“So my son didn’t ask me why I was fat or anything. But one time we were going to the store and I had a tank top on. Something I NEVER wear without something over it. (I HATE my arms)..
I had my jacket next to me though in the passenger seat. But we pulled up to the store and we were getting out and my son asked if I was going to put my jacket on. It kinda stopped me in my tracks. I was like wait why?
He wouldn’t answer. I kept pressing him and he finally started to cry. I made him get in the front seat and held him and asked why he was crying and what was wrong. He tearfully said “I don’t want people to laugh at you.” I was devastated in that moment. I knew exactly why my 5 year old son had that idea in his head.
Not because anyone ever had laughed. Or because he ever heard anyone put me down. EXCEPT ME. He overheard me on soooo many occasions I’m sure putting myself down. How I hated my arms and couldnt wait to get skin removal surgery. How I need a cover because I’m not going out in this.. etc.
He absorbed all my crap and now was sitting in tears concerned that people would be judging me like I do.
I talked to him about it before we went in. And I told him to watch… we got inside and I took my jacket off. Something I myself was sooo uncomfortable with. But I walked through the store like that. No one laughed. No one even looked.
I told him that everyone is different. And that’s ok. And do we laugh at other people? No.. That I may not like my arms but I love myself and he never has to worry about what others think. Not towards me. Not towards himself. Because I wanted him to know that even when someone does judge you it doesn’t matter. That you need to love yourself.
Was such a hard way to have to learn that lesson. That our babies are always listening even when we aren’t talking to them. They pick up on everything.”
This was in response to an article I shared from Plus Mommy. Glamour shared their story about her son asking her why she is so fat. Fantastic article from Jen McLellan:
Mommy, How Did You Get So Fat?
https://www.glamour.com/story/mommy-how-did-you-get-so-fat?
A big thank you to our follower who allowed me to share this. She asked me not to share her name, but I am so grateful to her for sharing.