A few weeks ago, while I was enjoying a storytime with my little ones, my five-year-old son snuggled up next to me and remarked on my “very squishy tummy.” I halted my reading, my mind racing with the implications of his innocent observation.
As a modern mother, I often tell myself that I should embrace my body as it is. I’ve read countless articles and engaged in discussions about fostering a positive body image, especially for my boys, so I felt the weight of responsibility to respond wisely. But in that moment, all my intentions seemed to evaporate. Instead of a teachable moment, I felt a surge of self-consciousness, as if a deep breath could somehow flatten those soft contours. I continued to read, my mind churning.
After this encounter, I realized I hadn’t taken a good look at my own feelings about body image in quite some time. At this stage in life, contemplating my appearance is way down on my priority list. Questions like, “Can I wear these jeans for a fifth day?” or “Is there enough milk for breakfast?” take precedence over any thoughts about how I look. Most days, I barely glance in the mirror.
Yet, my son’s innocent comment brought back a flood of insecurities I thought I had tucked away since becoming a mother. It wasn’t that I had overcome them; I had just postponed dealing with them. And when I confronted these insecurities, the feelings that arose were anything but positive—they stirred up feelings of inadequacy and self-criticism.
You may find yourself in a similar situation. How can I teach my children about a healthy body image when I still have my own struggles? The answer was right beside me: my children were here to teach me.
My son had actually tried to share a lesson during our reading time, which I completely overlooked. The word “squish” held a negative weight for me, but for him, it was a term filled with comfort and security. Let me reframe that moment: while reading with my three young children, my oldest son nestled close. As we turned the page of a beloved story, he sighed contently, expressing that my tummy was very squishy.
This was not a critique; it was a declaration of love and safety. To him, that softness represented home and the warmth of being enveloped by a mother who nurtured him into existence. He felt happiness in the way he could snuggle into me, and he voiced that joy.
Sometimes, it’s not about us imparting wisdom to our children about body image. Instead, we should learn from them. When we ask kids about bodies, we discover that they see them as vessels for play, love, and laughter. They view skin as soft and occasionally scraped, fingers and toes as tools for exploration, and arms as extensions to reach for their dreams. And yes, they see tummies as places for delicious food and joyous laughter, often best when they’re soft and squishy, especially those of their moms.
If you’re interested in learning more about navigating the journey of unexplained infertility, you can find helpful insights at this resource. Also, for those considering home insemination, our post on artificial insemination kits can provide further guidance. For comprehensive information on IVF, visit NHS, a fantastic resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, I learned that sometimes the best lessons come from the innocence of childhood. Our children can teach us to embrace our bodies with love and acceptance, reminding us that it’s the warmth of connection that truly matters.