Mum's response to her daughter’s stretch marks question goes viral

Mother of two, Allison Kimmney, was laying by the pool with her daughter when the four-year-old asked “why is your tummy big mama?”

Allison from Florida decided to share the conversation on Facebook, alongside a reminder to other mothers: “It matters how we talk to our babies about our bodies.”

Today while I was laying at the pool with my daughter:
Her: “Why is your tummy big mama?”
Me: “What do you mean baby?”
Her: “These lines, mama.” (Pointing to stretch marks on my tummy)
Me: “oh those are my stretch marks!”
Her: “Where do they come from?”
Me: “well when I was a little older than you, I got some stripes when I grew really fast! And some of these stripes are from when I had you growing in my tummy”
Her: looking inquisitively
Me: “They are shiny and sparkly, aren’t they pretty?”
Her: “yes, I like this one the best, it’s so glittery. When can I get some?”
Me: “oh you will get your glitter stripes when you get a little bit older baby!”

IT MATTERS HOW WE TALK TO OUR DAUGHTERS ABOUT OUR BODIES! They are listening. They are asking. And it is up to YOU to help them shape how they will feel about these things!

Will you continue the shame that society has placed on you? Or will you teach her a new way of love?
I choose love
Just do you
Xoxo
Allie

Her touching post has resonated with thousands, it has been shared over 77,000 times and received over 162,000 reactions.

We recently shared a powerful video that is sending an important reminder to parents that we all need to be kinder to ourselves, because the kids are always listening! Watch that clip here.

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20 Comments

- - mom94125 said
  - 13 Oct 2017
    8:49 pm
stretch marks are my symbol of pride! i made a life and am proud of the fact! it is my badge of pride! no worries!

- - angie13 said
  - 29 Apr 2017
    1:05 pm
This story just gave me goose bumps. That is a beautiful story and a beautiful explanation. Thankyou made my day.

- - mom101628 said
  - 17 Apr 2017
    4:39 pm
A gorgeous way to explain and still love your body and not put it down to your young daughter.

- - nealsq said
  - 16 Apr 2017
    11:50 am
what a fantastic way to describe them, I will have to remember myself!

- - mom81879 said
  - 14 Apr 2017
    8:23 am
I have a little pot belly. When my kids have asked about it I’ve just said it’s left over baby from having them

- - june11 said
  - 02 Apr 2017
    2:07 pm
Well done. A very good truthful explanation. At least your little daughter was nice about it so you wouldn’t flet uncomfortable explaining them to her.

- - tessie said
  - 31 Mar 2017
    11:54 am
What a wonderful way to describe the stretch marks on our stomachs. Just beautiful thanks for sharing

- - Kell said
  - 29 Mar 2017
    9:32 pm
Glitter Stripes …. I will never say SM again!! ….. love it

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 29 Mar 2017
    5:35 pm
Good answer- that would have been awkward.

- - ella12 said
  - 29 Mar 2017
    4:25 pm
I so love this response. All I can say is rock on!

- - rovermum said
  - 29 Mar 2017
    8:52 am
I love how this Mum has explained her stretch marks. Simple, in a way her daughter could understand. A fantastic and honest response.

- - Ellen said
  - 29 Mar 2017
    3:13 am
I beautiful responce from this mum indeed ! It’s so important how we express ourselves about our bodies in front of our children. May we all set a good example and show respect and love for our bodies !

- - twinningmum said
  - 29 Mar 2017
    2:15 am
Aww what a great response. I must try to remember this. I really have a terrible body image of myself (even when I was ‘skinny and young’) but I try really hard for my daughter to grow up feelingnhappy about herself. Wonderful post.

- - kjgarner said
  - 28 Mar 2017
    9:12 pm
I love the positiveness towards stretch marks, most women get them including myself and it’s what makes you, you, after having kids.

- - rachel1970 said
  - 28 Mar 2017
    7:19 pm
Love it. My daughter told me she loved the fairy lights in my hair (hmmm, I call them grays) Bless her. Embrace the body you have, it has nurtured amazing life.
- mom93821 replied
  
  29 Mar 2017 , 7:17 am
  Fairy lights is such an adorable comment – love it!
- - mom93821 said
  - 28 Mar 2017
    6:17 pm
Good on this mum! Love her positive attitude towards her body and she is passing on a good and positive body image to her daughter. Glitter stripes are just priceless!

- - Mum To Two said
  - 28 Mar 2017
    5:49 pm
What a lovely positive message to share with your daughter. I’m glad it has gone viral to hopefully encourage more beautiful mummas to be proud of their bodies and speak about themselves in a positive way!

- - Mary said
  - 28 Mar 2017
    4:09 pm
Live it, keep up the positive messages for your littlie and I will try to do my girls the same favour.

- - mom206279 said
  - 28 Mar 2017
    2:26 pm
Its such a fine line between teaching your kids how important it is to be healthy and how important it is to not care how you look. Those two are very closely linked.