This Mothers Day 2025, I salute the women whose love knows no bounds—whose courage and strength create the pillars on which our families and communities stand tall. I remember the warmth in my mother’s eyes when she believed in me even when I doubted myself and I am so full of gratitude to her for support I received. Today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, I want to remind every woman in our Womenlines community that your role is more powerful than you realize. Whether you’re a mother, a mentor, or someone nurturing the next generation, you are shaping the world with love, patience, and strength. It’s easy to forget how much we give, but in these little moments, we create legacies that will last forever. So let’s take a moment to honor not only our own mothers but ourselves, too—because every step we take is part of a beautiful, ongoing journey. Presenting a beautiful heartfelt post by our guest contributor Monalisa Choudhury from India-
Mother’s Day is a time to honour the women who give themselves fully to raising the next generation. It is a day for honouring the countless ways mothers show up for their families. Yet, for some, motherhood’s joy is tainted by a shallow society that judges their parenting choices. From feeding methods to the decision to work or stay at home, and even how her body changes after pregnancy, every choice a mom makes is scrutinised and criticised. The culture of mom-shaming is extremely toxic. It is high time we get rid of this judgmental culture and accept that motherhood, in all its forms, is a shared journey worthy of respect. This Mother’s Day, let’s take a stand against mom-shaming.
Every Choice Gets a Side-Eye
Mom-shaming can take both subtle and overt forms. It can be a judgmental glance directed at a mother who is bottle-feeding or breastfeeding her baby in public as if she has breached some maternal standard. It can also be an online comment about working moms abandoning their children or a passing remark that stay-at-home moms are wasting their potential.
No Birth is ‘Easy’—Let’s Stop Saying It Is
In India, mothers who choose a C-section over natural birth are often unfairly judged as taking an ‘easier’ path. This is absurd. A C-section is a major surgery that requires weeks of recovery while caring for a newborn. It is not a shortcut, but a gruelling path to motherhood. These judgments don’t just sting but erode a mother’s confidence. These hurtful judgments also feed guilt, and isolate women at a time when they need support.
Feeding Fights—Formula or Breast? Just Feed with Love
Another much-debated topic is nursing. People often stigmatise women who use formula milk as lazy or ignorant, despite many new moms experiencing medical issues with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding mothers, on the other hand, might get a gold star for going ‘nature’s way,’ yet criticised if they do it in public. How about we just applaud all moms for feeding their babies with love—no judgment, just gratitude.
Career Guilt
Working mothers face similar double standards. If they return to their careers, they are accused of prioritising ambition over family. If they stay at home, they are labelled as lazy or dependent. A friend of mine, a single mother who works long hours to provide for her child, once shared how a fellow parent implied, she was “missing out” on her child’s life. The comment stung because it ignored her sacrifices and the economic realities that leave many moms with no choice but to work. Both working and stay-at-home moms are doing their best in a world that rarely supports their choices.
Social Media vs Reality
Social media platforms further amplify this judgment. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X are filled with images of spotless homes, organic meals, perfect family moments and mothers who appear effortlessly fit and composed. Such posts create unrealistic standards and make mothers feel inadequate when their reality includes messy kitchens or living rooms.
The Pressure of Bouncing Back
Weight gain after pregnancy is natural, yet society expects moms to “bounce back” immediately. Social media is saturated with photos of celebrities who seem unaffected by parenting. Mothers who don’t shed the baby weight quickly risk being labelled as “lazy,” while those who prioritise fitness are accused of neglecting their kids. A mother I know confessed she avoided postpartum photos because she felt ashamed of her body. No woman should feel pressured to hide her journey as a mother because of society’s obsession with appearance.
Every Mom, Every Choice, Deserves Grace
The sleepless nights and the balancing act of love and responsibility are universal struggles of moms. Instead of judging a mother for choosing differently, we should celebrate her for showing up, day after day, in whatever way works for her family.
So, how do we end mom-shaming? It starts with empathy. Instead of judging a mother’s choices, ask about her story. Listen without assuming you know better. If a friend confides about her parenting battles, offer empathy, not advice. Share stories of their strength, not their “failures.” Call out mom-shaming wherever it pops up, whether it’s a snarky remark at the park or an overly critical online post. Remind every mom she’s enough, just as she is. What matters is her love for her child, not how she demonstrates it to the world.
Motherhood isn’t about chasing perfection. There is no universal rulebook, and every mom’s path is beautiful and different. So, this Mother’s Day, let’s vow to silence judgment and celebrate mothers by embracing their unique journeys and supporting their choices.
Monalisa Choudhury
Also read: Fantastic Ways To Spoil Your Mom This Mother’s Day
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