter wrote, “Really great choice of first car for the planet.. go burn loads of fuel on roads with your off road 4×4!” Another added, “My son had to work hard and save up to buy his first car, like myself and my wife.” Someone else simply said, “This is ridiculous for a 16 yr old.”

But Gellar also had plenty of supporters. One fan clapped back at the critics, writing, “If her parents want to buy a car for her birthday, let them. If they want to buy her a college education, let them. If they want to buy her a brand-new pet, let them. At the end of the day, it’s their money, their child, their business.”

Another defended her post as “wholesome” and called out the negativity: “Figures all the jealous, bitter people would find a way to be upset.” A third chimed in, “We need to normalize not being petty and jealous that someone has what you don’t.”

This isn’t the first time Gellar has been open about family life. Earlier this year, she appeared on Today With Jenna and Friends and surprised the hosts with her secret to a long marriage with actor Freddie Prinze Jr.: “Separate bathrooms!” she laughed.

The couple, who met while filming I Know What You Did Last Summer in 1997, started dating in 2000 and married in a star-studded Mexican wedding in 2002. Together, they share Charlotte and their son, Rocky.

Gellar has also spoken about the importance of commitment. In a 2024 interview with Fox News Digital, she reflected on why so many marriages don’t last today. “You have to put the work in, and we live in an extremely disposable society now,” she said. “Your phone breaks, you don’t fix it. You get a new one, and I think that’s a lot of the attitude toward relationships.”

Whether fans agree or not about the Jeep, Gellar’s post shows her deep love for her daughter and her commitment to family. The backlash reminds us of how quickly social media can turn even a joyful family milestone into a debate.

At the end of the day, the milestone was about a mom’s love for her daughter—and that’s something worth celebrating.