Images via Dove
“There are no perfect moms, only real ones.”
Let’s face it—being a mom in today’s world can feel like an Olympic sport. With expectations coming at us from every angle—social media, nosy strangers at the grocery store, and even our own inner critics—it’s easy to get lost in the quest for “perfection.” Fortunately, Dove is here to remind us that the idea of the “perfect mom” is just that: an idea. Their latest campaign, #RealMoms, is a refreshing reminder that we’re doing just fine as our authentic selves, and there’s no need to conform to some unrealistic standard.
Dove is well-known for launching impactful campaigns alongside their new products, and this time they’ve rolled out a line of baby care products paired with their ad titled #RealMoms. The video showcases six mothers, each with her own unique style of parenting, demonstrating that there isn’t just one way to be a great mom.
Meet the ranch mom who’s teaching her son the ropes of life on the range, and the stay-at-home mom who’s mastering the art of politely dodging unsolicited advice from relatives. There’s also a trans mom navigating her journey with her lesbian partner, a single mom embracing the freedom of making her own decisions, an adventurous rock climber maintaining her identity, and a break-dancing mom who’s totally killing it. These women lead vastly different lives, but they all share one common thread: they are amazing parents in their own right. Because let’s be real, even when we’re giving it our all, it can still feel like we’re falling short sometimes.
According to an enlightening study spanning six countries, titled “Real Mothers Heard,” a staggering 90% of moms reported feeling the pressure to be perfect. Thankfully, many mothers are waking up to the fact that the “got-it-all-together” mom doesn’t actually exist. In a Dove survey of U.S. moms, a whopping 95% said that their real experience of motherhood differs from media portrayals, and only 26% believed perfection in parenting was even achievable.
Today’s moms are starting to recognize that they can nurture their little ones while still pursuing their own interests. A remarkable 94% of survey respondents said they feel they can care better for their babies when they take care of themselves, too. Eight out of ten moms believe they don’t have to abandon their hobbies to be good parents, and 83% cherish being identified as mothers without wanting that to be their sole identity.
So, let’s squash that stereotype that to be a successful mom, you need to be a baking, cleaning, Pinterest ninja. There are countless valid ways to embrace motherhood, and as the video so aptly puts it, “There’s no one right way to do it all.”
For more insights on motherhood, check out our post on pregnancy and home insemination at Intracervical Insemination. If you’re looking for resources to help you on your journey, Make A Mom is an authority on at-home insemination kits. Additionally, for those interested in further reading on genetics and IVF, the Genetics and IVF Institute is an excellent resource.
In summary, Dove’s #RealMoms campaign is a powerful affirmation that motherhood is a diverse and personal journey, free from the constraints of perfection. Every mom’s path is different, and that’s what makes us all extraordinary.