I’m just aghast at the following media query I received:
“Mothers everywhere know that “she looks good…for a mom” is not the ideal compliment. Women want to look and feel attractive with no disclaimer attached. This bikini season, instead of hiding stretch marks and sagging skin with a full coverage one-piece, why not get rid of that problem pouch with a tummy tuck! Or, let a breast augmentation give tired, baby-feeding breasts a boost.
“My client, a Los Angeles based plastic surgeon, is constantly meeting with mothers who love their kids but not the body baggage they left behind and wants to help them get rid of the unwanted weight. He also understands that surgery is a major step and has an onsite spa for those mommies that are considering procedures but not completely comfortable with it. This is an easy, relaxing, and comfortable way to get to know the doctor and his staff.”
It’s not a mistake, either. The query from the public relations professional (I use that phrase loosely, but I’ll explain that in a sec) closes with:
“When mom is happy, everyone else is too! Make your Attachment Parenting Blog readers happy with my client.
“Let me know if you have any questions or would like to talk with the doctor.”
Well, my first question would be are you out of your mind?
When you’re a new parent, the last thing you need to have society pressuring you about is your appearance, and feeding into that angst and BS is the very last thing we’re concerned with on this weblog. Further, I suppose that this is consistent with the American approach of “magic pills” rather than putting in actual effort, but why wouldn’t we promote exercise regimes that help new moms get back into shape rather than tummy tucks and breast augmentation? And what about the message you’d be sending your children when they watch “mommy” have a plastic surgery procedure [learn more here] so she can hopefully feel better about herself?
Blech. The entire concept just makes me nauseated.
And in terms of Pop Culture PR (at popculturepr.com) who sent this to us, well, good PR involves targeting an audience that is both interested and likely to favorably receive your message, something that they clearly did not do before identifying us as a recipient.
It’s worth noting that they didn’t actually name the surgeon in the press release they sent us, or even share the URL of the “online mommies spa” Web site…
My visceral reaction to the whole marketing approach of this plastic surgeon might not match your own, we realize. What’s your opinion of the services offered and the whole “she looks good for a mom” positioning of this Los Angeles-based plastic surgeon?
While it is not my cup of tea, to each her own, if someone wants a boob job or a tummy tuck, has the money and thinks it will make life better for her and her family, I say go girl. I personally think that embracing the body I have (saggy, wrinkly and stretched as it is) and making the most of it is the way to go, not to mention all the money I save. I am also for looking good for a mom, I take my compliments any way I can get them disclaimers and all.
Beautiful for a mom… hmm. I’m not sure that means much to me since all of my girlfriends are moms! Some are quite beautiful too… as they were before motherhood.
As for going “under the knife” – why cut and sewca perfectly healthy body? I’ll save that (heaven forbid) for more life saving procedures!
I read this, and thought: AMEN.
I just thought I’d tip you off to one of my fave sites to the “mother body” and how it is very rapidly being embraced…
http://www.shapeofamother.blogspot.com
It’s fantastic: real women, with real stretch marks, tummy pooch, and saggy skin, sharing photos of themselves, and truly accepting themselves as beautiful.