Teaching (& Practicing ) Body Gratitude - May 28, 2021 - A Pandemic Parenting Note

Daniel Tiger’s mom, Collette Tiger* is my parenting coach. Recently we inherited a slew of potty books from a friend, including one about Daniel Tiger (thank God). In the book, she & Daniel are riding on Trolley when Daniel has to go potty. Daniel doesn’t want to go back home. Here’s where Collette’s drops the parenting mic. She says:
 
“What’s most important now is to listen to your body.” 
 
This is a fundamental lesson we teach our kids that society then wears away. I did not grow up in a body-positive environment. I’m sure I was taught to listen to my body at some point, but then, as I grew and my body took on a shape of its own, I was told not to listen to it, not to trust it; to eat certain foods and dress a certain way to make my body acceptable to others. I sure wish Daniel’s mom had been around then.. 
 
Each morning we are invited to offer a prayer of gratitude for our bodies. It is called Asher Yatzar. In it, we thank God for making us exactly as we are. It also happens to be the blessing we say when we go to the bathroom (or change a diaper)! Whether your littles are potty trained, or if that milestone seems ages away, it’s never too late to start teaching body positivity. 
 
Shabbat Sha’listen to your body Shalom!
 
p.s. For the full blessing of asher yatzar and other daily blessings, our friends at PJ Library have got you covered: https://pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/august-2016/blessings-for-everyday-situations
 
*Yes, I had to do a web search to discover that she actually has a name.