Monday, October 5, 2009

Motherhood & Body Image: Illustrated in Women's Words




We asked mothers to tell us how they see themselves. These illustrations reflect their answers. The words we use to describe our own bodies have a direct impact on how our children learn to value their bodies. It is our responsibility to lay a positive foundation, to celebrate our strengths and treat ourselves with kindness and compassion. But when we speak the language of what we lack or what is "wrong" with us, our children will learn to speak that language, too. When we sigh, roll our eyes, and turn away from the mirror, there is no doubt that our children will absorb those lessons. Remember that we all have the power to stop the legacy of body hatred--one word at a time.

Related: "Pregnancy & Body Image: Illustrated in Women's Words"

Illustrations by Monica Martinez, from Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat? The Essential Guide to Loving Your Body Before and After Baby. Click on images to see them at full size.

2 comments:

Cintia Listenbee said...

wow. this makes me watch my words, which is a reflection on the content of my heart.

jennifer@jenniferwrites.ca said...

This is incredible. My mother criticized herself so often when my sister and I were little that we both grew up with the very same body issues.

As someone who wants to become a mother soon, I'm definitely going to watch what I say to myself and around others, especially my children.