All About That Bass . . . What Does That Even Mean??

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We've all heard the catchy tune and it's probably stuck in your head and has been for weeks (wait, is that just me?) Anyway, at first when I heard the song I got really excited because I heard phrases like, "every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top" or "You know I won't be no stick figure silicone barbie doll, so if that's what you're into then go ahead and move along." I mean, these lyrics are empowering and wonderful and strong! So at first I really bought into that message of the song. Love yourself. If someone thinks you're not good enough, tell them to take a hike because you're perfect how you are! YES! Plus it's catchy. Win, win, win.

But then the more I listened the more I realized that the song kinda doesn't actually say all of that. Disappointing. I know. With lyrics like "my momma she told me don't worry about your size," I'm thinking, I like where this is going, yeah, I'm dancing. And then she ends the sentence with "she says, 'boys like a little more booty to hold at night.'" Wait, what?! Did she just say that? So . . . the only reason we should like whatever "perfect" size we are is because boys like it? No! Don't agree! And then hearing about having "all that boom boom [whatever that is!] that all the boys chase and all the right junk in all the right places," I'm all of a sudden thinking that this isn't actually an awesome, empowering, body-loving song. And then I cry a little for the state of the world, but that's another topic for another day.

So, my question is this: why do we (as a society) think that the only reason for women to love our bodies is because it's what men/boys want?! Why do we have to sexualize women in any way at all? Hey little miss pop star, there is MORE to you than what a boy wants to chase or grab! I wish we could send messages to the world, and especially women, about loving yourself because you DESERVE it and not because you're something that is desirable or sexy or because you're an object.

All of this hopefully is making you take a second to really pay attention to the stuff we're hearing daily! Sure this song is incredibly catchy and fun, and dang do I sound good when I'm singing along to it in the car! But what are you hearing and starting to believe and what are our daughters/nieces/sisters hearing about where their value or beauty comes from?

By: Lauren Drean
Women's Services Intern ADSENSE HERE

Put On That Swimsuit!

You’ve got two choices every summer—to put on a swimsuit or to skip it.

I have a lot of friends who do the latter.

They go to the pool with their kids, but they only put their feet in the pool. They sit on the sidelines, too concerned about what they look like and what others will think to embrace the joy of swimming with their kids.

Or they go to the beach, but stay under the umbrella instead of running into the ocean.

And it makes me incredibly sad.

Because when women stay on the sidelines because of insecurity, we are modeling unhealthy behavior to our children and we are missing out.

Your swimsuit does not define you.

That soft tummy you are trying to hide? Has stretched and grown life.

Those thighs that have long lost their gap? Gave you the strength to carry that beach ball for 9 months, then walk with life hanging on your hips for years after.

You are a mother. You are beautiful.   

Read more at themomcreative.com/

Put on that Swimsuit

by jessicaturner on June 20, 2014

It’s been five years since I first wrote about putting on a swimsuit and going swimming with your kids, but I continue to receive emails and comments about that post. I decided it was time to revisit the topic – with some new and old thoughts.

You’ve got two choices every summer  – to put on a swimsuit or to skip it.

I have a lot of friends who do the latter.
They go to the pool with their kids, but they only put their feet in the pool. They sit on the sidelines, too concerned about what they look like and what others will think to embrace the joy of swimming with their kids.
Or they go to the beach, but stay under the umbrella instead of running into the ocean.
And it makes me incredibly sad.
Because when women stay on the sidelines because of insecurity, we are modeling unhealthy behavior to our children and we are missing out.
Your swimsuit does not define you.
That soft tummy you are trying to hide? Has stretched and grown life.
Those thighs that have long lost their gap? Gave you the strength to carry that beach ball for 9 months, then walk with life hanging on your hips for years after.
You are a mother. You are beautiful.
Don’t wear a veil of shame this summer. Put that swimming suit on.
When we went to the beach in April, I weighed a few pounds more than I wanted to. But you know what?
I put my swimsuit on anyway and RAN INTO THE OCEAN with my kids.

We laughed and splashed and had the best time. Spending that time IN THE WATER with my children made such a difference.

That night, I asked Elias what his favorite part of being at the beach was and you know what he said? “Running on the beach with you and Daddy.”
With you.

A few weeks after that beach trip, I found out I was pregnant. Every week this summer I am a little rounder than the week before. But you know what?
I still put on my swimming suit every chance I get and go swimming with my kids. They love swimming. And I love being with them.
Last weekend, I put on my swimsuit, looked at myself in the mirror and took a deep breath. I’m already showing at just 11 weeks. But it looks more like too many potato chips than a baby. As I came out of the bathroom, Matthew said, “you look pretty in your suit, baby.”
I said, “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
I embraced his words, wanting to demonstrate beauty and confidence for my kids. I wanted to have fun and make memories at that pool.
I refuse to miss my children’s high-pitched, pool-induced giggles because of my insecurities.
I refuse to let other women’s judging eyes at the pool prevent me from exposing their eyes to the wonder the sun glittering on the water.
I refuse to let my self-image influence my children’s.
I refuse to sacrifice memories with my children because of a soft tummy.
Because at the end of the day, it is not about me.
It is about my kids.
I want them to remember twirling in the water with their mom.
I want them to remember splash fights together.

I want them to remember jumping off the edge of the pool into my arms.
I want them to remember that their mom was there, with them.
Today, I hope to encourage you to push your insecurities aside. Put on that bathing suit. Run through the sprinkler. Jump in the pool. Splash.
Have fun.
Your child will remember those moments and your freedom – not how you looked in your swimming suit.
If this post resonated with you, please share it on Facebook or Twitter. Let’s encourage other moms to put on that swimsuit this weekend.

If you are new here – welcome! I am so thankful that this post has encouraged so many women! Here are a few links for us to connect in the future. The Mom Creative is a rich and lovely community. Would love to have you back.
To receive my posts via email & be entered to win a Lisa Leonard gift certificate, click here.
To check out my forthcoming book, The Fringe Hours: Secrets to Making Time for You, click here.

- See more at: http://www.themomcreative.com/#sthash.y4opjFwC.dpuf

Put on that Swimsuit

by jessicaturner on June 20, 2014

It’s been five years since I first wrote about putting on a swimsuit and going swimming with your kids, but I continue to receive emails and comments about that post. I decided it was time to revisit the topic – with some new and old thoughts.

You’ve got two choices every summer  – to put on a swimsuit or to skip it.

I have a lot of friends who do the latter.
They go to the pool with their kids, but they only put their feet in the pool. They sit on the sidelines, too concerned about what they look like and what others will think to embrace the joy of swimming with their kids.
Or they go to the beach, but stay under the umbrella instead of running into the ocean.
And it makes me incredibly sad.
Because when women stay on the sidelines because of insecurity, we are modeling unhealthy behavior to our children and we are missing out.
Your swimsuit does not define you.
That soft tummy you are trying to hide? Has stretched and grown life.
Those thighs that have long lost their gap? Gave you the strength to carry that beach ball for 9 months, then walk with life hanging on your hips for years after.
You are a mother. You are beautiful.
Don’t wear a veil of shame this summer. Put that swimming suit on.
When we went to the beach in April, I weighed a few pounds more than I wanted to. But you know what?
I put my swimsuit on anyway and RAN INTO THE OCEAN with my kids.

We laughed and splashed and had the best time. Spending that time IN THE WATER with my children made such a difference.

That night, I asked Elias what his favorite part of being at the beach was and you know what he said? “Running on the beach with you and Daddy.”
With you.

A few weeks after that beach trip, I found out I was pregnant. Every week this summer I am a little rounder than the week before. But you know what?
I still put on my swimming suit every chance I get and go swimming with my kids. They love swimming. And I love being with them.
Last weekend, I put on my swimsuit, looked at myself in the mirror and took a deep breath. I’m already showing at just 11 weeks. But it looks more like too many potato chips than a baby. As I came out of the bathroom, Matthew said, “you look pretty in your suit, baby.”
I said, “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
I embraced his words, wanting to demonstrate beauty and confidence for my kids. I wanted to have fun and make memories at that pool.
I refuse to miss my children’s high-pitched, pool-induced giggles because of my insecurities.
I refuse to let other women’s judging eyes at the pool prevent me from exposing their eyes to the wonder the sun glittering on the water.
I refuse to let my self-image influence my children’s.
I refuse to sacrifice memories with my children because of a soft tummy.
Because at the end of the day, it is not about me.
It is about my kids.
I want them to remember twirling in the water with their mom.
I want them to remember splash fights together.

I want them to remember jumping off the edge of the pool into my arms.
I want them to remember that their mom was there, with them.
Today, I hope to encourage you to push your insecurities aside. Put on that bathing suit. Run through the sprinkler. Jump in the pool. Splash.
Have fun.
Your child will remember those moments and your freedom – not how you looked in your swimming suit.
If this post resonated with you, please share it on Facebook or Twitter. Let’s encourage other moms to put on that swimsuit this weekend.

If you are new here – welcome! I am so thankful that this post has encouraged so many women! Here are a few links for us to connect in the future. The Mom Creative is a rich and lovely community. Would love to have you back.
To receive my posts via email & be entered to win a Lisa Leonard gift certificate, click here.
To check out my forthcoming book, The Fringe Hours: Secrets to Making Time for You, click here.

- See more at: http://www.themomcreative.com/#sthash.y4opjFwC.dpuf

Put on that Swimsuit

by jessicaturner on June 20, 2014

It’s been five years since I first wrote about putting on a swimsuit and going swimming with your kids, but I continue to receive emails and comments about that post. I decided it was time to revisit the topic – with some new and old thoughts.

You’ve got two choices every summer  – to put on a swimsuit or to skip it.

I have a lot of friends who do the latter.
They go to the pool with their kids, but they only put their feet in the pool. They sit on the sidelines, too concerned about what they look like and what others will think to embrace the joy of swimming with their kids.
Or they go to the beach, but stay under the umbrella instead of running into the ocean.
And it makes me incredibly sad.
Because when women stay on the sidelines because of insecurity, we are modeling unhealthy behavior to our children and we are missing out.
Your swimsuit does not define you.
That soft tummy you are trying to hide? Has stretched and grown life.
Those thighs that have long lost their gap? Gave you the strength to carry that beach ball for 9 months, then walk with life hanging on your hips for years after.
You are a mother. You are beautiful.
Don’t wear a veil of shame this summer. Put that swimming suit on.
When we went to the beach in April, I weighed a few pounds more than I wanted to. But you know what?
I put my swimsuit on anyway and RAN INTO THE OCEAN with my kids.

We laughed and splashed and had the best time. Spending that time IN THE WATER with my children made such a difference.

That night, I asked Elias what his favorite part of being at the beach was and you know what he said? “Running on the beach with you and Daddy.”
With you.

A few weeks after that beach trip, I found out I was pregnant. Every week this summer I am a little rounder than the week before. But you know what?
I still put on my swimming suit every chance I get and go swimming with my kids. They love swimming. And I love being with them.
Last weekend, I put on my swimsuit, looked at myself in the mirror and took a deep breath. I’m already showing at just 11 weeks. But it looks more like too many potato chips than a baby. As I came out of the bathroom, Matthew said, “you look pretty in your suit, baby.”
I said, “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
I embraced his words, wanting to demonstrate beauty and confidence for my kids. I wanted to have fun and make memories at that pool.
I refuse to miss my children’s high-pitched, pool-induced giggles because of my insecurities.
I refuse to let other women’s judging eyes at the pool prevent me from exposing their eyes to the wonder the sun glittering on the water.
I refuse to let my self-image influence my children’s.
I refuse to sacrifice memories with my children because of a soft tummy.
Because at the end of the day, it is not about me.
It is about my kids.
I want them to remember twirling in the water with their mom.
I want them to remember splash fights together.

I want them to remember jumping off the edge of the pool into my arms.
I want them to remember that their mom was there, with them.
Today, I hope to encourage you to push your insecurities aside. Put on that bathing suit. Run through the sprinkler. Jump in the pool. Splash.
Have fun.
Your child will remember those moments and your freedom – not how you looked in your swimming suit.
If this post resonated with you, please share it on Facebook or Twitter. Let’s encourage other moms to put on that swimsuit this weekend.

If you are new here – welcome! I am so thankful that this post has encouraged so many women! Here are a few links for us to connect in the future. The Mom Creative is a rich and lovely community. Would love to have you back.
To receive my posts via email & be entered to win a Lisa Leonard gift certificate, click here.
To check out my forthcoming book, The Fringe Hours: Secrets to Making Time for You, click here.

- See more at: http://www.themomcreative.com/#sthash.y4opjFwC.dpuf

ADSENSE HERE