harmony wrote:3. Some women cannot bear to grow old. I look at Marie and see that kind of woman. I am not impressed that she can kick that high at 48 years old. I know what she does in order to be able to do that, and I wonder at her priorities. I wonder if a big part of the problem for these children is that their mothers refuse to admit to themselves that they're getting older. They secretly despised their own mothers, those mostly plump frumpy women, and vowed early in life to never allow that to happen to them, only to find that their children really need women focused solely on them in their lives, even if they're plump and frumpy because of that focus. Cosmetic surgery is at an all time high, as women have their breasts enhanced, their lips puffed up, their bodies sculpted, their faces Botoxed, all with the idea of remaining 24 forever. When women aren't comfortable in their own skin, being the age they are, how can children be mothered? When grandmothers focus on looking like teenagers, we've got a problem. Children, especially teenagers, don't need competition from their mothers.
Look nice, yes, but don't color the gray, don't fight the inevitable plumpness, don't fight the occasional wrinkle, don't seek to be something that is long gone. Be content in the now. I think that is a major problem with our women, both in and out of the church. We are not content in the now. We want the prime of our lives to last far longer than it's supposed to. I think it's a cultural thing, and something that Mormon women have embraced far too often and far too much.
Hi Harmony, I have no desire to remain ageless. I LOVE my 30's. They rock! I prefer them to my 20's in many ways and imagine my 40's will hold even more delight for me. :)
Yet, I still try to not be frumpy. I just don't desire to frump up. I want to be whatever age I am and still take care of myself. I work out like a fiend, I love that my ass rocks, and I'm just incredibly shallow in that regard. I just see it as a way to embrace whatever stage I'm in within my life and make the most of it. I don't desire to turn back the clock, but still want that clock sparkly and clean at whatever time it is. :)
Not done the cosmetic surgery route but I understand why some women do, I suppose. I don't think the way a woman looks really has all that much to do with their mothering skills. I see frumpy, overweight women that are horrid mothers all the time. I don't really see a correlation.
There's another reason I try to stay attractive and that is to show my daughters that they too are beautiful. Odd, I know?! I grew up never seeing another human being that shared my blood line (I'm adopted) and I always had this hope that my mother was some beautiful, wonderful lady and I looked just like her! My daughters look at me and I look at them and see us reflected in each other. I want to be that Mom that I always hoped existed somewhere for my daughters. So, while others may not get that (actually no one would except anyone reading this) I would hope that we all realize that none of us know the inner secrets, struggles, and desires that go into each individual choice to look attractive or not to. :)