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Despite what all the celebrity moms may strategically show, having a postpartum body is a real adjustment. After giving birth, everything in your life has been completely flipped upside down, your body included! It’s not uncommon to feel insecure, and just not like yourself. However, anyone who’s ever had a child knows how difficult it can be to get immediately back into a gym routine.
Janene Crossle is a mom of four, and she knows that her body is definitely not what it was like before she had kids. While snuggling in bed with her babies, one of her daughters happened to grab onto her belly.
"It feels like bubble gum!" the little girl had announced. Normally, this observation would send lots of women into the depths of despair. Even when an innocent comment comes from a child, it doesn’t mean that they can’t shine a light on our biggest body insecurities. However, Janene responded amazingly.
She posted a photo of her daughter grabbing and her “bubble gum” tummy with a huge smile on her face.
“This belly of mine will forever share my story. It's a novel that pleaded and prayed to house my babies. The fresh, crepe-paper skin means that tiny Avery is nestled in my arm instead of on the inside. My sore chest means that I'm still single-handedly growing this baby. What a straight up miracle this is. I'm feeling 100% proud of this post-partum body, with its jelly abs and shriveled up skin.”
While the mom admits that there were “prettier” pictures that were captured of her with her little ones, she prefers this one, as it is a beautiful reminder of her journey to motherhood, and how amazing her body is.
“It made me a mother. A mother who now has cellulite because that's just how my body handled pregnancy. This was my road to Motherhood. Paved with miserable pregnancies and yet a lifetime of unconditional pure love for these 4 little ones. And yeah, I'll make these girls reenact this childhood photo when they're grown with bubblegum bellies of their own.”
Janene’s “ridiculous, unflattering open-mouth pic” truly captures what it’s like to be a mom, and to embrace all of the body changes that come along with it. Not surprisingly, her photo was met with tons of positivity and support from moms all over who could relate to her story.
What do you think of Janene’s picture?
