In a world where we should celebrate each person's diversity and individuality, it's disheartening to hear stories of judgment and shaming, especially when it comes to something as personal as one's choice of attire.

For one Australian mum, a simple trip to Woolworths turned into an unsolicited critique of her motherhood based on her outfit, a scenario that many would agree has no place in our society.


Emma Diedrichs, a young mother, found herself the target of an unwelcome comment while navigating the aisles of her local Woolworths with her one-year-old child in tow.

‘It's Sunday, the supermarket's busy, even getting a park is a nightmare,’ she said on a video.

Dressed for the Brisbane heat in shorts and a top that revealed a sliver of midriff, Emma was confronted by an older man who felt compelled to voice his opinion on her attire.


‘So I'm walking all the way across the shopping centre car park, getting to Woolies, get a pram, putting my one-year-old in the pram seat, and this old man has the audacity, audacity to say to me, you're a mum, you shouldn't be wearing that.’ she added.

‘I honestly was so taken back by it.’

‘I thought he was saying something about the shopping trolleys, but when I understood what he said, I was so taken aback. I laughed nervously and walked off.’

‘I didn’t really think about it until after.’


The incident, which Diedrichs shared on social media, quickly resonated with many viewers.

The video sparked a conversation about the expectations placed on mothers and the double standards that women face in their daily lives.

The hypocrisy of the man's comments was not lost on Emma's supporters, who rallied around her online.

They pointed out the absurdity of the notion that a mother's appearance affects her parenting skills.


‘I have heard of this happening to other mothers, and to be honest, this isn’t the first time something has been said to me,’ she said.

‘As a single mum, I am out and about so often with my son, so I do have a lot of people who make comments.’

‘Not all are bad. Most are nice comments.’

‘But what strikes me the most is that the only time I get comments is when I’m on my own.’

‘When I’m with my partner, friends or family, no one even bats an eyelid. As soon as I’m on my own in public, it’s like everyone has a right to talk to you.’


The support Emma received highlights a growing movement that rejects the notion that mothers must sacrifice their identity and conform to a frumpy, unassuming standard to be taken seriously.

‘Why is it when I'm by myself with my kid, I'm constantly told I'm doing this or that wrong as soon as my husband is around, he's doing such a good job/no one would say a word, you look amazing btw mumma,’ one supporter wrote.

In response to the incident, Emma expressed her wish to use the opportunity to educate rather than retaliate with anger.


‘I’m not a snappy or rude person, so I would never turn around and say anything nasty. But I wish I understood properly what he said and maybe used it to educate him that it’s not his right to comment on what I’m wearing just because I am a mum.’ she said.

‘Even if I wasn’t, what’s his right to comment? It was so hot outside and maybe being our first day out of winter, so he probably expected women to “cover up”, but even then, there were other young girls walking around wearing a lot less than I was, but just because I had my son with me, meant I had to cover up. Insanity, really.’

‘I think everyone has a right to an opinion, and that’s fine. Sometimes, it just needs to be kept inside your head.’


Have you or someone you know faced similar judgments? How did you respond? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.