Elaborating further, she explains that a watermelon is likely overripe if the underbelly looks sunflower yellow or nearly orange. 'The underbelly, or ground spot, should not be orange,' says Manaker. Receiving the least amount of sunlight, the yellow pigmentation develops on the side of the watermelon that had direct contact with the ground. Known as the watermelon underbelly or ground spot, this coloring inconsistency occurs on the underside of watermelons due to their former positioning while still growing on the vine. One way to ensure you're picking a watermelon that's ripe and ready to serve is to examine the yellowish spot on its rind. Now, more than ever, women and mothers need to be lifting each other up, not tearing each other down.Of course, the exterior of a watermelon should appear mostly green-but green isn't the only color to consider when on the hunt for the best watermelon at the grocery store. I encourage the person who said whatever it was they said to think about why my decision upset them. When I get a mean comment, I respond with love and positivity and don’t let it get under my skin. It’s so heart-warming to see them all connecting and inspiring each other!Įvery day on my Instagram and blog I remind my readers that they’re doing the best job that they can as moms and that even if I recommend one thing, it might not be best for them. A block-print is as timeless as Julias New Hampshire hometown and as classically pretty as they come.

We have over 1000 moms connecting daily and helping each other through difficult stages, recommending products, and giving advice. I’ve started a Facebook group for like-minded mamas who want positive, uplifting support. So, what am I doing to combat mom-shaming? No one else can possibly know her the way that I do, and watching her grow and thrive as a happy, smiley little ball of joy is all the confirmation I need to know that I’m doing the right thing. I remember that it’s their problem not mine and that I know what is best for my family and my baby. And guess what? I was right! People have criticized everything from how long I breastfed to what I feed her to our child care choices.īut now when someone is mean or nasty about my parenting decisions, I let it roll off. I knew that it would be the first of many, so my attitude had to change. My first emotion was fear… Was I going to be a terrible mother because I had a sip of wine at a wedding? Soon after, that turned to anger… How dare this person get inside my head and make me second guess my decisions! Then I got really sad… How would I get through my pregnancy and a lifetime of motherhood if I couldn’t handle one comment?

(I’ve since realized that drinking even small amounts while pregnant is maybe the most polarizing topic on the planet so I never brought it up again!) The comment was in response to me talking about how my doctor had said it was ok to have a small glass of wine now and then during pregnancy. After years of blogging, I had gotten used to a certain amount of criticism and snark from readers, but when I was pregnant and someone commented that I would be “an awful mother”, it shook me to my core. I put my life out there every single day so I don’t expect everyone to love me or what I’m doing. I still have extreme guilt about the judging I did before I became a mother, but one of my goals as an influencer is to do whatever I can to combat mom-shaming and judgement. I realized quickly, as every mother does, that sometimes it’s just about survival mode and every day, you’re just trying to do your best! I’d judge moms for co-sleeping.Īnd then I had a baby and everything changed. I’d judge moms for letting their kids watch an iPad at lunch. I’d nod in agreement at how awful it was, but never fully understood the extent of it until I got pregnant.Īt the same time, before I had a baby I would judge moms without ever saying a word. Before I had a baby, I had heard the term “mom shaming” thrown around a lot by my friends and on social media.

Lemon stripes