From the mouths of babes, right? Allison Kimmey, mom of two, had a beautiful body-positivity moment this week after her young daughter asked her about the stretch marks on her tummy and sides.
Allison recognized the moment as an opportunity. Girls are learning younger and younger to be ashamed of their bodies, to the point that parents are even encouraged to know the signs of an emerging eating disorder.
The only way to interrupt this pattern? Start giving young girls a different message about their bodies.
So when Allison's daughter, still young enough to accept whatever explanation her mother gives, inquired about the stretch marks, her mother came up with an awesome way to change the narrative and help her daughter see stretch marks and other "imperfections" as assets, not flaws.
After all, stretch marks and cellulite and soft thighs are just part of life. Women tend to feel guilty for totally normal, healthy bodies, just because they aren't airbrushed to perfection. We don't need to pass that on to our daughters!
Scroll through to read Allison's powerful Facebook post on the subject.
Allison Kimmey is a mom of two and a body-positivity advocate.
After struggling for years with her self-image, she finally said, "Enough is enough."
Instead of focusing on weight loss, she now shares powerful messages with her fans and followers about wellness, happiness, and loving the skin you're in.
One recent post, regarding a conversation she had with her daughter about stretch marks, really took off.
It was shared by 82k people and earned thousands of approving comments from fellow moms!
She writes:
Today while I was laying at the pool with my daughter:
Her: "Why is your tummy big mama?"
Me: "What do you mean baby?"
Her: "These lines, mama." (Pointing to stretch marks on my tummy)
Allison, who often posts before-and-after selfies of her pre-baby body, and her equally happy, healthy body today, continues:
Me: “oh those are my stretch marks!”
Her: "Where do they come from?"
Me: "well when I was a little older than you, I got some stripes when I grew really fast! And some of these stripes are from when I had you growing in my tummy"
Her: looking inquisitively
Me: "They are shiny and sparkly, aren't they pretty?"
Her: "yes, I like this one the best, it's so glittery. When can I get some?"
Me: "oh you will get your glitter stripes when you get a little bit older baby!"
IT MATTERS HOW WE TALK TO OUR DAUGHTERS ABOUT OUR BODIES!
They are listening.
They are asking.
And it is up to YOU to help them shape how they will feel about these things!
Will you continue the shame that society has placed on you?
Or will you teach her a new way of love?
I choose love
Xoxo
Allie
Allison's body positive "glitter stripes" message is already winning lots of fans around the web. Honestly, we love the idea of permanently rebranding stretch marks as glitter stripes.
For more of Allison's body-positive wisdom, you can find her on Facebook and Instagram.
You can also check out her website to learn more about her upcoming children's book series about good body image!
Are you proud of your "glitter stripes"?
Let us know below, and make sure to SHARE this sweet story of body positivity for everyone with daughters and granddaughters.
