The Response I Didn’t Expect
When I hit publish on “Motherhood Didn’t Ruin My Body, But It Changed Me Forever,” my heart was pounding. Writing something so deeply personal felt like peeling back a layer I’ve kept guarded for years. I was nervous…nervous to be misunderstood, to be judged, to put a part of myself out there that I usually keep tucked away (both figuratively and literally).
But the response has been overwhelming, in the best way possible. Moms from every stage of life reached out to say “I feel the same way” or “thank you for putting words to what I couldn’t.” And I can’t tell you how healing that’s been. It reminded me that while our experiences look different, the thread of motherhood connects us in powerful ways.
It also reminded me of something we don’t say enough: we need more moms supporting moms, and less judgment of one another.
Motherhood is already full of enough second-guessing and comparison, we don’t need outside voices adding to that weight. What we do need is encouragement, empathy, and community. Because when one of us feels seen, we all breathe a little easier.
Here are a few simple ways we can support each other more:
Lead with empathy. Instead of assuming or judging, ask yourself: What might she be carrying today?
Speak life into each other. A quick “You’re doing an amazing job” or “I see how much you love your kids” goes further than we realize.
Share the hard stuff. Being open about the struggles (not just the highlight reel) helps another mom feel less alone.
Celebrate without comparison. Your wins don’t diminish mine, and mine don’t diminish yours. There’s room for us all to shine.
Offer help, even in small ways. Dropping off a coffee, running an errand together, or just sending a “thinking of you” text can make a world of difference.
If the response to my last post taught me anything, it’s that vulnerability creates connection, not division. And that’s what moms need most, to know we’re in this together.
So thank you for showing me that sharing the messy, complicated parts of motherhood can spark conversations that matter. And thank you for reminding me that when women rally around one another, we can rewrite the story of what it means to “do it all.”
Here’s to more encouragement, less comparison, and the kind of community every mom deserves!
