Dear Moms: You Are Allowed To Embrace Your Bodies, Too

“The other day, I had posted a photo of myself in this very same bikini and was told to cover up…because I am a mother. Cue the mom-shaming.

Since when were moms supposed to hide their bodies? Since when were mothers no longer allowed to feel sexy? How do you think babies even got here in the first place?

She went on to say that I should think about what my kids will think of my behind someday. You know what? I want my kids to see a mother who is body positive. I want my kids to see a mother who’s confident in her own skin. Plus, they love my butt and use it as a bongo when I’m cooking dinner or awkwardly standing in line at the grocery store. (Anyone else, no?)

There is no rule out there that states you can’t rock a bikini just because you pushed a baby out of your vagina at some point in your life. In fact, that should make you worthy of one and so much more.

I grew up with a mom who hated her body. In fact, she also made me hate mine by nitpicking it apart and pointing out every time it had looked like I had gained weight as a teenager. I fought like hell to finally love myself and it wasn’t until a few years ago that I started wearing shorts again in public. I would’ve given anything to have a body positive mama and I make sure that my kids see and feel this positivity everyday, not just with looks but with it all.

Sometimes, all a mother needs is to truly FEEL herself. Let’s face it: motherhood can make us feel less than sexy. It leaves us drained, depressed, exhausted, and staring into a mirror, looking at a former shell of ourselves that we barely recognize anymore. And don’t get me started on our postpartum bodies…it can be harder to celebrate our bodies when they’re covered with stretches marks and loose skin.

So mamas, put on your bikinis. You’ve earned it. Every woman deserves to feel comfortable in her own skin without society’s judgey opinions.

Let the mom-judging stop. Motherhood is already tough as it is. We are damned if we do, damned if we don’t, so stay true to yourself.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Sia Cooper of Diary of a Fit Mommy. You can follow her journey on Instagram and Facebook. Submit your own story here.