This week’s Moments of Motherhood is up at the AM News, and in it I discuss how we need to judge ourselves and each other less when it comes to what we look like after giving birth. I’ve talked about it before on the blog, but I thought I’d revisit the topic for my column this week.

Here’s a excerpt:

Quite recently Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner was congratulated on her baby bump. While she admitted that yes, she does have a baby bump, she was quick to note that she is definitely not expecting. Garner reminded everyone that she has three children, so of course she has a baby bump, and it’s not going anywhere.

You read all the time about supposedly expecting celebrities, with pictures of the suspected bumps plastered all over gossip magazines. That’s the paparazzi’s job: to raise speculation and create hype about whichever star seems to be most popular at the time.

Just like in the celebrity world, assumptions are constantly made about women in “real life.” On more that one occasion I have heard personal horror stories from friends who have been asked by strangers when they were due when in fact they have an eight-month old baby at home and becoming pregnant is the last thing on their minds. [continue reading …]