“Oh so pretty! So skinny!” the ladies at the local shop gushed to my daughter.

In my head, I formulated so many responses.

“Thank you so much, but my girls are learning not to talk about other people’s bodies.”

“Wait…did you just compliment a seven year-old on being skinny?”

“Eh, genetics.”

But of course I responded the only appropriate way I could think of to the well-meaning women: an awkward smile. I couldn’t bring myself to say thank you which…well, weird.

Oh man, it’s starting already. Continue reading →