Gracie & Bob, I completely agree! I find it very freeing to be able to talk about it, my husband does as well. I don't understand why sex is something we don't talk openly about it. I think there would be so much shame removed and isolation would ease as well. I find that as I am more open and approachable and I step out and just live transparently about my life others seem to meet me there. I am realizing that it helps me build friendship based on real honestly and connection. That to me is the type of friendship that I want and really value. The more I delve into learning to love myself and (as a christian) love this creation that God designed the more I realize that I no longer seek the approval of others. I am ok if people don't like me. I understand we are all different and I might not be everyone's cup o tea, that is ok! I don't have time to be everyone friend, lol. I do have time to create real connection and lasting friendships with a few. These relationships are built on trust, honesty, integrity, and transparency, grace, and love. Allowing each other to be themselves and encouraging each other, isn't that what it is all about? In a culture where sex is everywhere, shouldn't that be part of the conversation? It is impacting our lives, shouldn't we talk about it?
Over the weekend (and if I am going to be honest off and on for a while now) my 8 yr old daughter has asked to shave her legs. I have very thick hair and my husband is pretty hairy as well. I have to shave my legs regular and yes I can see my daughter has leg hair. It is pretty dark since she has dark hair and she is very tan. I think she is beautiful and she completely has my heart. She feels insecure about her leg hair. She says other kids comment on it a lot. It makes her feel shame and she says she doesn't want to feel gross about herself. The fact that this is a problem is sad. It is the byproduct of an extremely over sexualized culture for sure! Why do kids at 8 even care?!? Much less take it upon themselves to shame others?!? I explained that once you start shaving you have to keep it up. We talked about loving our bodies just as they are. Then the kids were playing outside with some neighbor kids and I heard it. Kids can be so mean. She is strong and beautiful. Not fat at all and honestly this is probably the only things that might be obvious to tease her about. She is small for her age, thick dark brown hair, beautiful eyebrows and eyes, she is 45 lbs and can carry a 55# weight up stairs! She is amazing! Sure enough I hear neighbor kids tell her she has hairier legs then them (they are 12). They say she has man legs. I watched as she just said, "So it's none of your business, that is the way God made me". As she walked away I could see here face, it hurt her. She is strong and didn't let that boy see her pain, but it hurt all the same. My heart broke for her. It shouldn't even be an issue, she is 8!