What Meghan Markle’s ‘Cringe’ Disneyland Moment Teaches Us About Embracing Imperfect Family Planning
Let’s be real: who hasn’t had a ‘cringe’ family moment?
This week, the internet spent precisely five minutes (which, by 2025 standards, is an eternity) collectively clutching its pearls over Meghan Markle’s latest Instagram post—a Disneyland family adventure complete with a “cringe” pregnancy dance. Cue the backlash. Cue the think pieces. Cue someone’s great-aunt on Facebook weighing in with, "Why can’t they just be normal?"
But here’s the thing: on the road to parenthood—especially the at-home, DIY, ‘don’t-mind-me-I’m-in-the-bathroom-with-a-specimen-cup’ type—cringe is the name of the game. If you’re feeling awkward, uncertain, or just plain goofy on your fertility journey, congratulations, you’re already winning. And, as Meghan unwittingly showed us, sometimes your most vulnerable, imperfect moments are the ones that end up mattering most.
The Myth of the Perfect Family Photo (And the Perfect Fertility Journey)
Let’s set the scene. You’re at Disneyland, wrangling kids, churros, and an existential dread about how many times you’ll have to ride ‘It’s a Small World.’
Suddenly, someone breaks out into an impromptu “pregnancy dance.” Is it awkward? Sure. Will you remember the flawless Facebook pose, or will you look back at that goofy moment years later and cackle? (You already know the answer.)
It’s the same with growing your family. So many of us scroll through picture-perfect fertility ‘success stories’—the influencer with the pastel nursery, the gleaming smile, the flower crown. No one posts about the messy, frustrating, or tearful nights, or how much the process feels like a cross between a science experiment and a sitcom.
But if Meghan Markle can survive a viral ‘cringe’ dance moment, so can you. And you might just find unexpected beauty in the chaos.
Real Talk: At-Home Fertility Is Awkward—And That’s OK
If you’re considering at-home insemination, you’re about to discover new realms of intimacy, vulnerability, and, yes, awkwardness:
- Reading instructions while holding a pipette in one hand and your dignity in the other.
- Learning more about ovulation than you ever learned in high school biology.
- Having deeply unsexy but absolutely hilarious conversations with your partner (or, for some, your best friend on FaceTime).
But here’s the kicker: those moments are real. They’re the foundation of the family stories you’ll one day roll your eyes about—and secretly cherish.
Why Awkwardness Is the Fertility Superpower No One Told You About
Here’s a plot twist: embracing the mess, the cringe, the uncertainty—that’s the secret to surviving (and even thriving) on your fertility journey. When you drop the pressure to be perfect, you can actually have a little fun along the way.
Letting yourself be vulnerable opens space for connection. Whether you’re doing the insemination dance solo, with a partner, or even with a supportive friend group, honesty beats perfection every time. It’s also how you’ll spot the joy hiding in those mortifying moments—the same way Meghan’s goofy video got the world talking (and, secretly, smiling).
Finding a Safe Space for Imperfection
If you’re looking for tools that get this ethos, you’re not alone. One reason so many at-home inseminators flock to resources like MakeAMom’s guides and kits is that they’re built for real people facing real challenges (and yes, real awkwardness!). From discreet, unmarked packaging (so the mail carrier isn’t in your business) to kits designed for different bodies and comfort levels, the focus is on making the journey work for you, not the other way around.
No one expects you to be Meghan Markle, but hey—if you find yourself twirling in the living room mid-ovulation window, you’re in good company. The MakeAMom community reports a success rate of 67%—not because anyone was flawless, but because real people showed up, tried, and often laughed along the way.
Your Turn: Embrace Your Inner Awkwardness
So, what do Meghan’s Disneyland moments and your at-home fertility journey have in common? Both remind us that the road to family is full of weird, silly, sometimes uncomfortable moments—and that’s where the magic happens.
Instead of running from the cringe, own it. Document the weirdness. Tell your story. Dance (pregnant, trying, or just because).
After all, the internet might judge, but your future family will thank you for the memories.
Ready to start your own perfectly imperfect journey? Have you had an awkward fertility moment you’d dare to share? Let’s make ‘cringe’ the new cool—drop your story in the comments! And if you need practical (and refreshingly real) guidance, check out MakeAMom’s resources and community to support you, every step—and dance—of the way.
Oh, and Meghan? We’re totally here for the next viral dance.