As I looked at my COVID test yesterday, I had a flashback to the sensations I felt when looking at my pregnancy tests. What a day to feel that mix of emotions – hope, fear, sadness, joy. And what a privilege that I have had the ability to dictate my journey into motherhood.
My kids have all taken on the exclamation of “Stop! This is my body!” the past couple of weeks. Usually exclaimed after one of the siblings has touched them when, where and/or how they don’t want to be touched. While at times it has been humorous, I have done my best to seriously teach the importance of listening to another person speak their physical boundaries as well as to encourage each child to declare their own.
“This is my body” is not an empty lesson. It carries lifelong implications to how our children respect, care and acknowledge their own bodies as well as others.
May more people understand “this is my body” means just that.
