New children's book takes on mommy's plastic surgery

[sparkle&shine]

New children's book takes on mommy's plastic surgery (http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/2008/04/17/20080417beautiful-mommy0417-ON.html)
Illustrations show a crook-nosed mom with loose tummy skin under her half shirt picking up her young daughter early from school one day and taking her to a strapping and handsome "Dr. Michael."

Mom explains she's going to have operations on her nose and tummy and may have to take it easy for a week or so. The girl asks if the operations will hurt, and mom replies, "Maybe a little," warning she'll look different after the bandages come off.

The girl asks: "Why are you going to look different?"

Mom responds: "Not just different, my dear - prettier!"

At the breakfast table, the girl tells mommy how she's learning about butterflies at school and mommy laughs that her bandages make her feel like a cocoon.

Then the big day arrives - mommy's bandages are gone and illustrator Victor Guiza lights up the new and improved mommy with a sparkly princess pink background. (http://www.azcentral.com/i/sized/1/6/D/e298/j350/PHP4807BAC85D6A1.jpg)

"Mommy, your eyes are sparkling like diamonds," the girl exclaims. "You're the most beautiful butterfly in the whole world."

I wish I could quote more of the article you really have to read it.

So do you think this is a way to help children whose parents are going to have plastic surgery anyway or is this going to make them feel that they can't be pretty with out surgery?

[jimmysgirl424]

Well, the thing I will comment on is how unrealistic the book is being. They are referring to the mommy having a tummy tuck and having to take it easy for a week or so?? I think not. My sister had a tummy tuck last year and "taking it easy for a week" is a gross misrepresentation of the recuperation involved with an operation like that. My sister couldn't function at all by herself for the first two weeks. She walked like a hunchback for close to a month and I'd say she wasn't really herself for about six-eight weeks.

I just think the book is sugar-coating it way too heavily in this case.

[imagirliegirl]

So do you think this is a way to help children whose parents are going to have plastic surgery anyway or is this going to make them feel that they can't be pretty with out surgery?

If kids are going to feel like they need plastic surgery to be pretty it won't be because of this silly book, it will be because of how their parents handle getting plastic surgery.

I also think the likelihood of it helping them in any way is probably slim. Kids are looking more to their parents than a book. And honestly, if a parent isn't able to explain to their kid what plastic surgery is and why they are doing it, then maybe they aren't mature enough to do it. If you're electing to have surgery, just tell your kids about it. Using a book is such a cop out. It's not like this is something frightening like cancer and you just are at a loss as to what to say.

[KGif]

Okay the first comment posted after the article cracks me up:

"The book shoulda been titled 'Thanks for the inferiority complex Mommy'"

Hehehhehehe.


The picture of the "beautiful mommy" with the teeny weeny waist .. big boobs ... etc. is a bit much! Good gracious!