Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson just shared the cutest video of her son Bear taking his first steps, and the internet has decided to take the wind right out of her sails. Because the trolls just can’t help themselves. At 9 months old, Barrett “Bear” Madison East took his first steps, and his wobbly little walk over to his dad, retired NFL player Andrew East, is too cute! From Bear’s proud smile, to Johnson’s utter disbelief, to East’s quick reflexes, grabbing his little guy before he went down — it’s all just adorable.
But followers had a major criticism that we just don’t follow.
“Why are you rushing this, isn’t he like 6 months?” one person asked.
“Why are you rushing your last baby to walk?? I would want him to stay little for as long as he wants since he’s the last one,” another follower added.
Y’all. What?! Do you know how learning to walk works? Why are you being critical of Johnson and East for their son reaching a milestone? Especially one that’s developmentally on target?
“Stop shaming them, no amount of rushing or coaching can actually make a kid walk if they’re not ready!” one follower said, and we’d like them to repeat that louder for the trolls in the back! This is not something that can be “rushed” or forced. And even if it somehow could be — why, why, why do you have to shame these proud parents?!
Honestly, we’re shocked Bear’s first steps didn’t come sooner considering he hit another major milestone months ahead of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP’s) projected schedule. When he was just 5 months old, Bear started crawling and pushing himself up and over so he could sit on his little tush. According to the AAP, those kinds of movements are typically seen in babies 8 to 12 months old.
With him moving and grooving so young, we have to wonder if he is going to be an elite athlete like his parents and like his big siblings are shaping up to be. Johnson and East also share a 4-year-old daughter Drew, and a 3-year-old son Jett — both of whom have some impressive athletic skills.
Jett, who started riding a bike on his own at just 2 freakin’ years old (!!!) is already riding his electric bike up and down ramps at a local skate park. And Drew — who initially showed an interest in her mama’s sport — now seems to be super into ice skating.
Who knows what sport Bear will eventually pick up (or not!). We just hope his parents don’t “rush” him into anything. *Eye roll*
Before you go, check out what these celebrity moms have to say about being mom-shamed.
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