Strollerderby

Pingback from  Cosmetic Surgery » Why Do Moms Have To Look Like They Never Had Babies?

I largely attribute the craze to celebrities - Angelina et al. - who have access to trainers, chefs and nannies and can reasonably lose 40 lbs in a couple of months not to mention their access to discreet plastic surgery services (along with plenty of income to support a tummy tuck/boob job/whatever.)  As a regular mom whose body has been irrevocably "damaged" (hah) by four pregnancies I am curious if men actually desire their female partners to tuck/lift/augment or if this is really just a woman thing.  Many of us learn as early as Jr. High that we mainly do our hair and dress well to impress (threaten) other girls/women.  Boys/men pretty much love us in sweats and ponytails...  This trend is disheartening to be sure.

Well, first we (the regular people, the media, the celebrities..)insisted that all mothers had to be perfect by providing a big list of what "good mommies" do and don't do.

Don't complain about your kids, do make sure you feed them all-organic, sign them up for all the right classes, don't work (or do work, depending on who you listen to) and make sure, to paraphrase, to never let them see you sweat. Super Mommy!

When we got into the whole "work or not work" in a big way,  everyone got all judgemental about that - why? because the subject has been used to make women (in particular) feel somewhat uncertain - given that everyone wants to be a good mother. And uncertainty often breeds competitiveness. MY WAY IS RIGHT and YOURS IS WRONG.  So we all turned against each other.

Now that everyone is worked up about all of that, it's time to move on to something else that makes mothers feel inadequate: their imperfect bodies.

We've f'd them all up psychologically so let's f'em up physically too and make them feel shitty about not being perfect in THAT way, either.

A to the fucking men, sister! You are right right on....

Pingback from  Smells Like Complacency...

I blame a society that ties in self worth with beauty.  Carmen Electra writes a book on how to be sexy and markets it as the solution to all your relationship troubles.  Celebs like Kate Hudson half starve themselves to lose the weight so they can get the coveted role.  And yes, the whole MILF thing does play into it.  We've been told that becoming a mother doesn't mean you stop being a desirable woman, but it has gone too far.  I agree with BBBGMom, it's something women have done to themselves.  Two kids and many childbearing scars later, my husband still can't keep his hands off me.

This is why I ironically called my blog "Übermilf."  We have no worth unless we're "do-able?"  And we're only "do-able" if we have a certain body type?  Who decides these things and why does anyone put up with it?

I believe in eating right, and getting proper exercise, and taking care of my health.  After that, the chips fall where they may.

To undergo this surgery to erase the "stigma"(!) of motherhood smacks of self-loathing and lack of respect.

This is so totally the latest Madonna/Malinche pinche-ismo. One counter movement inteding to get at something truly important is BOLD, and organization/movement working to get the childbirthing healthcare crisis in America the attention it needs. I've not personally participated, but as a mom who had an unplanned ceserean am very intrigued--www.birthonlaborday.com.

Pingback from  FitnessFixation.com  » Blog Archive   » Hey Shorty

I love reading this stuff, because as a woman that is about to venture into the wonderful world of motherhood, I am excited and of course frightened about, well everything!  I will say however, that as a 37 year old, first time mom, I am mainly concerned about the health issues.  of course i say that now right, but i have waited for this day so i feel that of course there'll be stretch marks, bigger boobs and all kinds of new things happening to the body.  But that doesn't take away from the fact that my only wish is for a healthy pregnancy and of course a healthy little one.  you're great, thanks for the fab writing...now go get some zzzz's

I see my stretch marks as medals from God.  He gave them to me because I carried His treasured children and wanted me to remember that gift of love.