In a society constantly body shaming women (thanks, VS Fashion Show), we are criticized over every little flaw. I confess, I have been a contributor to this terrible system. I constantly look back at Facebook photos from high school, admiring my abs and thin arms while hating myself for the pint of Ben & Jerry’s I just devoured.

While the idea of the Dad bod is praised and admired, the equivalent for women is frowned upon and considered “gross”. Unlike the Dad bod, a Mom bod isn’t always solely developed as a result of a poor diet and lack of exercise. Yes, these factors play a key role, but some women are simply built with slower metabolisms and don’t have genetics on their side. While some girls are #blessed with being naturally skinny, those who aren’t, need to be comfortable in their own skin and know that rocking a Mom bod is normal for the average girl. No matter how many cleanses or fad diets we attempt, the idea of a thigh gap remains a foreign concept.

You know what’s better than a tight ass and a flat stomach? Your mind. Your personality. Your self-confidence.

There is no clear standard for what a Mom bod is. Unlike the “beer belly” of the Dad bod, is there a distinguishing characteristic that really defines a Mom bod? Having a Mom bod is about embracing what may be seen as flaws and saying, “Wow, that’s what makes me, me”. Alright, I get it, enough with the self-love crap, but seriously overall, there are so many reasons why having a Mom bod is pretty kick-ass.

There is no shame in late night binge eating.

Returning home from a night out and going right to bed makes you a huge bore. I can promise from experience, the best thing to wash away the stale taste of vodka and bad decisions is an order of Dominos cheesy bread. Afterward, I don’t feel terrible about myself because I know life is more about balance and less about counting calories.

Cardio is not your best friend or worst enemy.

The gym is not your worst enemy. You enjoy going to relieve stress or just to feel productive about your day. You exercise because you want to, not because you have to. Counting calories burned only makes you more paranoid about the calories you've consumed. Missing a day or a week at the gym doesn’t make you a terrible person, it makes you human.

You know what you’re getting in the long run.

You already will have an idea of what you look like and how your body works. This allows you to maintain your figure and helps you not be so hard on yourself throughout the process of becoming a real mom. As a mom, you will already know who you are and be comfortable in your own skin, making you the most sought after MILF of your future son’s friend group. If girls love Dad bods, boys should love Mom bods.

Because you’re a real woman.

Mom bods continually kill it in bathing suits, constantly are the life of the party, and are always willing to recreate the latest Tasty recipe.

You don’t need to starve yourself or miss out on opportunities in order to look a certain way and gain gratification from others. Since you are less concerned about the perfect figure, you are able to focus on improving your mind and the way you treat others.

Society’s standards are shit anyways because the same society that believes only thin women are beautiful also believes that Donald Trump would make a good President. So point proven. Maybe if we start to love our own bodies, society will begin to love them too. For me, I have a Mom bod, and I love it.