@existere: In my notes for this, I wrote something I didn’t even touch on, but you did: participating in talks like this and encouraging “real” sexuality, not the overt, plasticized, made-for-the-movies version, helps.

@Cara: Thank you for taking the time to watch. I was hesitant about the length of this video, particularly since I know how precious 6 long minutes can feel to a frazzled mom, so I appreciate that you remembered it and came back to hear what I had to say :] Tonight I tried to feel sexy. Put on cute, clean undies and one of my husband’s t-shirts. Then Maia woke up so I tried to soothe her back to sleep, then husband finally looked at me and said, “Is that puke or drool on your shoulder?” ……. I gave up on trying to feel sexy for the night. Ha ha.

Also, it’s always great to see Maia in her real, moving body!! I want to squeeeeeeeeze her.

@Gala: It’s funny that you mention the feet thing, because you know how I feel about the size of my feet too. They’re gargantuan (thanks for passing them down! ) I GENERALLY feel good about myself, but I could definitely feel better. I don’t remember that you ever made me feel bad about myself (I’m sure that as an over-sensitive teenager I had moments where I thought you did). Daddy does need to help me out with feelin confident, but I think he does a pretty great job at it right now. It’s tough, for both of us, to try to look at one another as spouses and not parents.

@Maria: Thank you for running GTT! I look forward to it every week, even when it’s 10pm Wednesday night and I realize I don’t know what I’m going to post yet I get a lot of phone calls where people ask “Is your father or mother home?” Um, I AM the Mother!

@staciesmadness: Hehehe, thanks!

@klingensquiggle: Glad that you enjoyed it

@Diane: I do have some faded stretch marks on my thighs, because THEY appeared overnight when I was a teenager. Would’ve rather gotten the boobs, but alas… It is a small comfort, though. I just hate seeing these purpley-red lines radiating out from my nipple. Like WTF?

I definitely agree with you about trying to be proud of our bodies to protect our daughters, obviously. I just hope that with enough repetition, we actually start to wear our flaws with pride

@Jenni: Awesome! I love that after 10 years, you and hubs still get your freak on regularly. You have this great sense of self-confidence and happiness that comes through in your blog posts and tweets. Thank you for commenting!

@Kekibird: Your post on the same topic was really great. This GTT meme is my fav!

@Jinxy: Thanks! She is my inspiration, so having her with me felt right.

@Michelle: Thank you for the encouragement, and for dropping by! I’m flattered

@ChurchPunkMom: I like to tell myself that I “don’t care” about the women I see on TV and on magazines, but then… every time a Dove commercial (with their “real beauty” campaign comes on, I smile. Despite the fact that those women have flawless looking skin and hair, I love that they portray different body shapes and ages and say YOU ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL.

@Colleen: I have been debating a video post for awhile now. This GTT topic just got me so worked up, I started scribbling notes as to what I wanted to say, and finally I was like “screw it, I’m gonna just make THIS my first video post!” I hope that, as Maia grows, I can continue to stay aware of how I regard myself or other women and how it impacts her perception of them.

I’m with you on the boob stretch marks, plus I’ve got them all over my thighs. Not my stomach, just the thighs and boobs, go figure.

I love that you are conscious of how your perceptions and self-esteem will influence Maia. Sometimes I look at other parents and am like “Why the fuck are you doing or saying that in front of your kids? You’re shaping them to have the same issues you do!” Ugh.

Anyways – loved it!