“That lady has a baby in her belly!” Max exclaims, pointing at the building employee walking by. I’m 14-years-old, volunteering at a camp with my best friend. We are sitting with 4-year-old Max, whose mom is late to pick him up. My friend and I meet eyes and swallow our uncomfortable grins in response to …
Body-Shaming, Age 8+
Age 8: “Your mom is fat,” the boys in my second grade class announce to me, giggling to each other in the corner of the playground at recess. Their laughter haunts me. I ask my mom not to come to Visitation Day that year. I won’t tell her my reasoning behind that request until …