Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Boob Jobs & Other Renovations
We spent last year renovating our house. Countless hours and dollars were spent to make our home just the way we wanted it. A process I wasn't sure I'd survive, but the end result has been more than satisfying. Turns out, the previous two sentences are applicable in more than one scenario.
I have hot Mama friends. Seriously. These ladies are beautiful, confident, and inspiring. Like any woman balancing her own life with that of her family's, they need to be reminded of these things. Three women of this particular group did a little something extra for themselves this past year. One opted for rhinoplasty, one for Botox, and one had her breasts augmented.
Now, I would have traded my body for anyone of theirs in a sleeping baby minute. But rather than dreaming about self improvement, as seems to be my new favorite pastime, they did something about it. That's kick ass!
As I wallow in baby-toddler body dissatisfaction, these ladies looked it square in the eye and said enough. I admire that. Grown women doing something to make themselves even more confident and happy. Ain't nothin' better. What I don't agree with is passing on the idea that this is the right choice for everyone, including our daughters.
Enter Sarah Burge. Sarah is world famous for having over 100 procedures done, and spending an estimated one million dollars to make herself into the 'human Barbie'. Sarah has her own reasons for doing what she has, but when you give your 7 year old daughter a gift certificate for liposuction and a boob job, well, that's something else entirely.
I understand that Sarah is a Mama, making choices she feels are right for her daughter. No different than the rest of us. But what are these gifts relaying to her daughter?
I spend an inordinate amount of time teaching my eldest daughter that the definition of beauty starts with kindness, intelligence, a smile, generosity, confidence, and somewhere down the line, prettiness. During her 4 year old interview, I asked Ella what were 3 words to describe herself. And she answered, in this order, 'smart, beautiful, and snuggly'. That was a proud Mama moment for me.
So what do you think Dirties? Harmful or helpful? Would it matter if Poppy was 7 or 17?
Shake a leg (or a boob), and let me know your thoughts.
Cheers Dirties
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2 comments:
As one of your friends who opted to improve something about my body that I hated, you already know my opinion on plastic surgery:) I do agree however about the importance of raising children with healthy self-esteem. My choice to alter my body was the desire to recapture what I once had before the unfortunate side- effects of pregnancy and breast-feeding made me hate looking at myself in the mirror. I have reclaimed my self-esteem and that's a good thing in my opinion. My children will never hear me complain about my body or say that I hate a part of it. How we feel about our own bodies has a direct impact on how our children will learn to see their own. If we want to do our daughters a favor we should model healthy self-esteem and sit down with them when they are absorbed in Disney princess fairy tales and explain that those are not necessarily good portrayals of women and relationships. I hate seeing helpless women needing to be "rescued" by the handsome prince which automatically leads to falling in love with this stranger and living happily ever after. Now that's an unhealthy message to send to our daughters!
Amazingly well said! Yet another reason you continue to rock! Muah!