In general, I really like the message these Dove commercial deliver. I got all teared up when I watched this. Its a powerful message and one that I dont think is lost on parents... the things we say and our behaviors are being soaked up by these little sponges we call our children. I have to say though, I wish this commercial included young boys and their mothers as well. As a mom of a young boy, I make a concerted effort to not use negative language or point out the things about myself that I find less than desirable. It also takes much effort, when my husband compliments me or says Im beautiful today, not to bow my head and say, whatever or youre just being nice. When I shy away from a compliment, what is that teaching him? I am extremely self conscious and beat myself up all the time about my post-baby, food-loving body, but the LAST thing I want is for my son to see me doing anything but loving myself. Why? Because I dont want him to do anything but love HIMSELF. I want him to know that we are all different and imperfect and these differences and imperfections are to be cherished and celebrated. I also want him to grow up to be the kind of man who appreciates the women (and men) in his life and sees the beauty in what makes them different. To be vocal about his praise and let others know why he appreciates them so. We discuss what makes him and his friends beautiful and the first thing on the list isnt ever she has a perfect face or her beautiful blond hair, but he makes me laugh or she runs really fast. When I asked him last week what he likes about himself he told me his big head and when I asked him why, he said, because that means theres a big brain in there! Hes 5, hes perfectly imperfect... and so am I and so are you. So, tonight when I hop out of the shower after Dexter is asleep for the night, instead of avoiding the mirror, I think Ill drop the towel and take a good long look. Ill look at my hips and appreciate how long they cradled a growing life inside me. Ill look at the lines forming between my brows or corners of my mouth and appreciate how they formed because of my expressive face, the face Dexter inherited from me. Ill look at that crooked tooth behind my lips and laugh about how I threw away my napkin wrapped retainer after lunch with my friend Tiffany all those years ago. And the next time Dexter tells me he thinks Im beautiful, Ill give him a squeeze, say thank you, tell him how wonderful his kind words make me feel and then repeat them to myself until I believe them too.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 21:16:11 +0000
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