Olympian gold-medalist Shawn Johnson East welcomed her first child lasy year, after suffering a miscarriage in 2017. Her daughter, Drew Hazel, nicknamed Roo, was born in October. As new parents do, Shawn and her husband, Andrew East, delight in all the firsts and playful moments in their baby’s life, posting many of them to Instagram. Given Shawn is a retired gymnast, she and Roo were playing on the beach in Miami when Shawn decided to assist Roo in her very first “flip,” which she posted Tuesday:
Aw. Did you find that cute? Well, you’re wrong! At least according to all the Nosy Nellies who flocked to Shawn’s timeline to tell her so, like the one who left this comment:
While she may have been perfectly safe, sometimes you are a bit rough handling such a young baby, and not making her warm enough when you take her out. She needs at least socks if not shoes, as well, and hats.
Yes, one must bundle up to brave those frigid Miami temperatures. Not to mention, Shawn posted a short video of Roo wearing her beach hat and glasses, so she just didn’t have them on at that particular moment. But the ‘rough’ claim is equally absurd. At no time did I get nervous watching the Roo spin her first flip. You can see clearly that Shawn has full control. Shawn felt the need to clap back, though, telling the interloper:
Are you holding her? Have you physically felt her sweat when she wears socks? Or felt her strength when she stands? Or seen her fuss until she stands up because she hates laying down. Nope. You haven’t. I’m her mama. I know.
Y’all know how much mom-shaming gets to me so my reaction will not surprise you. This is ridiculous, it’s a fun little moment and Roo doesn’t seem bothered in the slightest. Maybe curious why the earth turned upside down, but she’s not crying or fussing at all about it. But, as you can read in Shawn’s caption “(she was perfectly safe… so don’t even haha)”, she was bracing for the critique and that’s because it’s happened before. Shawn posted a video of dancing with Roo over Christmas and added a similar line to hat caption “(yessss mommy shamers… I am sure there is something I am doing very wrong )” people love to judge others’ parenting. And don’t let the anonymity of IG fool you, they’ll walk up to your face and tell you everything you are doing wrong.
I get that a person invites a certain level of criticism by sharing these moments on a public forum. But doesn’t the Mom Police have anything better to do? My gawd, their appearance on an innocent post is almost guaranteed. Here’s why I have such a problem with it: these concern trolls have no idea what battles that parent is fighting. When Shawn lost her first baby, she publicly broadcasted her emotional state, “I had these guilty feelings of if, ‘I can’t even take care of child for a week in my stomach, I can’t raise a child on my own.’” There’s almost no criticism a person can throw at a new parent that they haven’t already beat themselves up about. Adding to that with false criticism created with no understanding of the situation at all is just cruel.
I think Roo is adorable and I hope Shawn keeps posting fun moments like this. I’m sure she’s figured out that those shaming her are filling some void in their own life, not hers. But I’ll bet it’s still irritating as hell, though.
Photo credit: Getty Images and Instagram
I see these comments as internalised misogyny
Shaming and judging women is something we have all lived with for so long that we do the work for them now
Her baby looks as normal as any other and I hope she discovers that she can enjoy her and zone out the noise ( maybe change her social media settings if it starts getting to her )
“Shaming and judging women is something we have all lived with for so long that we do the work for them now.”
You are absolutely correct. It’s everywhere online, including here. So much of what we see in the media pits women against other women, judging them in a harsher standard than men. A lot of women have internalized that. It’s such a shame.
Everybody should just mind their own business. There are too many keyboard warrior’s out there. js imo
Misogyny for sure
Also jealousy. When I see people comment or judge someone online I feel like deep down (or obviously) they are extremely jealous of that person and want to bring them down to make themselves feel better.
I apply the same ideas to women who do this offline. I keep a very tight circle these days of women who empower each other. Growing up I surrounded myself with the kind of girls who when out for dinner who gossiped and judged everyone, and it was no surprise that you were be the subject if you went to the washroom or when you weren’t around. It’s so toxic and awful, and is way to common place.
I’m the same way, Bam. I have a tight circle of friends and not a mean girl in the bunch. We empower each other, support each other, and have each other’s backs. I wouldn’t trade my friends for anything.
Ugh…eff them, especially the commenter highlighted here! Her daughter is adorable and looks very happy & healthy, not to mention that her husband is super cute. Why some people feel the need to comment like that is beyond me, but good for Shawn for being aware of that nonsense and staying above the fray.
That baby is just a cute little thing… Good God, people need to calm down, I think Mom has it under control.
She is cute as a button!!!
And BABIES love spinning around and stuff like that.
Socks and sand don’t really mix.
I know, right? My kids were raised on the Bahamian sand. They NEVER wore socks. To this day, they hate socks. I damaged them. Not sorry.
Lucky kids!
Yeah, who tf thinks this baby need socks on the beach??
@tealily
Somebody who doesn’t get out & instead is obsessed w/mommy shaming strangers online lol
I like to slide in and shame the mommy shamers by registering how sad I am that they are spending time on their phones/computers mommy shaming and not with their own children! It stunts their growth and makes them feel unloved you know. All those minutes your attention is on them. They’re napping? Well this is the time you can be preparing delicious organic snacks! Without those your kids suffer. They’re at school? Why aren’t you volunteering there? You see that’s how children come to not value their education, because you don’t. But I’m sure you’re doing your best. 😏
Perfect.
very well said.
THIS THIS THIS!
The irony! They’re literally wasting time criticizing other mothers…when that time, by their judge standards, should be spent w/their kids.
It’s so pathetic. I feel sorry for their children & spouses of MommyShamers. Tho let’s be real, their kids will grow to resent them & their husbands will probably divorce them (or just bang other less miserable ppl on the side). Tragic lmao
Lol! This response is perfect. While they are commenting on others, their grand kids might just be taking off their socks & hats.
P.S.- Can you imagine having one of these trollers as your mother-in-law?! Oh, wait…I can…
Just another way for women to focus on hating other women instead of hating the men who have encouraged and profited off of this attitude for … well, ever.
It’s currently my SUMMER temperatures in Miami. Like a nice summer day where I live is Miami in freaking February. So freaking spare me the “oh but you need to put more clothes on herrrrrr” BS.
maybe the mom police ought to direct their concern and ire towards more important issues such as an ineffective child welfare service and the toothless legal/justice system that fails to protect children on a near daily basis
Not to mention the children still in cages…you’re so right, there are so many children who do need protection, but I guess it’s easier to be a holier than thou keyboard warrior.
That video is adorable. She obviously has a good grip on her baby and it’s a beach!!! Baby seems perfectly dressed for the beach. People need to get a life. And yes, it is misogyny, holding women to some perfect standard of motherhood or believing that when women have children that is all that matters and their actions are allowed to be torn apart and judged.
What a sweet video! That baby is calm and safe in the fully capable hands of her clearly delighted and doting mama. The mommy shaming stuff makes me stabby. We are all just doing our best, what purpose does it serve, really, to criticize other mothers?
Cute video, cute baby. NOTHING to see here.
I will never understand mommy shamming. I don’t have kids but if I did it would be something I wouldn’t tolerate one bit. This woman is so gentle with this child yet confident, I really don’t see a problem. Babies love this kind of playing, or lifting them up. I’ve never seen a kid who didn’t laugh after that.
I don’t tolerate it at all. I had an older woman tell me to put a hat on my kid recently. And when I said “It’s 55 degrees out, she’s fine,” the woman seemed shocked that I hadn’t just meekly acquiesced, like she was actually speechless. It’s a weird phenomenon.
Aww, the baby is so cute, what an adorable video. And mommy shammers need to stoooop. Aren’t you tired?
Beautiful family, enjoying their beautiful baby. As for the ‘mommy police’, bless their hearts.
When my babies were that age I’d lay them on their back and tug their feet to roll them feet over head onto their bellies and they’d laugh and laugh.
I also used to set them on my hip, hold them with one arm around their waist and with the other, I’d hold their hand and do a round thr would that dipped their head towards my knees as I pulled their body across my waist. It’s kind of hard to describe but their legs/butt would basically slide from one hip, across my waist and end up in the same position on my other hip.
Babies can be so much fun at that age. Their giggles are so heart warming.
When we would go to a Mommy and Me music class, flipping the babies were a part of the class. The babies loved it, and as long S it was done carefully and slowly, it was 100% fine. Ironically, we used to flip the babies to the song “The Grand Old Duke of York.” He was as big a moron in the song as he is in real life.
I was about to say the same thing. I took my kids to a baby gym class when they were infants and they did all sorts of activities to aid their physical development. mine loooooved being flipped like that. the video is cute, and her baby is adorable.
I have been shamed for keeping my baby at home too much. People who shame need to realize that if my kid gets sick, I have to call off work and take him to the MD. When they want to make that sacrifice they can give me their opinion. And yes I let my toddler watch TV sometimes, oh well 🤷
Shamed for keeping your baby home, shamed for taking your baby out. You can’t win!!
I’m not even a mom and stuff like this makes me see red. Yes, let’s bundle the baby up in a parka and ski hat for those frigid Miami beach days. 🙄
On a nicer note, that is one lovely family.
Why do women attack other women? Why can’t they just let mom’s do their thing? Insane.
Thanks for your faux concern Karen… get a life next time
I follow Shawn and I’ve definitely seen some questionable holding techniques (and baby survived!) from her but this is…not a big deal?
Questionable to who? You?
I dove through her Instagram and I agree, there are some questionable things.
Like…what? I haven’t noticed anything.
Yeah, I haven’t seen anything “questionable” either. We all learn to be moms as we go. We’re not always perfect, but that’s not, nor should be, the point.
If you are pregnant, delivering…wherever, have a newborn, baby, toddler, etc., and decide to share online, be prepared for it. Doesn’t matter who you are, what you’re doing, if you’re smiling and sharing love, you’ll get it. In spades. And Mom shaming is an online behavior which uncomfortably happens offline as well. Your grocery cart inventory will be scrutinized, and you will be judged lol. Honestly, you don’t have to be doing anything at all, your weight gain is more than enough to get the shame ball rolling. Cheers peeps.
Ugh you’re right. I was going to say she should just turn off her comments but you’re right it doesn’t end at social media.
It’s SO true. I live in a small town and I love it. BUT, there is a definite clique of the stay at home moms who volunteer at the school, pack their kid’s lunches with organic snacks, take and drop off their kids at school in their huge SUVs. I have no problem with it. They have a problem with a working mother who lets their kids pack their own lunches (with healthy stuff!), and ride the bus home. The looks I get at functions I am able to make are almost comical. Eh. There’s so much more in the world to worry about that these Karens just don’t bother me. It’s too bad, though.
Mothers and women should support each other and their decisions if they’re doing their best.
I think it’s that way everywhere. My kids are years apart, and the looks I got, regardless of age, were always expected. I knew it too. I dress in mostly black. I always looked like a vampire because I’m white as Casper, but loved a red lip. I’m smart and mouthy and refused to join PTA even though I went to everything, donated and volunteered. I knew those women. I knew the speeches, the gossip and the mean girl hate. And they knew I’d spill whatever I heard come pouring from their narcissistic and hypocritical mouths (it’s why they always shut up and turned away whenever I approached with a big, “Hey Y’all! smile lmao. I loved admitting I craved and guzzled beer when breastfeeding (even though I normally hate beer) and watching them convulse and have coronaries. Didn’t matter three separate obgyns gave the go-ahead because my body was obviously yelling at me. And I made enough milk for for every infant in every predominately white suburban community across the state of Texas. Their torture was a gift, and it was the only way I could manage their predisposed hate. 😁 And so it was with every ‘look’ I ever got. I used every one as an opportunity for my personal entertainment.
I was the Deadhead mom, with my suitable hippie-esque clothing and my largely holistic psychiatry practice. I think I scared the “perfect” moms because I was perfectly imperfect and perfectly happy with that.
It’s true! When I was pregnant with my first I was at a farmers market with a friend and this young woman loudly said “omg that girl is HUGELY PREGNANT”
I stopped walking and said “OH MY GOD WHAT?! I’m pregnant? That’s what’s wrong with me? I had no idea!”
After that I did have some speechless moments when met with mom shaming but typically I just flip people the bird and keep walking. It makes them so mad lol
I got that one day at McDonald’s. I was just getting a soda (yes, a coke), and paying when he said, “Whoa! You’re having twins aren’t ya!” Even though I just paid, I said, oh shit you’re right, better add a bacon cheeseburger and large fries.
Ya supersized that crap, right? I hate sanctimommy comments.
The mommy shamers have too much time on their hands. They need to get off their phones and find something to do with their lives that’s worthwhile and productive. Shaming mothers for nothing is not it.
Mommy shaming: A tale as old as time. Back in the day you got shamed right to your face by hateful people in the grocery store or at the park or the mall. Memories. Shawn appears to be a very caring and thoughtful Mommy. She should block her comments.
It still happens in public! I take care of babies in my home. One day I had to run down to my kids’ school. It was a warmer winter day and the baby that was with me didn’t come to my house with a coat so I was carrying him in from my car to the school and I hear a woman on her way out stage whisper to her friend “that baby should be wearing a coat.” I snapped right around and said “his mom didn’t pack him one.” She just looked at me with wide eyes. Like hey, yeah, don’t mom shame! I’m not verbally or physically abusing him so mind your business. So tired of internalized misogyny bc that’s exactly what it is.
It still happens and has happened to me several times!! People are mad crazy over the dumbest things.
Anybody else thinks she looks like Shailene Woodley? I thought it was her in the pic for a moment.
Ugh gross. When I was pregnant with my second I met a friend at SeaWorld (before the Blackfish doc). We were watching the dolphin show with our babies and I felt a poke in my back. I turned around and some old woman goes YOU SHOULD HAVE A HAT ON YOUR BABY. I didn’t know what to say! My friend looked at her and said “she’s fine.” We turned around.
After I stood up and said “you poked a pregnant woman by the way.” Old bat was horrified. I reported her to security.
Meant to add that the old b-tch assaulted me with her umbrella, not her hand.
Flip the baby in private and be done with it.
Why?
or flip the baby wherever you want and enjoy her childhood.
Mom shaming is the craziest thing ever!! As a mom, I know we are all just trying to make the best decision for our families! You get shamed for every single thing you do!!!! Examples: Only buy organic and gluten free food?? okay you think your kid is a special snow flake And a waste of money! Don’t let your kids have screen time??? Omg you are raising your kids Amish, they will rebel and be obsessed with TV!! Take your kids to McDonald’s?? Omg you’re feeding your kid poison!! YOU CAN’T WIN!!!! They shame us for any and every decision.
Wait until her baby kicks off a sock in the grocery store. The Nosy Nellies will be on you quick!
My boyspawntwin kicked off his little sweatpants and slithered out of his diaper when he was a tot. In Macy’s. And toddled around like that until I could secure girlspawntwin and chase his toddling little ass down.
“There’s almost no criticism a person can throw at a new parent that they haven’t already beat themselves up about. Adding to that with false criticism created with no understanding of the situation at all is just cruel.“
As a first time mom to almost 6 month old twins, I felt that statement in my SOUL, Hecate.
You’re going to LOVE having twins once you get past the enormity of two at once. My twinspawn are 18 now and at college.
What is wrong with people? She clearly adores her child and that little flip was done very gently and safely. Very cute baby.
Last time I checked, you are supposed to move them around like that to develop their vestibular sense. Maybe they are all just sad trolls?
Right after I adopted my younger son, I took both of my kids to the grocery store. My son was a toddler, but he had only been home for a few weeks and I was paying lots of attention to him because we were still very much in the initial bonding stage – and because his transition to our family was very traumatic for all of us. A stranger came up to me and asked me if they were both my kids. I said yes. She said, “oh, I wasn’t sure because you were ignoring the older one.” I was stunned – and so hurt. I stammered something about loving both of my kids – and then got in the car and cried. My son was basically dealing with PTSD and I was utterly exhausted and to have this random stranger judge me was just too much.
Big hugs to you. People can be terrible, but you clearly love your children very much.
Screw her. Seriously. I hate people who find it necessary to comment on every “shortcoming” we have. And most of them aren’t even shortcomings, just life.
I’ve helped Mothers who Ive seen struggling with things at airports and such, but I’d never shame anyone on social media and I certainly don’t tell anyone that they’re doing things wrong Unless it’s dangerous like the car seat is on the roof and they are about to drive off, I don’t feel the need to impart my ‘wisdom”. I didn’t buckle my first into her baby swing properly and she fell out like a rag doll. My second rolled off of the sofa when I was taking a photo. The third was unscathed, but they are all fine. Clearly none of these perfect Mothers have attended the Mommy and me classes. There’s lots of flipping and movement that I’m sure they wouldn’t approve of. Also, what’s with the sock thing? She’s on a beach in Miami. What perfect parenting book insists on sock wearing in the hot sand?
I have so many stories about when I was less than stellar at my parenting job. My kids ended up fine. Well, sometimes we’re not sure about the boyspawn, but the girlspawn is fine. LOL
My Aunt bleached every surface in her home and that included toys, etc. She put signs on all of her doors that said “Quiet, baby sleeping”. My cousins were never allowed to do anything that had even the most minimal amount of risk to their physical being.
BTW, they are two of the most delicate, pathetic adults that I’ve ever met. My Aunt would have loved the opportunity to use social media to shame other Mothers. It’s a sickness.