Living in a house full of boys can be quite the adventure! While they’re still quite young, there are no hidden magazines or sneaky access to adult sites—at least not yet. I wish I could believe that their curiosity about bodies and relationships would wait until they were older (preferably around 25), but I know that’s not realistic. Those moments are approaching faster than I’d like.
Before that curiosity kicks in—before they start noticing the unrealistic images of women in glossy magazines, with their perfectly rounded assets and flawless skin—I’m determined to show them a different version of femininity: my own body.
In our home, we embrace an open attitude toward bodies. While I don’t walk around completely unclothed, I do change clothes in front of them, leave the bathroom door open while I shower, and breastfeed my babies without a cover. I want them to understand what a real female body looks like.
If I don’t take this approach, and their first impressions of women’s bodies come from the unattainable figures they see in media, what kind of expectations will they carry into adulthood? What woman could possibly meet those standards?
I’m often disheartened by my post-baby body, but for my sons (and the future women in their lives), I project confidence. When they ask about my stretch marks, I proudly explain that they are reminders of the hard work it took to bring them into the world—like badges of honor. (Trust me, gaming references resonate with boys!)
Although I sometimes want to shy away when they poke my softer areas, I let them explore. Yes, I might want to shout “Don’t touch that!” and retreat to the nearest oversized shirt, but right now, my body is the only example of femininity they know. To them, it’s perfect, and that perception is so important.
I teach them that my body is strong. They see me exercising and making nutritious choices while still enjoying my favorite treats. Even if I have moments of doubt about my appearance or complain about tight jeans, I always remain proud in front of them.
Instilling a positive body image isn’t just for girls; it’s crucial for boys too. It’s about empowering them to feel good in their own skin while also appreciating the beauty in women as they are. I don’t want to mislead them into thinking that sagging skin or a little fluff is something to be ashamed of. Instead, I want them to recognize that these are the realities of life—not the digitally altered images they will inevitably encounter.
Sure, they’ll find themselves captivated by those perfect figures, but I hope they will always remember that those are not the standards for real women.
I know that a day will come when I’ll cover up more, and I’ll likely hear, “Mom, put some clothes on!” or they’ll finally learn to knock before entering the bathroom (which, honestly, sounds wonderful!). But for now, I cherish their innocent exploration of my stretch marks and their giggles at my jiggly bits.
In these formative years, I want to plant the seeds of acceptance, so when they’re older and their partners might lament about their bodies, my sons will confidently say, “You’re perfect just as you are.” And they’ll mean it.
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Summary:
In a house full of boys, I’m committed to teaching my sons about real female bodies by openly sharing my own. By embracing my post-baby body and instilling positive body image, I aim to shape their perceptions of femininity and help them appreciate women as they are.