"Did the government roll out and distribute a mum uniform and I missed the memo?"
Australian mum-of-four and blogger, Stevie Niki, has had enough of people telling her how she should dress.
Sharing a picture of herself in a unicorn t-shirt and ripped jeans to Instagram recently, Niki wrote that it was commented that she "doesn't dress like a mum".
Eh, excuse me?
Niki was having none of it, and quickly hit back at those that commented about her "clothing not being age appropriate."
Firstly, there are no hard and fast rules about what mothers should and shouldn't wear:
"Did the government roll out and distribute a mum uniform and I missed the memo? Did they assign people to enforce and police such dress codes? Shall I go buy an apron too? Since when do I have to dress according to someone else's likes and dislikes?"
Secondly, Niki continues, how she dresses is not reflective of her ability to be a mother or her parenting skills:
"Who I am on the outside does not define who I am on the inside. Your opinions, views and sense of style only reflects you and not anyone else.
I will look however I want to look and dress in whatever I want to dress in and still be a Mum. I could have a sex change and I'll still be the mother to my children."
Appearances can be deceiving, and Niki challenges us to rethink our preconceptions when it comes to judging people on their outward appearance.
"Enough with the stereotypes.. there's nothing worse or more ignorant. Think before you speak, get to know someone before you choose to judge someone - better yet, just don't.
No one likes a Judgey McJudge face."
Other mums returned the sentiment, echoing Niki's statement that they will continue to dress how the want regardless of age and number of children:
"You are great. Kids today need all the freedom to [be] accepted as equal [with] all the differences and individuality in the world. You go girl- 67-year-old grandma of four."
"S**t, I’m scared, I’m 54, rocking ripped jeans, peroxide hair (way too young to go grey yet) and a tattoo. I have an amazing relationship with my 18-year-old son that many people comment on and wish they had with their own kids. I think you look fantastic and it’s obvious what a great mum you are by the look on your kid's faces and your kickass attitude, go girl!"
"Hey, stay as you are! Forget the critics, they have nothing better to do with their time and they do not like people being themselves."
What do you think of her outfit choice?
