Support

I want to adress something here. There are some comments being left at various posts making judgements about the women who posted their pictures. This is a site I created for support for all women.

Every woman here has a different body shape. Every women here has her own personal story. Along with the pictures, we sometimes get a small glimpse into these stories, but we never have any way of finding out the whole thing, just as we don’t even with those women we know in our personal lives, we all have our hidden sides.

While I originally had in mind the pictures of the less “perfect” (as so deemed by society) bodies, I am positively thrilled that even women who “snapped back” are sharing their bodies with us.

Making something as intimate as a belly or breasts as public as this site is, can be very difficult for some women and I want each woman who chooses to bare herself to be supported 100%.

It pains me to read comments calling each other catty, or questioning our breastfeeding relationship because of PICTURES. Are some of the posts here catty? Maybe. Are some of the mothers not eating enough? Perhaps. But we don’t know that. I choose to assume the best in each of these submissions because it makes me feel better about the world. I like to believe the best about people.

I am going to ask again that the only comments left are supportive ones. I would be terribly sad if this website which could be so empowering were to get a reputation of a catty and negative place.

I really don’t like to moderate much, but if I have to I will start deleting anything less than supportive. HONEST questions, asked in a polite way, will always be responded to with respect. But, lets just show the love here, mamas!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in these past two weeks, it’s that we are ALL so beautiful, regardless of how much weight we gained or lost, or how many stretchmarks we do or do not have, or how taut our tummies are or not. This site is here to provide women with the knowledge that we are not alone, so let’s just revel in the amazing beauty of our fellow mothers, and the immense power we have to come together.

(Edited to add… I also don’t want this site to become exclusive to one type of mother. All are welcome here regardless of birthing or feeding choices.)

And, once again, a HUGE thank you to all the amazing women who’ve contributed!

18 thoughts on “Support

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 5:46 pm
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    Thank you for creating this site. I was referred to this blog by a really good friend of mine and this site has given me encouragement that I’m NOT alone. I really ADMIRE these women who have posted their bodies and their stories. Thank you again for creating this site. I’ve passed on the word that your site is on the blogspot. Shame Shame on those people who have left negative comments. Thank you again!!!!

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 6:02 pm
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    Kudos to you Shape of Mama! This is a beautiful site, and I check in continuously during the day to see updates. I hope you’ll keep ’em rolling. I think this site is going to take off hugely and become a great success!Keep it real!

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 6:08 pm
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    You know, you can set blogger not to allow anonymous posters. I noticed the critics were not brave enough to leave their names.

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 7:54 pm
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    I too check the site daily and find it comforting to see other women who look or don’t look like I do after birth and breastfeeding! Thanks!!

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 8:00 pm
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    I came across this site a few days ago from a link on someone else’s blog. I have yet to get the courage to post pictures, but I’m gradually getting some confidence when I realize that my ideas of Moms going back to a flat stomach afterwards isn’t necessarily in the cards for everyone (me included). Thank you for starting this site, giving us Moms a place to share and interact with others that have “been there, done that” and lived to tell and show the tale.

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 9:04 pm
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    This site absolutely blows my mind. It is incredible what our bodies are capable of doing and it strikes so much awe in me… I have nothing but the most profound respect for the women who have shared on this site – the flabby, the marked, the sagging, the taut, toned and tight and everything in between. I am no one’s mother yet, but of all the fears I have in becoming a mother, how my body changes is no longer one of them. THANK YOU.

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 9:37 pm
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    Be Real. Be Authentic. I think that as Moms that’s all we want for ourselves and for our children.I applaud all the women who have posted pictures here. That takes moxie. ALL of our bodies are beautiful – they were the touchpoint of new lives that we now are raising to contribute in making this world a better one.

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 11:02 pm
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    Thank you (and all the posters) for this great site. I check it daily for new posts.I’m saddened that some mamas would post negative comments. It sounds corny but we are all sisters…we share the bond of motherhood no matter the differences in our bodies.

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 1:20 am
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    I think you have a great site.If negative comments continue, with blogger commenting you have the option of reviewing all comments before they become public.

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 4:38 am
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    Thank you for this site!I’m a mother of 2 and my body has changed dramatically as a result of carrying my babies.I read a comment on the site that said the poster shouldn’t be “ashamed” of her body. None of the moms posting should be “ashamed”…stretch marks or not. We are all changed by motherhood. Some womens physical appearance is changed more than others.Thanks for this opportunity!

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 7:30 am
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    I don’t know why we women do this to each other, but we’ve been doing it since middle school. We judge each other more harshly than anyone in the world would judge another human being. Are we really that insecure with ourselves? I think so! Recommended book for moms who have a problem with other people’s choices or bodies: Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety by Judith Warner

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 8:25 am
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    amen. thank you for this, and thank you for the site.

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 8:44 am
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    I am loving this site and plan to contribute as soon as I take pictures of what I look like now. I never thought to share such a thing and now its like why not. I posted a link to this blog on a message board of mothers that I frequent. Thank you so much!

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 9:26 am
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    I’m not a mother yet but I am so looking forward to the day when I find out I am pregnant. This site makes me proud to be a woman and future mother. It also gives me a appreciation for what my mother went through and how glorious the gift of motherhood really is. No one ever talks about what pregnancy is really like but I like knowing. The bodies, the women, in all of these pictures are beautiful. I’m stunned at the strength it takes to carry and nurture a child and the sacrifice it takes to offer your body as the first home for your baby. Needless to say I’m more excited than ever to become a Mommy. Thank you all for your strength and bravery.

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 11:09 am
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    Amen, sisters!

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 1:30 pm
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    Amen, wonderfully said! Thank you for this site. It is truly a wonderful thing that you are doing.

  • Saturday, July 22, 2006 at 8:52 am
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    All these women on here are beautiful, regardless of whether you can see their faces or not. It takes guts to post pictures of the things that make us feel the worst about ourselves. It really seems that the ladies here have realized that their bodies are now more beautiful because of the children they have had, instead of complaining about how bad they look and feel about themselves. Stretch marks and extra pounds are all worth it when you can hug your little ones!Keep up the good work!

  • Saturday, July 22, 2006 at 10:07 am
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    The tauter, firmer, more in shape posts seem to generate fewer responses. I attribute this to envy, period. Bodies are different post-pregnancy, for sure, but a lot of effort goes a long way, too. I have seen way too many mothers justifying eating orders of super-size fries, cheese nachos and fried artery-cloggers, behind the excuse and veneer of a pregnancy that occurred half a decade or more ago.

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