Read your comment first and thought to myself “couldn’t agree more” then I saw it was you who said it and I stand corrected, I agree MORE than 3 seconds ago 😂
That particular "f" word only has the power we give it. We've been told that fat is bad, ugly, lazy, unhealthy, and thin is good, beautiful, healthy, and deserves praise. This is so flawed. Thin can be unhealthy just like fat can be healthy. I don't think the word is as bad as the connotations we attach to it. I have taught my kids to love their bodies just as they are, no matter the size or shape. We focus on healthy food, exercise, and things we can control. Your baby will be just fine because he is deeply loved and feels safe at home. That matters.
Always appreciate your thoughts Janine. Flawed indeed is right. Health does not look a certain way. I'm realizing how easy it is to pass on poor connotations from parent to child. Something to always be aware of.
For sure. My husband and I have both struggled with body image over the years and have been very intentional with trying not to pass our crap into our kids.
You have captured so perfectly one of the hardest challenges of parenting - when the outside world starts influencing your child, teaching them words to use about themselves and others, changing the way they see themselves. I was so intent upon not criticizing my own body in front of my daughter. Women are so conditioned to want to be smaller that my slender son's struggles were not immediately apparent to me. The locker room admonition to "eat a sandwich, kid" haunted him but it took me too long to understand how being skinny could possibly be bad. Like you, those experiences sent him to the gym with a mission. Not a negative thing, but still I'll always regret not understanding sooner what he was dealing with. And then menopause came along for me with the shock of a new body and suddenly I had broken all my rules about negative body talk in front of my daughter. This is such hard stuff. And you're right, it starts way too early and it doesn't end. I'm still working at all this body image stuff with kids who are 20 and 23. We're still having conversations about it, which is both sad and really great. Like so much of parenting, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Thanks, as ever, for shining a light on the important stuff.
Tara, I appreciate you sharing your experiences. Who knew it would start so early? For me, while writing this i was triggered when I first felt like this. I’m learning though how lucky I am to be aware of this early on. How this could be an error of growth for us both now instead of when he’s a lot older. It sounds like even though our kids have a 20 year difference, the problem although appears difference is really the same. We can all use someone telling us how beautiful we are. Always appreciate your warm comments.
When my daughter was fiveish, the church we attended had a kids’ story before the sermon, and all the little kids would go to the front of the church and listen to the storyteller.
I don’t remember the story and I don’t remember the question asked, but my daughter’s answer to the question was “I like to sleep with boys.”
I can't love this enough. I was holding my breath, waiting to see what your ultimate reaction would be. Did I mention that I can't love this enough? Good job, daddy. You're a star.
Marc, your post didn't prepare me for that awful F word. I thought it would be the four letter kind, and not the three. I was waiting to chuckle, and then felt so sad about the introduction to body shaming.
No, not too many GIFs, and I can't think of anything I want to share right now. But thanks for a great post.
Cookies is really a right of passage lmao. Shoutout to Myles’ parents for being the change because a lot of first times hearing/repeating/believing that are at home. Loved this, per usual 🤍 & never too many gifs!!!
I didn’t even check to see if it was still there haha! Where else did kids get their uniform from? When Dickies were popular I started going to VIMS 😂 thanks for reading fam ❤️
Marc, I love the way you’re raising your son and caring for your younger self. It seems to me you exemplify be the change you want to see in the world. And that’s no small thing.
Damn, I came in here ready to laugh, very clever bait and switch with the title. And very meaningful work here as always. Thanks on Myles' behalf for being so in touch with every part of his young experience. You guys are doing amazing jobs.
kk, Just finished reading in total, great job Marc, this is beautiful, just wait till he starts calling you bruhhh, or saying what the helly,, or give me some v-bucks! lol...
The GIFs are just fine dw. And I've been calling myself fat ever since I gained 12+ kg out of nowhere three months ago. I haven't been able to fit into most of my clothes since and this isn't the first time I'm having body issues either. Anyways, this post really struck something within me. I hope Myles grows up to love himself and not end up like me despite what other people may say or do <3
Maverique, I appreciate you sharing that so openly. I’m grateful for you reading. Regardless, I hope Myles is able to share how he feels vulnerably with people. So in a sense, I hope he turns out just like you ❤️
@Jamal Robinson did but you ain’t hear that from me
lol I’m afraid you’re right haha
First, this was a beautiful piece.
Second, y’all might have had me if it was a different f-word lol
😂 love yall for real
Read your comment first and thought to myself “couldn’t agree more” then I saw it was you who said it and I stand corrected, I agree MORE than 3 seconds ago 😂
Loved this letter!!
. My brother in law cursed. And he cursed in front of his baby girl.
My sister warned him. His mother warned him. I certainly warned him.
You do not want to teach that child those words.
In those days I had a long commute and I worked long hours so I mainly saw them on weekends.
But one night, I was able to make it for dinner.
And I am telling a funny story about "how this damn idiot at work..."
And from someone's high chair, I hear my 15 month old niece say "Damn!"
So I taught my niece her first curse word while her father's constant profanity sailed right over her head.
🤦🤣🤣🤣
No, he DID NOT let me live it down.
That particular "f" word only has the power we give it. We've been told that fat is bad, ugly, lazy, unhealthy, and thin is good, beautiful, healthy, and deserves praise. This is so flawed. Thin can be unhealthy just like fat can be healthy. I don't think the word is as bad as the connotations we attach to it. I have taught my kids to love their bodies just as they are, no matter the size or shape. We focus on healthy food, exercise, and things we can control. Your baby will be just fine because he is deeply loved and feels safe at home. That matters.
Always appreciate your thoughts Janine. Flawed indeed is right. Health does not look a certain way. I'm realizing how easy it is to pass on poor connotations from parent to child. Something to always be aware of.
For sure. My husband and I have both struggled with body image over the years and have been very intentional with trying not to pass our crap into our kids.
You have captured so perfectly one of the hardest challenges of parenting - when the outside world starts influencing your child, teaching them words to use about themselves and others, changing the way they see themselves. I was so intent upon not criticizing my own body in front of my daughter. Women are so conditioned to want to be smaller that my slender son's struggles were not immediately apparent to me. The locker room admonition to "eat a sandwich, kid" haunted him but it took me too long to understand how being skinny could possibly be bad. Like you, those experiences sent him to the gym with a mission. Not a negative thing, but still I'll always regret not understanding sooner what he was dealing with. And then menopause came along for me with the shock of a new body and suddenly I had broken all my rules about negative body talk in front of my daughter. This is such hard stuff. And you're right, it starts way too early and it doesn't end. I'm still working at all this body image stuff with kids who are 20 and 23. We're still having conversations about it, which is both sad and really great. Like so much of parenting, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Thanks, as ever, for shining a light on the important stuff.
Tara, I appreciate you sharing your experiences. Who knew it would start so early? For me, while writing this i was triggered when I first felt like this. I’m learning though how lucky I am to be aware of this early on. How this could be an error of growth for us both now instead of when he’s a lot older. It sounds like even though our kids have a 20 year difference, the problem although appears difference is really the same. We can all use someone telling us how beautiful we are. Always appreciate your warm comments.
When my daughter was fiveish, the church we attended had a kids’ story before the sermon, and all the little kids would go to the front of the church and listen to the storyteller.
I don’t remember the story and I don’t remember the question asked, but my daughter’s answer to the question was “I like to sleep with boys.”
That’s when I bought my first shotgun.
The way I busted out laughing! 😂such a Switter comment ❤️
I'm not a parent, however, I will say that you're doing so well<3. secondly, there's never too many gifs!! They are FIRE.
Haha appreciate you so much fam. I feel like they help break up structure but also help keep things light when it’s serious.
I can't love this enough. I was holding my breath, waiting to see what your ultimate reaction would be. Did I mention that I can't love this enough? Good job, daddy. You're a star.
Thank you so much Donna! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
In New Orleans they say fine. And they say it to my grandson a lot! :)
Marc, your post didn't prepare me for that awful F word. I thought it would be the four letter kind, and not the three. I was waiting to chuckle, and then felt so sad about the introduction to body shaming.
No, not too many GIFs, and I can't think of anything I want to share right now. But thanks for a great post.
Diana, as always. Thank you. You letting me know you’ve read means a lot. I appreciate you.
Thanks, Marc. And I appreciate what you do and how you share your experiences in your writing.
Cookies is really a right of passage lmao. Shoutout to Myles’ parents for being the change because a lot of first times hearing/repeating/believing that are at home. Loved this, per usual 🤍 & never too many gifs!!!
I didn’t even check to see if it was still there haha! Where else did kids get their uniform from? When Dickies were popular I started going to VIMS 😂 thanks for reading fam ❤️
Loved this piece! I was cackling and crying and raging…..the gifs were perfect.
Thank you Aunty!!
This is genius! I haven’t read the whole thing yet, but I will tomorrow, and I’ll restack now
Marc, I love the way you’re raising your son and caring for your younger self. It seems to me you exemplify be the change you want to see in the world. And that’s no small thing.
Holly, we are doing our very best. Thank you so much!
Damn, I came in here ready to laugh, very clever bait and switch with the title. And very meaningful work here as always. Thanks on Myles' behalf for being so in touch with every part of his young experience. You guys are doing amazing jobs.
Appreciate you family, you reading keep me going. Sorry not sorry for the click bait 😂 hope you are doing well!
kk, Just finished reading in total, great job Marc, this is beautiful, just wait till he starts calling you bruhhh, or saying what the helly,, or give me some v-bucks! lol...
Please! No v- bucks lol I hope that phase is gone when he’s old enough !
The GIFs are just fine dw. And I've been calling myself fat ever since I gained 12+ kg out of nowhere three months ago. I haven't been able to fit into most of my clothes since and this isn't the first time I'm having body issues either. Anyways, this post really struck something within me. I hope Myles grows up to love himself and not end up like me despite what other people may say or do <3
Maverique, I appreciate you sharing that so openly. I’m grateful for you reading. Regardless, I hope Myles is able to share how he feels vulnerably with people. So in a sense, I hope he turns out just like you ❤️