Serena Williams Has a Message That All Moms Need to Hear
Serena Williams has been open about the struggles she’s faced since welcoming her baby girl, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., last fall, including the scary health complications she suffered after giving birth and the tears she shed when she missed a major milestone in her daughter’s life. Now the athlete is opening up about difficult postpartum emotions in an Instagram post that all moms — or all people, period — need to read.
“Last week was not easy for me,” the tennis superstar captioned a photo of herself standing on rocks by the water. “Not only was I accepting some tough personal stuff, but I just was in a funk. Mostly, I felt like I was not a good mom.”
She noted that she had read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to three years if not dealt with. “Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal,” she explained.
“It’s totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby. We have all been there. I work a lot, I train, and I’m trying to be the best athlete I can be,” she continued. “However, that means although I have been with her every day of her life, I’m not around as much as I would like to be. Most of you moms deal with the same thing. Whether stay-at-home or working, finding that balance with kids is a true art. You are the true heroes.”
She finished with an encouraging message to followers: “If you are having a rough day or week — it’s ok — I am, too!!! There’s always tom[orrow]!”
What helps you manage difficult postpartum emotions? Let us know @BritandCo!
(photo via Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated)
