It’s that time of year again! The earth has circled the sun eight times since I started SOAM one day while my little children were napping. Now my children are all big and almost teenagery and SOAM is a worldwide website with more than 100,000 visitors every month. Since SOAM started all those years ago I’ve seen countless other places spring up both celebrating a mom’s body and bodies for women and men who aren’t moms. But there’s no place quite like this one. (And PLEASE don’t think I am knocking the other sources which are similar to SOAM – I am not! They are beautiful and powerful and I love them!) The photos here are not professionally staged or lit, they are not created to be shown in an art show, nor are the subjects chosen by me. The photos here are completely candid and very real, showing every stage of the childbearing process, and showing bodies of all shapes and sizes. But I think the real gem here is the community. Here mamas come to talk about how they are feeling – both the positive and the negative feelings – and they are guaranteed a safe place to receive support from women like them, from women who’ve been there, and from women who see things from a different perspective. It’s truly the ideal type of community for women. We come together to support each other. And that is just as beautiful as each of these mamas here.
SOAM would be nothing at all without your participation. When you send in a story, when you share the website link, when you leave comments for fellow mamas, even when you do nothing but read the stories you are powering this movement that is helping to change the world. I could not be more excited to share this experience with you all. As a thank you I’m going to hold a giveaway!
Details:
~There will be three winners
~The prizes will be my last two copies of Fifty Nude Women (one of the best videos I have ever seen and vitally important for every woman), and a gift set from MargLenn Naturals (because pampering your gorgeous mama body is also vitally important). These prizes will be randomly given to the three winners.
~Enter by leaving a comment below!
~Rules: You must be 18 years old to participate. You MUST leave a comment with a valid email address to participate (email addresses are not visible to anyone but me). Three separate winners will be chosen. The contest will close on July 26th and winners will be announced within one week.
(Yes, I’ve simplified this contest. There wasn’t a lot of participation and you know what? I get it. It’s hot. Who wants to do *stuff*? Now all you have to do is leave a comment to enter! And then go help yourself to a lovely afternoon at the pool.)
loughnane.s@gmail.com
Congratulations on another year! I love your site.
I absolutely love your site and I’ve been a visitor for years. Happy Anniversary!
Thoughly enjoy your site. It has helped me to realize I’m not alone with the crazy mixed up feelings I’ve had toward my body since having children; thank you!
* Thoroughly* …I really need spell check everywhere!
Reading all the stories of the mums out there struggling with post baby bodies really helps ease my own issues within myself. Thank you for your amazing site and sending out feelings of empowerment and purpose to not only me but all the other mummies out there and a big happy birthday to you. xx
LOVE LOVE LOVE this website!!! I am 30 and have given birth to 6 kids in 6 years, no twins! I love my body, but need reassurance at times…which is why I love coming together with my fellow mommas. KEEP IT UP SOAM!!
I recently stumbled upon SOAM and I am absolutely in LOVE with your site. It’s great to know that I’m not alone in my feelings towards my post-partum body!
Thank you for another year. This site has really helped me make some changes in my inner dialogue. I’m so thankful.
Great site to stumble upon! I look forward to input and output!!
Happy Birthday SOAM!! <3
Ive been a regular reader for only 3-4 years but it opened my eyes that all of us have been physically affected from our pregnancies even if we seem perfect with clothes on.. Or suffer dabilitating depression from the changes made. That i am not alone. It seems obvious, but when you see the stretchmarks on your belly for the for the first time and not many friends for advice, its pretty scary.
Good luck to everyone!
Happy birthday
Happy birthday! ???? I hope this site continues to support and encourage mothers!
HAPPY B DAY SOAM! Thank you for helping me get over my body issues. I came on here after my first daughter and I am still coming back after my 3rd child.
Congrats! Your blog is amazing! Thank you for it.
I stumbled across the site and it gives me hope. I haven’t posted my story but look here regularly. Thank you for creating it!
I’m about to give birth to my first and was feeling so down on myself when my first stretch marks started to appear… This site helped me see that it had nothing to do with me not lotioning multiple times a day but that it was just a natural occurrence and helped me feel more beautiful with my pregnancy. Knowing I’m not the only one has made my pregnancy and I’m sure will make after I give birth easier as I cope with the changes to the body I once loved. Now I love it in different ways.
Great website! So happy to have found it
I love SOAM. My children are five months and five years old, respectively….and the comfort I feel when I visit SOAM helps me to be more at ease in my own skin, which I know makes me a better mother to them. :)
Great website for mothers everywhere; very Inspiring :)
I love coming to this sight. It is so uplifting and leaves me feeling positive. Happy Anniversary!
Love your site!
Happy Birthday! Although I have never personally posted my story here this website has been a source of great comfort to me. After recently having my first child I have also struggled with body image but this website helps me to realize we are all beautiful!
Very happy to find this site . Has helped me with image through two pregnancies
Lela_massengale@hotmail.com
This is the first time I’ve come across your site and I realize I’ve missed the draw date, but felt I had to comment anyway. This is a beautiful resource and it should be shared with all mothers. I’m 35 weeks along in my fourth pregnancy and love reading about other people’s journeys. Happy birthday, and keep it up!
This site helps alot of mothers realize they are not alone in their feelings about their post baby bodies
Happy Birthday SOAM!!
I love this webpage. I hope it continueus for many years
I have been posting here for almost seven years, and read every single story that comes through, and all the archives. I love this site. It is my favorite go to, to lift my spirits or to try and reach out to other women. Thank you for your inspiring creation.
Stacy Hammond
This is a wonderful blog and a great thing you’re doing. Keep it up, you’re amazing!