Singer songwriter and mother-of-four, Kimberly Henderson posted a snap of her “imperfect” body on her Facebook account to send a message to mothers everywhere to love and accept their own bodies.
Usually, I’d allow myself a bit of a cynical eye roll over this kind of stuff but a read down the considerable list of comments beneath Kimberly’s post gave me pause.
The thread was filled with the stories of other women. Some baring their own mum tums with pride, some refusing to accept Kimberly’s “flaws” as anything more than a humblebrag from a woman who looks incredible and other mums who expressed downright hatred for their own post-baby bodies.
It made me think that perhaps there is a need for the mum tum reveal to some extent. I went on a beach holiday recently and wore a bikini for the first time since having The Child. I looked grand (also nobody was looking at me anyway), I got one of those high waisted fifties ones that basically encompass the entire mum pouch and was very comfortable. Probably more comfortable than I had ever been in my bikini pre-baby in fact.
The mum pouch is a signifier. For many of us the mum pouch is a small reminder of the little people we are so lucky to have or a loss too great to ever articulate. For others, the mum pouch reminds us not to care some much about petty stuff and words like “perfect”. That quite simply there is bigger, more serious sh*t to think about.
Kimberly writes on her Facebook page:
I still have my days too!! But at the end of the day I think to myself… this is MY body. I have two choices; embrace it or spend my time being upset about it! I chose to embrace it! We’re not perfect.. Especially after having babies! That’s normal. Remember, confidence is sexy, motherhood is sexy, not just flat tummies and being skinny! Love you guys! You’re beautiful!
Images via Facebook
