I have been promising myself I would write my first blog post for well, months now. And, of course, I choose now. Now, when I have a million things I should be doing. There is just something that has been weighing on my mind for a long time and I just NEED to write about it. I am a photographer, I interact with parents and their children every day. I am a mother, I interact with my own children every day. I am an aunt, a neighbor, a classroom volunteer – you get the point, I have a LOT of interaction with children. And you know what I notice most? How much kids look up to the adults around them. I have always been very cognizant about the way I act around my children. Since everyone knows, children do what you do, not what you say. Right? Well, I thought everyone knew that. I have been absolutely shocked to see how many mothers and other female influencers talk badly about themselves in front of their children. “My thighs are huge, no dessert for me.” It seriously boggles my mind. “Can you edit out my double chin?” It is so very important to love ourselves, so our kids can love themselves. Every imperfect inch of ourselves. How can we teach our kids to be confident individuals, when we are not confident? How can we teach them to be proud of themselves, when we are not proud? I don’t want my daughters wearing t-shirts and shorts in the pool because they are ashamed of their bodies. I don’t want them eating sugar-free crap, because they think it will keep them from getting fat. I don’t want them comparing themselves to other girls who they think are prettier or skinnier. I don’t want them doing all these things, so you know what I do? I don’t do those things. I eat everything in moderation – no diets for me, I flaunt my cellulite-ridden ass at the pool, I CALL MYSELF PRETTY, and I never compare myself to anyone. The kids want to know why you exercise, the answer could be so many things other than, “Mommy needs to lose weight.” So many other things! You exercise to make your heart strong, you exercise because it’s fun, you exercise because you want to be able to run faster than they do, you want to get stronger – whatever. Anything other than, “because I want to be thin.” Same applies to food, “oh, I can’t eat that, it’ll go straight to my thighs.” A simple “no, thanks” will suffice. I could go on and on and on about this subject, but I get super sloppy and illiterate when I get long-winded, so I’ll wrap it up with this: it’s been proven by many psychologists, psychiatrists, scientists – all the smarty-pants researchers – that YOU are your children’s number one influencer. Influence them to love themselves by loving yourself.
Photo credit: Jessica Vaughn Photography
Raw Sugar Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, child, family, couples and engagement photography in Indianapolis, Indiana and surrounding areas including but not limited to Fishers and Carmel.
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