Today, I found myself doing something I never thought I would: I weighed myself in front of my daughter, Lily. It was an impulsive act; I casually stepped onto the scale, and that’s when I caught her curious gaze fixed on me.
Before Lily was born, I was determined to shield her from my own struggles with body image. I envisioned a future where we would celebrate our bodies as powerful vessels that navigate life. I imagined using terms like “strong” and “capable,” steering clear of “thin” and “beautiful.” I aimed to break the cycle of body shame and demonstrate self-love, regardless of shape. However, life has a way of complicating the best intentions.
In the midst of sleepless nights, countless diaper changes, and endless laundry, I lost sight of my goals. Small comments slipped into my daily routine. “Mommy used to fit in these jeans,” I muttered while wrestling with a stubborn zipper. “Before you, sweet pea, I had a waist,” I’d remark as I rifled through a pile of oversized shirts. Unintentionally, I was teaching her that my body was something to dissect and critique.
This morning, as I stood on the scale, memories flooded back of past insecurities—like the time my college boyfriend criticized my weight. But then there were those innocent brown eyes watching me, reminding me of the love and acceptance that should prevail. To Lily, I’m perfect. My body, with its imperfections, is her safe haven; it nurtured her through those precious months of life. She doesn’t care about numbers or sizes; she sees me as her mom, and that’s enough.
And just as I see her—my child with a radiant smile and energetic legs—I recognize her journey of learning to navigate her own body. I want her to understand that while societal pressures exist, they do not define her worth. I promise to be candid with her about the world’s harsh judgments, especially towards women. I’ll explain that some individuals may reduce us to mere measurements or appearances. It’s crucial to know that anyone who objectifies women does not deserve our respect.
Instead, I will introduce her to a community of supportive individuals who uplift each other. This world is full of people who prioritize kindness, intelligence, and character over superficial judgments. Thankfully, we have many such role models in our lives.
Yes, I continue to grapple with societal standards that insist I’m too much of this or not enough of that. Ignoring these feelings won’t prepare Lily for her own experiences. So, I’m making a new commitment today: I will be honest. I’ll admit that even as a strong, capable woman, I still feel the weight of these expectations. But I will show her that true beauty emanates from kindness and strength, far more than any arbitrary scale measurement.
I might even let her see me take a sledgehammer to that scale one day.
For more enlightening discussions on body image and the journey to motherhood, you can explore resources like Women’s Health for valuable insights, and intracervicalinsemination.com for further engagement on related topics. Additionally, check out Make a Mom for expert advice on home insemination kits.
Summary
In this heartfelt reflection, Dr. Emily Hastings shares her journey of confronting body image struggles and the importance of honesty with her daughter. She emphasizes the need to redefine beauty beyond societal standards, focusing instead on strength, kindness, and self-acceptance.