A common expression preaches that it takes a village to raise a child. However, as many celebrity and everyday moms have found, some help and opinions are more appreciated than others.
When the Village Idiot looks to chime in and bring and element of mom shaming to the table, there are a few ways you can respond. Let’s take a look at some of the best clapbacks celebrity moms have shared with their haters, and how you can take a page out of their books to let mom shamers know when it’s time to leave you and your baby alone.
1. Chrissy Teigen uses sarcasm to tell it like it is
Chrissy Teigen, American model and wife of singer/songwriter John Legend, is one of our favorite outspoken moms. She is unflinching when it comes to mom shamers and uses her unique no-holds-barred sarcasm and overall authenticity to let those critical of her parenting skills know when it’s time to step off.
In a now famous tweet, one user questions Teigen and Legend’s use of in vitro fertilization, asking “Could you not conceive naturally?” Teigen, who has always been refreshingly open and honest about her parenting journey, showed us just how to respond when individuals step over the line. True to Chrissy’s personality, she didn’t let the comment go, responding in nearly the sassiest way possible: “Oh wow I didn’t know you could do that. Would have saved me a ton of money.”
Moms, and especially new moms, may find others who think their new life as a parent is an open book. It was surely none of this user’s business whether or not Teigen could conceive naturally, and while being honest and transparent about parenting has its beneficial – and is particularly supportive for other new moms – don’t feel obligated to share every detail. And sometimes, a sassy comment is all it takes to remind people that it’s none of their business.
“Berry taught mom shamers a powerful lesson: privacy.”
2. Halle Berry highlights her right to privacy
Of course, Teigen isn’t the only celebrity mom that’s had to deal with nosy fans and mom shamers. In this 2016 Instagram post – one that, as Yahoo Style contributor Sarah Terry noted, is a particularly sweet image that includes empowering messages – actress Halle Berry was questioned as to why she choose to hide her children’s faces.
A look at her social media shows this isn’t uncommon for Berry, who frequently shares beautiful photos of her children without revealing their faces. And in her response to the user, who asked, “What’s with the hiding of the faces? They’re beautiful children why not show them off :-/ ” Berry taught mom shamers everywhere a powerful lesson: privacy, and the importance of protecting young identities.
“I’ve noticed you have said this several times now so let me be clear— I’m not at all ashamed of children. I try to find creative ways to incorporate them into my feed because they are the biggest part of my life, but I also work very hard to keep their identities as private as I can considering they are only children. It’s my belief, and I’m not criticizing others who have different beliefs, that it’s my job as their mother to protect their privacy as best I can. When they grow and they’re of age and they want share their images on the internet, that will be for them to decide, not me. Feel me? Have a beautiful day.”
Best of all, Berry was respectful to the commenter and others with differing values but still drove a solid point home: New moms shouldn’t feel pressured to show off their kids. Privacy is imperative, and as much as all your social media friends and followers want to gobble up every photo and video of your new little one, there’s no reason to overshare or publish more than you’re comfortable with.
3. Amanda Seyfried reminds shamers: Judgment isn’t awesome
In a Twitter post from last summer, actress Amanda Seyfried makes a simple, sweeping and important statement: “Breastfeeding is awesome. Formula is awesome. Feeding your baby is awesome. Not awesome? Judgment.”
While people have all kinds of opinions on breastfeeding and formula feeding, Seyfried reminds moms and mom shamers alike that parents should support one another and their feeding choices. There’s no place for judgment when it comes to making sure babies have the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong.
Bonus: Snooki leaves no space for mom shamers
In this poignant Mother’s Day post from 2017, reality star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi shows new moms there there’s one more way to fight off the shamers: Simply don’t provide them with a place to air their unsolicited grievances. She turns off the comments section, and reminds followers, “I’m a good mom and I know what I’m doing. Well most of the time :).”
As a new mom, you may come in contact with a someone ready to criticize your parenting approach or your choices. Like these celebrity moms, don’t be afraid to tell them what’s what, and use sarcasm and a little style – or even shut them out altogether! – and focus on what matters: your new little one and your family.
