Toddlers

Mum pens body image piece to her daughter, and we ALL need to pay attention

A mum-of-one from Missouri has posted an inspiring letter online to her daughter that has a profound message.

Brittney Johnson was compelled to take to Facebook after a shopping trip with her toddler Payton.

After watching Payton’s kind encounters with shop assistants, other children and trying on clothes in the dressing room, Brittney finally understood how much her daughter picks up from the people around her.

The mum was trying on bikinis in the dressing room of a store; her little girl beside her, copying her mama’s every move.

Mum was taking snaps of herself, sending them on to her friends for approval, because that’s what women do; right?

But when Payton posed in the mirror wearing one of her mum’s bikinis, she instantly stated: "Wow I just love cheetah print! I think I look beautiful! Do you think I look beautiful too?!"

At that very moment, it hit the mum – her little tot only repeats what she hears.

Immediately realising that her daughter is kind to people because she is, realising that her daughter is polite because she is, realising her daughter gives compliments because she does;

But realising her daughter is looking for reassurance that she’s beautiful because that’s what Mum does, that was the final straw.

Brittney thought: “When it comes to manners, be an example. When it comes to kindness, be an example. And when it comes to body image, be an example.”

“I am not a size zero. I never will be. I have big thighs and a huge rump and for some reason, the middle of my body gets more tan than the rest, but this body made a whole other body,” she added.

Brittney believing that she needs to set a good example for her little girl reinforced her thoughts;

“I am strong. I am able. And I am happy. I don't have to be beautiful like you because I am beautiful like me.”

We’re all about this post because we at MagicMum believe all mums are beautiful.

Have you encountered moments where your children imitate you?

Search
Search results for
View all