Good afternoon everyone,

Every now and then I do a giant binge on Virginia Sole-Smith's substack. As not a parent, I don't know exactly why I find it so nice to be told that feeding kids is really difficult and that they are mostly going to be fine! Maybe it makes me think that other things where we hold ourselves to silly standards might also not matter so much. Anyway, I think you would like this substack as well, particularly this lovely interview (also available in podcast format) with Amanda Martinez Beck:

But I say that the purpose of my body isn’t health or thinness or perfection. It’s relationship. My body can be good, no matter my ability or my size, because I can have relationship with anyone and it can be a fruitful and deep relationship. And that’s what really keeps me going with my kids. When I do feel that shame of sitting in my car when they’re playing on the playground. I know that the other 95 percent of the day, they’re with me, and we’re investing in our relationship. And it’s part of my relationship to let them go and experience things that I don’t have experience with.

https://virginiasolesmith.substack.com/p/amanda-martinez-beck

And, you know, of course Reductress has something to say about body neutrality:

“You probably don’t know this, but body positivity can be really toxic,” the Pillsbury Doughboy said angrily. And it’s like, yes I know, I reposted a whole infographic about it. Who does the Pillsbury Doughboy think he is? When one woman generously asked about his experience with fad diets and their harmful effects on the liver, he responded, “I don’t know. I am made entirely of dough.” Then added, “So, have you ladies ever confronted your thin privilege?”

https://reductress.com/post/i-lived-it-the-pillsbury-doughboy-mansplained-body-neutrality-to-me/

Have a lovely Friday, pals,

A xx.