“Mommy? Why are you so fat?”
“Because that’s the way I’m built. We have a lot of large, strong women in our family. . . And I also dieted a lot when I was younger, and dieting can make you even bigger.”
“Did you like how I did at the recital tonight?”
“Yes. You played really, really well! I’m so proud of you! Will you play for Grandma and Grandpa at Thanksgiving?”
“Sure. And Daddy said I didn’t eat too much at the redemption.”
“Reception. You don’t have a tummyache, right? Then you did just fine. You do know that the reason we told you to choose only two special things is because we didn’t want you to get overheated and excited and overfull–like the reunion?”
“I didn’t throw up this time.”
“Exactly. Good job taking care of yourself.”
“Thanks, Mommy. Can I have a lipbalm kit for my birthday, like I gave Holly for hers?”
“Let’s see how she likes it first. If she thinks it’s really great, then we’ll put it on your list.”
“Okay. Night, Mommy.”
“Good night, honey.”
Tags: eating habits, fat acceptance, kids, parenting
November 9, 2009 at 9:13 am |
It’s never, ever just one questions is it?
Your older daughter sounds delightful. Blessings on you both as you navigate towards adulthood.
November 9, 2009 at 9:36 am |
That was lovely.
November 9, 2009 at 9:50 am |
I agree with Steve. That was lovely. Just like in your book — fatness is as big a deal as lip balm. Utterly unFRAUGHT.
I also love that you include “strong” in your answer. I was just thinking this morning about the fat people I know and how absolutely none of them are greedy or lazy or slobby (except me on the last one). Growing up, I associated fatness with strength, arrogance, bigger-than-life-ness, based on the people I happened to know that were fat. I didn’t learn until my teen years that fat people were supposed to be so pathetic. There’s a lot to learn from people who don’t know so much.
November 9, 2009 at 10:36 am |
as a recoviering bulima who suddenly has 2 girls aged 6-7 i am scared shitless i am going to somehow give them my eating disorder. (as if it were catching) This sounds so …NORMAL!
Kudos and thanks for the “advice”
November 9, 2009 at 2:29 pm |