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Jaden had the idea to give Bailia a shoulder ride-that worked out great. Then, Sis knew she could do the same to Jdog-it turns out it is not as easy as it looks-especially when you put a 76 pound boy onto a 58 pound girl!.jpg)
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As I looked through my pictures this morning of yesterday's swim, I sat and wondered if my daughter would grow up with the same distorted mind that I have. It made me sad to think that the answer is probably yes. I know that as a young girl we all had media thrown in our face at every angle, that was nothing compared to what our children hear and see now on a daily basis. I looked at a few pictures that Bailia and Koda took of me and thought what is wrong with me? It took a lot for me to post a picture of myself in a swim suit (which is why it is a SMALL picture), but I needed to be able to look back and say What was I thinking!?! Seeing myself in a swim suit in front of the mirror I want to put a cover-up dress on instantly. Then looking at the pictures that the kids took I ask myself why I have such a distorted view of myself. I don't look that bad! My body actually looks better now than it did in high school-well if you take away the stretch marks and sagging butt that my kids generously gave me! LOL! But in the mirror I don't see it that way. Why?
My wish for my daughter, and all girls, is to not to be so hard on themselves. Be who you are, LOVE who you are! Be healthy, be strong, be kind, be loving, be giving, and you will always be BEAUTIFUL! I am going to try to live by my own advice, and start seeing myself in a different light. I need to be that example to my kids showing them that being happy with who you are is SO important!
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The new school year starts in 15 days! What? Did I hear that right, school starts in TWO weeks?!? It will be a bittersweet time. I THRIVE on structure. During the school year I like the routine that we stick by-every day the kids know what we are doing. But at the same time, this summer has been WONDERFUL! We haven't gone on a vacation to exotic lands, and sipped pina coladas on white sandy beaches. But we have had an amazing ride this summer doing MANY things, that will not be possible during the school year. I hope my kids have had as much fun as I have, and will have memories to last a lifetime!
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2 comments:
Great post! For some reason, it is tougher for women to love and accept themselves. Definitely one of my struggles.
I loved this post! "Best stroke" cracked me up.
I wanted to say that I think it's awesome that you're open about the insecurities you have as a woman, b/c everyone has them. I have always been afraid to have a daughter for the reasons you listed about the media, etc. But now for my career I'm planning to help girls build good self-esteem, most specifically with girls with eating disorders, depression, etc. Today girls are starting to diet by age 8 in a lot of cases. In the research I've done so far it is really clear that the main thing that causes girls to develop these crippling insecurities is when they hear a lot of talk about weight, looks, diet, celebrities looks, gossip about friends' weight/looks, etc. But it's that MIXED with lack of love and support in the home... you seem like you love to encourage your kids to do whatever makes them happy and they know they have you always. I'm sure Bailia will be just fine because she lives in an emotionally healthy environment, but you are right about example!! Lots of people think girls get that way from the mom down-talking the girls themselves, but it's actually when the mom comments on herself and her own problems a lot. The kids can pick up on it... so it's great you're recognizing that and working on it. Sorry, this was not meant as a lecture or anything- I'm just super interested in the topic and happen to be reading a lot about it now.
And by the way, I know people tell you this all the time, but you look GREAT and 30 years from now you will look back and wonder why you didn't take more pics of yourself in a bathing suit when your body was at its best! Keep it up!!
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