I used to just feel a bit sorry for Michelle Bridges. When she sprouts nonsense like "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" - a triumph of the inane - all I could think was "lady, you need better recipes. Acitvated almonds and sprouts are not a meal". But it's okay. Her view on the world is different from mine. I believe enjoyment of good food is one of the very best things about being alive, she believes having a good body is more important than availing oneself of such pleasures. That's fine.
But then, in this piece on Daily Life, she decides to apply her wisdom to parenting as well. Helicopter parenting produces fat kids, she has decided. And I got to thinking about what, precisely, is wrong with Michelle Bridges' view of the world. Now, I don't fall into the school of thought that people without children are not entitled to an opinion on raising them. But I rankle at the idea of Michelle Bridges doling out shame and guilt on how others raise their kids. What makes her so perfect?
Nothing. Nothing at all. I find her entire worldview glorifies shallowness and aesthetics. Bridges offers a hugely popular twelve week body improvement course which is all about "building a better you". But her better you is not achieved through introspection, volunteer work, activism, or being a better family member or neighbour. It's all about going to the gym. The person you are is defined by the body you have. Fat is a sign of weakness and shame, to be eliminated. I can only feel a vague sense of sorrow as I read of people proudly boasting of getting up to go to the gym at 5:30am. If only all that effort was put into really improving themselves and the world, instead of just physiques! I'm sure they'd say "well if it makes me feel better, what's the harm?". And I can understand, a bit. I had a horror birth with BabyG, and jogging was an important part of my recovery that helped me feel my body was "mine" again. But I understood it was not making me a better person. Just a person who went running. (And if we're going to get into aesthetics here - I'm sorry Ms Bridges, but heavy exercise is ageing. And you are no exception).
Like I say, I'd live and let live. If people are going to spend time on themselves, exercising is surely better than playing poker machines or watching DVD box sets. But I'm sick of all this "best version of yourself" crud applied to parenting. Sorry, but I think Ms Bridges' values are so skewed that she's no right to decide how others raise their kids. And am I the only one who's pretty bloody disturbed at the idea of children being subjected to an "arduous training session"? If your kids could do with a bit of exercise, get out and play a family game in the garden. If they're old enough, take them along to volunteer for a neighbourhood regeneration program. But keep them away from the insipid, shallow values of Michelle Bridges.
But then, in this piece on Daily Life, she decides to apply her wisdom to parenting as well. Helicopter parenting produces fat kids, she has decided. And I got to thinking about what, precisely, is wrong with Michelle Bridges' view of the world. Now, I don't fall into the school of thought that people without children are not entitled to an opinion on raising them. But I rankle at the idea of Michelle Bridges doling out shame and guilt on how others raise their kids. What makes her so perfect?
Nothing. Nothing at all. I find her entire worldview glorifies shallowness and aesthetics. Bridges offers a hugely popular twelve week body improvement course which is all about "building a better you". But her better you is not achieved through introspection, volunteer work, activism, or being a better family member or neighbour. It's all about going to the gym. The person you are is defined by the body you have. Fat is a sign of weakness and shame, to be eliminated. I can only feel a vague sense of sorrow as I read of people proudly boasting of getting up to go to the gym at 5:30am. If only all that effort was put into really improving themselves and the world, instead of just physiques! I'm sure they'd say "well if it makes me feel better, what's the harm?". And I can understand, a bit. I had a horror birth with BabyG, and jogging was an important part of my recovery that helped me feel my body was "mine" again. But I understood it was not making me a better person. Just a person who went running. (And if we're going to get into aesthetics here - I'm sorry Ms Bridges, but heavy exercise is ageing. And you are no exception).
Like I say, I'd live and let live. If people are going to spend time on themselves, exercising is surely better than playing poker machines or watching DVD box sets. But I'm sick of all this "best version of yourself" crud applied to parenting. Sorry, but I think Ms Bridges' values are so skewed that she's no right to decide how others raise their kids. And am I the only one who's pretty bloody disturbed at the idea of children being subjected to an "arduous training session"? If your kids could do with a bit of exercise, get out and play a family game in the garden. If they're old enough, take them along to volunteer for a neighbourhood regeneration program. But keep them away from the insipid, shallow values of Michelle Bridges.
