Does Jennifer Lopez’s Booty Video Make Her a Bad Mom?

I have a confession to make: I finally just saw the video for Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea’s video for Booty. I know, I’m a little late to the party. My first thoughts about it were probably a lot like yours: Number one, holy cow JLo is still bringing it. Two, how does she never age? And finally, who’s her trainer? Just look at that tush! Amazing all around.

I brought all of this up over a working lunch this week, and was totally shocked to hear another woman say that she’d seen the video, too, but she wasn’t impressed. “Doesn’t she realize she’s a mother now?,” she said, “It’s not okay for her to go prancing around like that anymore—Iggy’s fine, she’s young, but JLo? It’s just embarrassing for her.” I couldn’t believe my ears. Honestly, what does Jennifer Lopez’s new video have to do with her parenting skills or her love for her children? Answer: It doesn’t. From what I’ve heard, Jennifer Lopez is a fantastic mother to her two children.

The thing that really got to me was the sentiment that JLo shouldn’t show off her body anymore.  Like, it was fine for her to express her sexuality before she was a mom, but now that she’s got kids, she should behave like a nun? This is infuriating, and JLo apparently feels the same way. In response to criticism over her video, she told ET, “Why, because I’m over 40? So I can’t be sexy? Or, is it because I’m a mom? Moms aren’t allowed to be sexy. Uh, how did I get my kids in the first place?.” Well said, Jennifer. Well said.

Becoming a mom is such a wonderful thing—and it does change you, for sure—but it doesn’t mean that you stop being an intelligent, curious, sexual being the minute you walk out of the delivery room. My advice for all of you mamas out there? Crank up JLo’s newest album, throw yourself a living room dance party, and remind yourself of just how booty-ful and sexy you really are. You know you’ve still got the moves!