Learning to Love My Mom Bod: A Journey Toward Self-Acceptance

The Unexpected Struggle with My Postpartum Body

Some women give birth and look exactly like they did pre-baby in no time. I was not so lucky. Pregnancy left me covered in stretch marks and feeling like a stranger in my own body. I felt ashamed of my scars and believed my body had betrayed me. For years, I hated the reflection staring back at me. Until everything changed in a tiny dressing room.

A Moment That Changed Everything

Me and Bella, and my mum tum

Ten years ago, the day before Christmas Eve, I was shopping with my youngest daughter, Bella. I was trying to find a pair of jeans and a cute sweater. Nothing looked right, and my frustration spilled out loud — complaints about my weight, my squishy belly, and my post-baby body.

I’ll never forget what happened next. Bella looked up at me with tears streaming down her cheeks and said, “Mommy, please don’t say those things about yourself! You’re so beautiful!”

When I waved off her sweet words with a gesture to my torso and a sarcastic remark, her tears came even faster. Through sobs, she told me, “I love your belly. It was my first home. I wish you could see how beautiful you are in my eyes.”

Right there, on that tiny dressing room bench, we both cried. I apologized to her and promised to be kinder to myself from that day forward.

Healing from the Inside Out

Learning to love my mom-bod had nothing to do with losing weight or changing my appearance — and everything to do with changing my attitude.

I realized I want to feel as beautiful as the people who love me already see me. And I’ll never get there if I keep bullying myself.

When critical thoughts creep in, I actively replace them with the loving words my daughter, my husband, and those who cherish me have spoken over me. Because they see the real me — scars, squishy belly, soft heart, and all.

And you know what? Their love is helping me see myself through their eyes — and finally recognize the beauty that has been there all along.

A Gentle Reminder for Every Mom

If you're struggling with your postpartum body, please be gentle with yourself.Speak kindly to your reflection — not just for your own healing, but because your children are listening. The way we talk about our bodies becomes the voice they hear when they look at their own.

Honor the incredible story your body tells — the life it created, carried, and nourished.

You are beautiful, mama. Not in spite of your journey, but because of it!

From my heart to yours,

Sumer