Saturday I took my 11-year-old daughters to a birthday party at a splash park/pool. We had already been at another birthday party for the hour-and-a-half prior to this one and it was warm out, about 90+ degrees with humidity.
When we arrived at the splash park I mentioned in passing, "Whew! I should've brought my bathing suit!" To which both responded with a quick look of slight horror and Ballerina gives me quick shakes of the head to say "PLEASE NO!!".
I was like, "What??" Then I discreetly pointed out two women sitting in swimsuits on the edge of the pool who were larger than I and reminded my daughters that at least I always wear my hawaiian cover up that goes to my knees.
Ballerina finally says, "Well, just don't ever wear a bikini!" and we all laughed. (another story for another time).
Though we laughed through it and I think they were only embarrassed because their friends from school would be there not because I would actually wear mine in public (which I did at the lake a month ago)..I was hurt.
This was the first time that I remember any of my kids being embarrassed of me and my size.
I kept thinking, "I've finally comes to love myself as I am, get over what other people think, swim with my kids if I want to because I know I'm working on it and now I'm being rejected by them!!!!!!" Brats.
When I pointed it out to my husband he only smiled apologetically, patted my arm and said, "Motivation." It wasn't the response I wanted.
I won't dwell on the little bit of pre-teen brainlessness and I will try to use it to motivate me; but it was definitely not my favorite-est of moments and something I hope I NEVER have to hear from my children again.
Side Note: I told another mom and she laughed and said she'd just "embarrassed" her 14-year-old by dripping mustard on her blouse in public....so I'm encouraged by that and knowing my kids really aren't vicious..just clueless sometimes. :o)
Ouch.....maybe if they struggled with weight, they would have a different outlook? I don't remember doing that to my mom, but then, there are times we don't ever remember hurting our moms and we did all the same. Anyway - thanks for sharing - that took a lot of guts.
ReplyDeleteOh Leah...what do you say? That had to of been hard for you to take. I know it wasn't easy but you will make them proud to be their mom someday.
ReplyDeleteHi Leah
ReplyDeleteI am reading through some of these old entries. That must have really hurt. Teens can be so brutal!