Woman urges 'naked' moms to 'love the skin' they are in and her message is as real as it gets

Growing up, many of us may recall moments with our parents that shaped our perceptions of self-image. For those who had the privilege of seeing their mothers in their most natural state, it was an experience marked by love, acceptance and a sense of security. Mothers, in all their vulnerability, were our role models of beauty, strength, and comfort. But as grown-ups now, it is worth reflecting on whether we uphold the same self-love and acceptance we once witnessed in our mothers.

Recently, Renee Benes - who goes on TikTok by @renee.benes - shared a poignant message about her childhood experiences on the platform. She recounted how her mother unapologetically got "naked" in front of her when he was a baby and would go about her morning routine, drying her hair or preparing for the day. Young Benes never saw her mother's body as anything but beautiful. However, her mother's self-deprecating comments left a lasting mark. "Take care of yourself so you don't end up looking like this," her mother would jest. But, what Bene's mother might not have realized was the profound impact these remarks had on her daughter's self-image.

Bene's revelation underscores an essential truth: the way we talk about our own bodies can profoundly influence how our children perceive their own. "Mamas, our babies think that we are beautiful. And I know it's hard, but when we put ourselves down, we are also putting down any future version of them, which looks like we do," she said realistically. By inadvertently teaching our children to judge themselves based on our self-judgment, we transmit a powerful message. To raise kind, body-positive children, we must let them hear us speak about the incredible capabilities and strengths of our bodies, free from self-criticism.

Being a "naked mom," in the sense of letting our children witness our bodies in their authentic form, can be a healthy practice. In the caption of her video, she wrote: "Just another call to body positivity and loving the skin that we are in. Especially if you have a little one who adores you." The video has garnered internet attention and gained 1.5M views and nearly 138K likes.

People on the platform are quick to share their opinions. @mamasgotyou28 commented on her video and said, "So true. I call my stretch marks lifelines and growth marks because if my daughter gets them I don't want her to feel insecure." Another user, @ashleynshackelford, spoke about how she follows this method too, "Yes. I never say anything bad about my body to my kids (even if I'm thinking it) and I continue to remind them how beautiful they are."

Benes' story serves as a powerful reminder of the influence parents wield in shaping their children's self-image. Another user, @meteorstreetstudio, commented on how she still has body image issues, saying: "My mom always put herself down constantly. I had insane body image issues as a teen and 20-something." @triple_l_1261, added to that, saying, "My mom had a tummy tuck + weight loss surgery and I didn't know it for years and I always wondered why I didn't look like that."