The complexity of our bodies and the pressure that we put on ourselves is exhausting. We have reached a stage, where, be it the thinnest or fattest, curvy or athletic, tall or short, dusky or fair- we are just not happy with ourselves. The definition of looking good and perfect is to each their own and when that is the case, how are we supposed to teach our kids, the future generation, to be happy with themselves?
In a generation where kids aged 5 and 6 years old have their own sparties i.e. spa parties and 12-13 year olds are coloring their hair and following a fashion and beauty routine- how am I supposed to tell my 9 year old daughter that looks don’t matter? The fact is, it does. It may sound shallow but the way a person looks, dresses up, talks and behaves is everything. It reflects your personality, your upbringing and social class. While it is easier said than done to never judge a book by its cover, that’s exactly what we do, everyday of our lives. When we pass a stranger on the road, talk to someone, make a new friend- we instantly and mentally categorize them.
When this is the case with us, grown and mature adults, I don’t know how to explain to my daughter that looks and social strata don’t matter. It does. As forthcoming and warmly welcoming as I may be, I will still draw a line on not letting my daughter play with street kids or even mingle with my maid’s kids on a regular basis. This may make me sound elitist but unfortunately, the truth is, the class, family upbringing and the school they go to and the conversations they have matters.
Yet, on the other hand, I still don’t want my daughter to discriminate between classes and social stratas and consider herself superior to others. The best thing to do in this case is to sit down and have an honest conversation with them, teach your kids what’s acceptable and what’s not, what’s right and wrong and how every person, no matter who and what they are, deserve a smile, an acknowledgment and to be spoken with respect.
Whereas, for truly being happy with the way you are, the introspection needs to come from within. When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you see a happy and secure person, comfortable and confident with their own skin or an insecure, nitpicking person? The answer to this, will define the way your children will look at themselves too.
Being A Girl Mom 