If the Shoe, er, uh, Sock Fits

It's a little chilly here in the Alligator household -- we've been keeping our thermostat set at 66 degrees. Trying to spend less on the gas bill and learning to wear a sweater (that we've already paid for) rather than pay for heat while wearing short sleeves.

To that end, The Dictator has taken to wearing socks to bed. She forgot to put them on tonight and so I offered to do it for her as I tucked her in.

"I was so excited when you were a little baby and I would put little baby socks on your feet." I told her, as I crammed and pushed and tried to put socks on her feet.

She is so wise -- because she so matter-of-factly finished the sentence for me: "They were a smaller size, though."

I realize that this isn't as funny to anyone else as it is to me -- but what it does show is that The Dictator has a refreshingly candid acceptance of her body and who she is. I pray that she keeps it -- as she grows and towers over her classmates, it's not like we can change it. And it's not like she can change it, either.

But, raising daughters, one worries about anorexia and body image and insecurities. And so I try to make her understand that everyone is different; that she is tall; that our family in particular digs tall people; and that she cannot change how she grows but she can find activities and acceptance of who she is.

That's why we encourage volleyball -- a good sport for tall girls.

And why I let both girls watch America's Next Top Model -- my "teachable moments" -- about healthy body image, about being tall and graceful and comfortable in your own skin, about healthy vs. non-healthy eating, about mean girls and their repercussions, and about how not to say "bitch" because they say that a lot on that show.