Serena Williams inspires mothers to share their parenting stories ahead of the U.S. Open
Serena Williams may be gearing up for her return to the U.S. Open on Monday, after taking a break from last year’s tournament to give birth to her daughter, but the tennis player isn’t neglecting to recognize how her new role as a mom both humbles and empowers her, despite her superstar status.
In a post to her Instagram, Williams shared an anecdote about her latest plane journey with nearly 1-year-old Olympia, which ended with Williams covered in vomit. It’s a side of motherhood that the tennis pro might not share so often. However, she’s reminding moms about how important it is to reflect on these relatable moments.
A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Aug 26, 2018 at 1:12pm PDT
“Kids humble us,” Williams wrote before sharing her own story. “#ThisMama wants to remind all mothers [of] the importance of supporting one another through the highs, lows, laughs and tears.”
Calling for the support of other mothers is vital for Williams, who has dedicated her platform to understanding the trials and tribulations of being a working mom — after opening up about the difficulties of balancing it all after accepting defeat at the Wimbledon finals — and being a woman in general, as she wrote in an earlier post.
A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Aug 22, 2018 at 10:04am PDT
As Williams shares the peaks and valleys of her motherhood journey on a worldwide stage, other moms are feeling inspired to share their own personal stories.
Pooped in the bath yesterday- with the biggest smile on her face😭🤦🏻?♀?. Being a mom is no joke, biggest challenge and the highest level of rewarding possible. Wouldn’t change a thang! #ThisMama pic.twitter.com/8GCFZj2wXf
— Big Mama E🦒 (@erinsterrr) August 26, 2018
My daughter loved to take everything out of the pantry & put it all back in. #ThisMama came back in the room to her looking like this & the 3 minutes it took me to figure out she’d gotten into the red food coloring & wasn’t bleeding profusely were the longest 3 minutes of my life pic.twitter.com/eRvmEGlQFD
— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) August 26, 2018
When you’re at a family photo shoot and you get more than what you bargained for 😂 #ThisMama pic.twitter.com/zH7rjWPROT
— Gina DiTommaso (@Gina_DiTommaso) August 27, 2018
Then there was the time I was interviewed by the police on suspicion of being a drug dealer, because my six year old had taken some homeopathic white powder ‘wraps’ to school & given to his friends. When asked what they were he said “people come to our house & buy them” #thismama
— Sarah Ockwell-Smith (@TheBabyExpert) August 26, 2018
But moms weren’t the only ones reading these posts. One male follower joined in to ask whether dad stories were also welcome. Naturally, Williams said “of course!!!!!!!!!!” But feminist activist and writer Roxanne Gay pointed out that this particular father simply missed the point.
You have to laugh. Serena posted about motherhood and invited other women to share their stories. The first comment is a man asking “fatherhood stories not welcome?” I am putting all of you in rice.
— roxane gay (@rgay) August 27, 2018
Overall, Williams’s moment of honesty has sparked an inspiring conversation among moms. Regardless of the outcome of the Open, this mama is a winner in our eyes.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
? Serena Williams shops at Target for beauty products, just like you and me
? Serena Williams shares the inspiring lesson she learned from daughter Olympia
? Serena Williams returns to tennis dressed like a superhero, and fans are freaking out
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