“Mommy, why are you fat"”
A few months ago, I was walking through the plus-size clothing section of Target with my six-year-old. She was pointing out dresses and tops she thought I should buy, all bright colors and prints, when suddenly she asked, “Mommy, why are you fat"”
I’ve been an outspoken advocate for size-acceptance for a long time, and over the last couple of years have started using the word ?fat? as a descriptor rather than a judgment?an adjective, just like ?short? or ?purple? or ?fuzzy.? In our house, the ?f? word isn’t off-limits or rude, so my daughter didn?t think twice about saying it. Still, I held my breath for a moment and looked around. Had any other customers heard and been offended" Or worse, hurt" The word ?fat? isn?t negative to me but that doesn?t mean it couldn?t wound someone else. There was only one other woman browsing the racks, and she seemed to be in her own little world, so I turned my attention back to my daughter and took a moment to think. The answer was tougher to come up with than I expected. In the three years since I put on a significant amount of weight, no one has ever asked me that question. I didn?t want to say the wrong thing. I knew firsthand what a powerful effect a mother?s words can have. My mom was frightened of my bountiful body shape from the day I was born. I looked so different from the tall, lanky people on her side of the family, and she was afraid I?d get fat. To her?a woman who grew up being praised alm...
-------------------------------- |
|
Leighton Park School Stages Their Very Own Student Election
03-05-2024 08:25 - (
moms )
Crate & Barrel Hampshire Cribs Recalled
30-04-2024 08:00 - (
moms )