If you're a mother, you know the pain and hurt of mom shaming. Moms are scrutinized and judged whether their kids are breastfed or formula-fed, whether they set strict rules or relaxed rules and whether they stay at home during the day or work.
Anna Strode, fitness blogger and stay-at-home mom, broke down one day when she received a harsh message on one of her social media pages:
"I wish I got to stay at home all day and exercise with my child, instead I have to go to work and do WORK," the online commenter posted on Strode's page.
"It cut me pretty deep and while I do my best to remain positive - this hurt," she admitted.
Strode responded to this nasty comment in a public Instagram post.
Her response went viral and gave the world insight into the life of a stay-at-home mom
"Just to break it down... I exercise for 20-30 minutes a day," Strode shared on Instagram. "Sometimes stopping 20 times throughout to fetch toys, bring food, stop hair pulling, break up fights over toys and some days, stopping 2 minutes in because it just ain't happening that day!"
As a mother of two with another on the way, Strode said she spends her days changing messy diapers, handling tantrums, vacuuming three times a day and playing referee between her two fighting boys.
"I literally for most of the part can't take my eyes off them!" she said.
This isn't the first time someone shamed Strode on social media
Most comments on her pages are positive, but occasionally she receives shaming messages from strangers, Strode told The Huffington Post.
"Some people say that me working out means I'm not focusing on my children despite the fact my whole workout revolves around and includes them and is actually their favorite part of the day," she said.
She certainly does include her kids: from squatting with a child on her shoulders to chasing her twin boys as they ride their tricycles. They're even her little cheer squad when she finishes a successful workout.
Despite the nasty comments, Strode tries to spread positive vibes
In addition to blogging her daily exercise routines, Strode sends positive messages to all the mothers out there, working and stay-at-home alike.
"If you've had a rough day today, try laying in bed tonight and asking yourself to have strength to face tomorrow with ENERGY and POSITIVITY," she said. "It's what I do every night and it's amazing what a bit of 'self talk' and 'believing in ourselves' can do for us mamas. You got this MAMA."