And to that I reply, “Great! But do you say anything positive?”
Our children will hear everything we say – AND everything we do NOT say. Don’t we want to fill their tiny ears with body positive thoughts?
A few months ago, my daughter walked into my bathroom while I was changing. She playfully chanted, “I see your belly and belly button!”
I smiled back, “Isn’t my belly beautiful?” She grinned back at me.
It might feel silly or you might be lying through your teeth but setting that example for our kids is worth it – and necessary. I will also let you in on a little secret: positive affirmations work. So even if you don’t believe it, the more you say it out loud the more you WILL believe it.
We have a baby and instead of celebrating our miraculous bodies, we become obsessed with getting that ‘pre-baby’ body back. Guess what? You’re not going to get that body back. YOU. HAD. A. BABY. A tiny human. Your body is forever changed. And that is beautiful.
But I get it. The Mom Bod is REAL. And damn it is beautiful! My sides have stretch marks and my lower belly proudly parades the scar that gave my daughter, Marjorie, life. She was born at 27-weeks. My body went through the ringer – literally. As did hers.
My daughter was born at 1-pound, 15 ounces. Marjorie is a constant reminder of just how incredible and miraculous our bodies are. But somewhere in childhood we forget the extraordinary things our bodies can do and succumb to societal pressures and standards.
It has been nearly thirty years since I sat on the edge of my neighborhood pool hating my body. I don’t know what happened that day, but suddenly my world went from cool 90s flare bikinis to covering my precious belly. And I’ll be damned if I let that happen to my daughter.
I never want my daughter to sit on the edge of a pool feeling unworthy in her swimsuit. I don’t want my children to look around and compare their bodies to their peers. And while, I can’t protect my children from all of life’s hardships, I can certainly build them up. But I can’t simply tell them they are worthy and beautiful – I have to SHOW them.
My children’s self-esteem starts with my own, which starts with loving my mom bod. So whether your belly has rolls or your sides have funky scars or your boobs hit your knees like mine, toss on that swimsuit and live your LIFE. Remember that no one is looking, but your children are watching. By loving yourself you are giving your children the greatest love of all.
