What Is Beautiful?

The media is constantly publishing articles on what a “beautiful woman” is. She is usually really thin, wearing alot of make-up and has obviously never had a child. Most of it is moderately offensive- and for some reason it requires us to be wearing a lace bra and thong.

I can say that I would love to look like I did at 23 years old with my boobs and butt up to here and flat stomach, not to mention the boundless energy and ability to wear shoes other then flip flops or sneakers. What I can'’t say is that I regret having a child even though my boobs are now down to there and stomach is no where close to flat and will probably never know what it is to flat ever again. I have felt that my success as a mother is somehow measured by what I look like also. Look at all those celebrities who after 3 weeks have their old body back. I mean, I know we can all SO afford a personal trainer, pilates instructor, chef and stylist-not to mention that we also have so much time to indulge ourselves. It is so ridiculous and this is NOT most of our realities.

A beautiful woman- in my opinion- is not the stereotypical image we have all been led to believe in. She does not spend 4 hours a day at the gym, eat 1200 calories a day, and have perfect hair and nails. She is that one you see walking down the street with a baby in a stroller and toddler walking at her side. She has managed to brush her hair, she ISN'”T wearing sweatpants and her toddler actually listens to her. She doesn’'t have a particular shape- small or large but she is comfortable in her skin and she is just happy with who she is and where she fits in this universe. She is loving to her kids, nice to people around her and when she smiles, she radiates. That is what I would hope to be. I think that our kids think we are beautiful no matter what, so maybe we should just revel in this? Last night I had lipstick on- a rare occasion- and I asked my 2 1/2 year old if she liked it and if I looked pretty with it. She cocked her head to the side, looked at me for a moment in thought and said definitively "“No".”
I think our kids must like us JUST as we are- so we should try to as well.…….

-SBH