Sometimes as parents we see a light bulb go off in our kid’s mind, and they just get it. These are some of my favorite moments in my journey of motherhood. Recently, things got switched around for us and my daughter said something that made a light bulb go off in my head about body positivity and raising girls.
On a Sunday before church a few weeks ago, Keilyn was watching me do my makeup which she does regularly. She loves to ask questions about the colors and how to blend eye makeup. Playing dress up is one of our fa
vorite activities after all. I was beginning the process of “putting on my face” with foundation and Keilyn pipes up “Mama, why are you covering up your red dots?” I thought to myself because I don’t want the world to see all these red dots, but instead answered with a simple “because that is what foundation is for.” Quickly she responded, “Well, I don’t like this foundation stuff because your red dots are pretty!” I laughed a little and told her thank you.
This small incident made me start thinking ab
out how we as mothers talk and share with our daughters. My insecurities of my face, skin tone or weight are my issues, but I don’t ever want those to be passed on to my daughter. I began to process how I communicate with my daughter about my body because I know she is listening.
The next day when doing my makeup, I skipped that “foundation stuff” and we both played with eye shadow and mixing colors – we rocked it! Now, this isn’t about never wearing foundation or an anti-makeup post by any means, but I do mean to remind us all that our thoughts about our own bodies become internalized within our daughters (and sons) whether we realize it or not.
I want to empower my daughter to have confidence on the inside that she gets not from the world around her. I want my voice about my body to be a reminder to Keilyn that our bodies are perfect how they are. We were only given one body and we need to love and care for it … never hate it. Keilyn is a strong, funny, and charming girl who will add a little color and sparkle to our world. She is perfect exactly how she is, and I hope I can help her remember that for many years to come.
So remember Mamas, we have little people watching us. How we talk about ourselves and our bodies, how we respond to things in the world around us, and even what we say to them. Let us come together and fill our kids with love for themselves. Imagine if our next generation did not have to fight the battles of insecurities that we have – how different would this world be? Let us show love to our kids so they can go out into the world and show love to others!
