Is it wrong to be a little vain?
HelenTheKitchen
Posts: 383
I took my daughter to her yearly check-up yesterday and I had a very vain thought, and was a little upset with myself after having it.
First of all, let me explain that some of the women on my husbands side of the family are just naturally very tall and slender, where as I always, since being a little baby, have been a little on the short side and have always had to battle with food to stay anywhere close to slim.
So, moving on with the story, the doctor mentioned yesterday that it looks like my daughter may turn out to be quite tall and has what looks to him just a naturally slim frame, because I was slightly concerned that she seems to be a bit underweight despite the fact that she would eat a stick of butter if I gave it to her (I never would, don't worry). Having been both slim and very overweight, when he said this my mind immediately went to a place where I thought "HALLELUJAH! She didn't get my genes!!!" And I was immediately a little ashamed for thinking it.
It's not that I lack confidence in myself or don't believe in teaching my daughter healthy eating habits and loving herself from the inside out, I just know how much my weight problems have affected my life. I also know from both sides of the spectrum, and I hate to say it, that people treat you differently when you're slim. I don't know whether that is a confidence thing or a twisted reality of society, but I have always felt that way. She is developing wonderfully in every other area, and I couldn't be happier about that as well. But I felt so bad about being happy that she seems to be developing more like the women on my husbands side of the family than the women on mine. Is it horrible to have such vain thoughts?
First of all, let me explain that some of the women on my husbands side of the family are just naturally very tall and slender, where as I always, since being a little baby, have been a little on the short side and have always had to battle with food to stay anywhere close to slim.
So, moving on with the story, the doctor mentioned yesterday that it looks like my daughter may turn out to be quite tall and has what looks to him just a naturally slim frame, because I was slightly concerned that she seems to be a bit underweight despite the fact that she would eat a stick of butter if I gave it to her (I never would, don't worry). Having been both slim and very overweight, when he said this my mind immediately went to a place where I thought "HALLELUJAH! She didn't get my genes!!!" And I was immediately a little ashamed for thinking it.
It's not that I lack confidence in myself or don't believe in teaching my daughter healthy eating habits and loving herself from the inside out, I just know how much my weight problems have affected my life. I also know from both sides of the spectrum, and I hate to say it, that people treat you differently when you're slim. I don't know whether that is a confidence thing or a twisted reality of society, but I have always felt that way. She is developing wonderfully in every other area, and I couldn't be happier about that as well. But I felt so bad about being happy that she seems to be developing more like the women on my husbands side of the family than the women on mine. Is it horrible to have such vain thoughts?
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Replies
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I wouldn't call that vain....vain is thinking too highly of yourself, whereas you seem to be excited & relieved that your daughter won't have your struggles.0
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I don't think it is vain to want our children to be as healthy as possible, and not have the same struggles we have whether it be with weight or whatever.0
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Def a twisted society not a confidence thing as far as people treating you differently. I have been 190lbs and I have been 120lbs. People treat you different when you are thin- no doubt about it.0
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I'm the mom of two little girls.
I don't think it's wrong to hope for nothing but the best for your children!
I also wish that we could all be comfortable in our own skin and see the the beauty within ourselves. That is really hard in our society. We can only do our best to teach our kids to love themselves no matter what!
I love your insight and observations!0 -
Honestly, I'd probably have the same thought. Its not vain, you don't want your daughter to have the same struggles that you have had. My mother struggling with her weight and getting obese and then losing the weight was eye opening for me because I did get my mother and father's genes (I was going to be short and have to watch my weight in my adult life.) I know my mother wishes I did not have to struggle with it. I am hoping my daughters (when I have one) get their father's genes because he is tall and slender.0
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I don't think is wrong. I remember when i was pregnant think "please dont let my baby be ugly". that is a lot worse then your thoughts!0
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Not at all. It is not wrong to want for your daughter to not struggle during her lifetime with her weight. Weight plays a big factor in our lifes and wanting our children to not have to go through the struggles of such is not vain. Of course, continue to tell her how beautiful she is as a person and she will continue to flourish.0
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