Nipples and other body parts ...

The best part of Christmas holidays is hanging with Amanda and watching TV in front of the fire.

Amanda has been asking some really good questions lately. We're often fielding a barrage of questions. We also want to give her real answers and try not to defer a real answer later when she isn't as interested.

Today's question came when we were watching a commercial for hair removal. She asked why are the ladies legs on TV so skinny? And she hoped that the product was for kids. We had to explain that everyone's body parts are a little different and that everyone's legs are different. We also tried to explain that on TV they sometimes pick people who tend to look the same and that they look different than people in real life.

She thought for a moment and then seemed to absorb what we had told her. A commercial for orange juice came on with an older gentleman spouting the benefits of freshly squeezed orange juice. Amanda asked if he was a real person. I said that I'm pretty sure that he is real because he had his pants pulled up to his nipples. Amanda then asked what are nipples.

We thought that she knew what they were and asked her "What do mommies use nipples for?"

She answered "to breathe!"

Children See, Children Do

Jeff emailed me this commercial from YouTube the other day...it's pretty difficult to watch, but the message is important, so here it is:

Dove: Self-Esteem

I found a link to this video on a friend's site and really think that it's a great idea for all of us to think about.

As a teacher of high school students, I see how parents (and teachers) can sometimes unintentionally cause kids to feel absolutely insecure about themselves. Socially it is already a very difficult time when growing up as a teenager and I believe that it is our responsibility to help our kids and others to feel good about themselves. "TOUGH LOVE" does not mean making them feel like they are worthless. We're not good at everything but everyone has something that they are unique at. It sounds a little cliche but we need to help these young people find their strengths and celebrate them!

Watching my daughter grow up and learn something every day really helps me see what she is good at and what she isn't good at. Its amazing what each person is capable of once you see it (little or adult sized).

Enough said.

Watch the video and hug your kid(s)!