Embracing Mommyhood, Flaws & All

Some moms make getting pregnant, giving birth, and raising kids (aka being a mom) may sound like it is as easy as going through a daily routine.

I don’t need to be a mom to know that IT IS NOT.

Whether it is doing the groceries, changing the diapers, dealing with morning sickness, experiencing mood swings, soothing the a baby’s cries, back pains, or waiting for everyone to fall asleep before you get a second of rest… nothing can really sum up the amount of effort every mom exerts in almost everything she does. Oh! And on top of this? Body shaming.

With the advancement of technology and the ubiquity of social media, access to people’s lives is now easier than ever. The permission it gives people to post about almost anything is directly proportional to the freedom others have to make or break a person through their opinions. Hence the birth of body shaming.

Body-shaming is a maze where no one can escape. It’s like fashion police but worse, because it is much more personal. Everybody gets some: those with flabs are compared to a pug’s face. Those who are skinny are either shamed for not taking care of their body or for not being skinnier. Even those with muscles and abs are shamed for looking too masculine. Nowadays, body-shaming is rampant and the worst thing about it is that people label the victims as fragile.

So how do we win over these things? We learn from the experts.

How to Get Away With Body Shaming 101

Lesson 1: Make your caption game strong.

Hello new thighs! You appeared out of nowhere but I am not mad at it!

A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Nov 13, 2015 at 12:11pm PST

Lesson 2: Brush it off like a pro!

Bruises from bumping kitchen drawer handles for a week. Stretchies say hi!

A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Apr 12, 2015 at 9:09pm PDT

Lesson 3: Life’s a roller coaster. Learn how to ride with it.

I'll just say it: I have post partum depression. So much love to @glamourmag for letting me share something that was eating me up inside for months and months. One of the most amazing things about social media is the ability to interact candidly with friends and fans and it felt so weird knowing what I was going through but not really feeling like it was the right place to speak on it. I've always felt genuinely close to all of you and I'm insanely relieved you now know something that has been such a huge part of me for so long. My full essay is on the @glamourmag bio. ❤

A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Mar 6, 2017 at 9:24am PST

Lesson 4: Be your own queen. That’s all you gotta be.. Yourself.

#nofilter 😁

A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Apr 22, 2016 at 12:17pm PDT

Lesson 5: Give them a lecture if needed!

Dear Instagram trolls, body shamers, and the men and woman who think it's ok to comment on my weight: I hope that you don't have children. And if you do, I hope you teach them about kindness and acceptance. I hope they learn that it isn't ok to make fun of people or call people names. I hope one day YOU learn what it takes to be a parent. A kind, selfless parent. A working parent. A parent that puts themselves in someone else's shoes. Maybe you can't get it through your thick fucking skull, but nursing a baby for a year (and pumping in a van between takes, in the dead of summer in Georgia) is a lot of work, determination, and scheduling. So before you decide to make a comment about my chest being "too large" or how "fat" I've become, just know that this little girl got the best start to life. I wouldn't have changed it for a second. I would've gladly continued to eat enough calories to produce milk for her little bones to grow. Also, grow the fuck up. Your mother should be ashamed for raising such a judgmental bully. I'm sure she knows how "courageous" you must be for trolling and hiding behind your Iphone and computers. P.s. I would LOVE to see any man or woman give birth to a baby, nurse the baby, and then work 17 hour days and NAIL their own stunts. P.s.s. Be kind to each other. We need it now more than ever. ❤️✌🏼️

A post shared by Alanna (@alannamasterson) on Nov 29, 2016 at 2:32pm PST

Lesson 6: Rub it in their faces!!

I am posting this on behalf of young girls, women, and mothers of all ages. I'm enjoying a vacation with my son after a long season of shooting and being away from him for weeks at a time over those months. Since websites and magazines love to share 'celeb flaws' – well I have them! My body has given me the greatest gift of my life: Luca, 5 years ago. I'm turning 30 in September and my body is healthy and gets me where I need to go. Ladies, lets be proud of what we've got and stop wasting precious time in the day wishing we were different, better, and unflawed. You guys (you know who you are!) already know how to ruin a good time, and now you are body shamers as well. #kissmyass 😛✌🏻

A post shared by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff) on Aug 4, 2017 at 11:45am PDT

Lesson 7: Be proud and happy. The result is a mix of people hating and people showing you support. The latter matters but your attitude matters the most.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWrfw2oAPCv/?taken-by=kylienicolepadilla

Lesson 8: Be an inspiration. Encourage others to rise above it all!

People who shame women for their scars or how their physical appearance has drastically changed must have never known a pregnant woman. It’s that or they are just born insensitive.

So mamas, as women who have sacrificed for your own flesh, feel empowered by the changes your body has been through. Do not let the opinions of others break you.

As Peter Dinklage would say it, wear your flaws as a badge of honour. 🙂

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