The Mom Bod Is Something to Celebrate

home insemination Kit

I recently shared a selfie on my Facebook blog while gearing up for a pool day with my kids. My caption read, “Off to the pool! Here’s hoping the whole Dad Bod trend is still in, because I’m going shirtless!” The concept of the “Dad Bod” really took off after a college student named Jamie wrote a piece about why women find guys with a little extra around the middle more appealing than those with chiseled abs. It felt like a relief for many men to realize they could ditch the gym guilt, while women were left wondering, “What about the Mom Bod?”

Just moments after my post, someone chimed in, “I wish Mom Bod was a thing.” Ironically, I was sitting in a Target parking lot, three kids ready for their swim in the backseat, while my wife, Sarah, was inside looking for a new swimsuit because her old one didn’t fit right anymore. We had a bit of a playful argument before leaving home. I told her she looked amazing in whatever she wore, but she insisted that motherhood had transformed her waistline and how her suit fit.

Eventually, Sarah returned with two swimsuits, unable to decide which one was better, and I reassured her, “You’ll look incredible in both.” When she stepped out of the changing room in a sleek black one-piece, she looked stunning, hair pulled back, and our little one, Mia, resting on her hip. But even as she approached, I could see a hint of uncertainty in her expression.

“You look fantastic,” I said, trying to boost her confidence. She gave me her familiar half-smile, a mix of disbelief and doubt.

Then I took my shirt off for the first time in ages, feeling a newfound confidence after losing some weight. Sure, I still had a Dad Bod, but I felt ready to enjoy the water. About an hour in, Sarah snapped a picture of me with Mia, and when I looked at it later, I didn’t like what I saw and ended up deleting it.

“Why’d you delete it?” she asked. “You looked good!”

“I felt fat,” I replied, shrugging it off.

“You looked sexy,” she insisted, flipping the script on me. Suddenly, she was the one trying to lift my spirits about my Dad Bod while I had been focused on her confidence.

But let’s be real—what even is the Dad Bod? It’s a media creation, a trend born from a single article. The truth is, neither of us fully accepts the compliments we give each other because we’re both struggling with our self-image. Society bombards us with narrow standards of beauty that shift constantly, leaving us feeling like we never quite measure up. I’m sure Sarah feels that way too.

Here’s the real deal: I think my wife is incredible in so many ways. She takes my breath away. If there were a way to capture how much love she gives to our children, how dedicated she is to our family, managing her role as a full-time mom and part-time student, she would be on every magazine cover because that’s the real beauty.

Having a flat stomach or perfect curves may look good on the surface, but it’s the dedication, love, and drive that truly matter. After a decade of marriage, my admiration for her goes far beyond physical appearance; it’s about everything she does for our family.

As we wrapped up our pool day and loaded the kids in the van, I pulled her in for a hug and said, “You were the most beautiful woman at the pool today.”

“To you,” she smiled back.

“That’s all that matters,” I replied, and we shared a kiss.

This whole experience reminds us to embrace our bodies, imperfections and all. And if you’re interested in learning more about insemination and family-building, check out this excellent resource from the NHS. For those looking for tools to assist in their journey, the BabyMaker Kit is a reliable option to consider. And if you want to dive deeper into the world of home insemination, our blog post on terms and conditions could be a good read.

Summary

In a light-hearted reflection on body image and self-acceptance, the author shares his experience of navigating the Dad Bod phenomenon while highlighting the beauty of the Mom Bod. Through candid moments with his wife and their kids at the pool, he emphasizes that true attractiveness comes from dedication and love, not just physical appearance.