I raised a daughter on my own. I have nieces. I spent a lot of time getting my daughter as a young girl (too young if you ask me) to be healthy, physically and mentally and to not focus on what society thinks she should be. Body acceptance. Self love. Self respect. Boundaries. It was almost a daily conversation that took place in many forms.
Today I have a daughter who is 26 and radiates strength and beauty from the inside out. She is strong, confident and fiercely independent like her mom :) For me, it has always been important to be a role model for my kids. Despite my weight (I am not a size 6) I never once bashed my image of myself to my child(ren), never asked does this make my ass look fat to an impressionable child. Never. I never offered up self doubt, even when I struggled with it quietly. Self doubt is a learned trait. Doesn't matter who is teaching it, but if you don't want your children to hear and accept those messages, be louder, be bigger and be stronger.
I did my best to lead the path to emotional freedom. We managed her teen years fairly unscathed when it came to image pressure, but she was raised in a family full of feminists, strong and independent women. The odds were definitely on her side.
Today I am also proud of the acceptance for Ashely Graham. I have been following this on social media and many news outlets and I can say the majority of men have been wonderfully supportive and in truth appear to be in awe (and lust) over her confidence, curves and beauty. ( I think I also see a sense of relief, almost with an underlying message of 'it's about time'.) Women, unfortunately, seem to be the majority of the ones Ashely and likes, will continue to have to battle. Sad really. I've always said 'men aren't our biggest critics, other women along with our inner self, judge the hardest.'
From one woman to all women, you have my vote!
“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.” ~ Steve Maraboli
lol, that Ross is a wise man. He sees this topic hides many potential land mines so he just winks and nods.