I made a post the other day about plus size Barbies. I still think that the "obese" Barbie is too much. But when did we all of a sudden become concerned with Barbies image? I don't remember ever saying wow I really want to be super skinny and tall like Barbie. I remember thinking how pretty she was or how amazing her clothes were. I watched the Barbie movie with the real woman playing Barbie, I loved it. But I never compared myself to Barbie.
What does that say about our generation now ? if when I was a kid, 20 years ago nobody thought to question Barbies looks. She just looked how she looked. Who said oh look how skinny Barbie is, she's setting a bad example for children we need a more normal looking Babrie? Nobody that I can remember. Nobody really thought of that stuff that I know of. But now all of a sudden it's a problem?
No. You know what the problem is? Parents. Parents and grandparents used to be their children's roll models not a freaking toy! Parents used to monitor what their children were eating, making sure they ate moderately healthy so they didn't become obese. Parents made their kids get out their and play outside so they didn't become part of the couch. Parents monitored what their children were doing because they were concerned about them.
And what do parents do now? Nothing. Ok, we'll not all of them do nothing. Some parents are still active in theirs kids lives, others barely even know their kid exists. I'll admit that sometimes I am that way with my kids but I think I pay enough attention to them to notice their behavior, and eating habits, and who their roll model is... No it's not me, I'm sure they would both say daddy of course. But that's good because he is a much better roll model for them than I am and I know that. And it's that reason right there that I'm trying to become a better roll model for my kids. All parents should be doing this rather than put the blame on social media, and toys, and games and movies.
Pay attention to your kids! Stop placing blame on other people. Barbie shouldn't have to be changed because a parent feels insecure about what their child might feel about their self as they grow older. Well.... Here's a thought. Maybe all that time you spend ranting about how they should change a toy to look more "average" instead you should spend that time building up your child's self esteem so they won't ever have to compare themselves to a toy! Because then what happens when they change the toy to a more "average" look? All the people who aren't "average" will want one like them too. And then picking out a Barbie in the store will be like picking out a car at the auto mall. There will be literally stores full of just Barbies to please every person!
Everyday I make sure to tell my kids how smart, handsome, beautiful, creative, amazing, sweet, kind, they are and how proud of them I am. I call Lil tubs and fats but I love her so much because she has all that chunk. I don't love her more because of it, I'd love her so much either way but dammit if those fat little legs and tubby belly make me giggle and want to pinch and tickle her. You can ask her who has a big fat belly and she will say "me" she will pull her shirt up to show her belly so you can kiss it. She is proud of every inch of herself and so am I. And if the day comes where she starts to get overweight or she gets to skinny you bet I'll let her know but only because I'm concerned about health risks.
I don't care about their weight or their looks I care about what's inside. I don't want them to be self conscious like me and I will do everything possible to make sure they never feel this way. I'll do whatever I can to keep societies awful ideas of perfect out of their heads. They are perfect to me and to our family and they will know that's all that matters because out their in the real world you will always be criticized for something whether your too fat, too skinny, to flabby, too muscular, too tall, too short, too dark, too light and so on and so on. Let society think that about you and your kids but don't let you or your kids think that way about yourselves. We can't blame toys for our self esteem, that's just too stupid and too much of a cop out if you ask me.
So parents grow up. Be a better role model for your children and if you cant then find someone who can!
No comments:
Post a Comment