Mom, I'm Fat

Thank you, Women’s Fund, for posting a link to a blog about a mom’s response to her daughter’s comment about being fat. The timing is perfect for me. I’m dealing with this very same issue with my 9-year-old daughter and it scares me to death.

My daughter told me two weeks ago she wanted to eat healthier – great. I didn’t think much of it. But when she was overheard telling her cousin that she wanted to go on a diet I panicked. I’m finding myself looking for new ways to tell her she’s beautiful, but she’s just brushing me off. This blog post, "Mom, I'm Fat:" One Mother's Inspired Response to Her 7 Year Old, (which by the way, has already received over 400 comments) helped me realize it can be as simple as being silly!

If you’re a mom, an aunt or even a grandma, I hope you’ll take the time to read this. The blog was well written and very relatable. I’m pretty sure I’ve told my daughter she’s ‘built just perfect – strong and healthy.’ And like this mom, it’s fallen on deaf ears. I’m pretty sure I’ve scoured the internet to find the perfect answer for questions like ‘mom, am I fat?’ And like this mom, I don’t have the answers yet, but I’m learning when moments like this happen, we have to trust our instincts and just be open, honest and genuine.

I appreciate Women’s Fund for bringing resources like this to its readers. I found this blog in particular to be a real inspiration. I don’t know necessarily that I’ll dance naked with my daughter, but I’ll certainly entertain the idea. Because like this mom’s daughter; I want mine to have bold confidence.
It’s tough being a mom and dealing with girl issues. And yes, I know at 9, there’s so much more that awaits us. Fortunately, Women’s Fund and some of the girl-serving agencies they support are incredible resources. I’ll be looking to them to help me make smart choices – or at least provide some ideas and information that may help.