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The Beauty Double-Bind: Part 1

Modified on February 9, 2010 at 12:27 PM

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Image From the ‘Dove Real Beauty’ Campaign

“When I looked in the mirror, it was like cutting my body up into different pieces and evaluating the pieces, as if it was some sort of thing … I would really focus on different parts and then rip those parts apart, being hypercritical. It was a violent way to look at my body. ” From the book “Sacrificing Ourselves For Love”

There once was a zen master who acquired a new student who was very eager to learn. The new student explained that he wanted to learn all that there was to learn and to know the very secrets of the universe. As the zen master scratched his beard inquisitively, he replied to the student, “Very well. I will teach you all you need to know, and we will have a tea ceremony every day precisely at 4pm, and your presence will be required”.

That sounded fair enough to the student and he was overjoyed to be under the instruction of such a wise man. The zen master and his student had tea precisely every day at 4pm. Each day, the master held a long, gnarled walking stick in his hand. And, each day, after the tea was poured, the master announced, “If you drink the tea that you have been given, I will beat you with this stick”. The student looked terrified. “Conversely, if you do not drink the tea set before you, I will also beat you with the stick”. Now the student WAS terrified. Either way, the student would receive a beating with the master’s stick. This is certainly not what the student had signed up for, nor was it his idea of learning. But, he trusted the master’s plan.

On some days, the student surmised that since he was going to receive a beating, he’d at least enjoy the tea, and he drank up. And he always received a beating after he drank the tea. Other days, he was so anxious about the impending doom, he lost his appetite and didn’t drink the tea. He still received a beating.

One day, the student decided that he was plain fed-up with the way he was being treated and he had the bruises to show for it, too. He thought about walking out on the zen master and finding another teacher, but he just didn’t have the courage to do it. Would he receive an even bigger beating if he left? The student felt stuck and victimized. The unfortunate student could feel his anger welling up in his throat.

That day, as the tea was poured, the student seethed and would not break the master’s gaze. He was attempting to stare the master down. The student eyed the walking stick and braced himself for pain. After the tea was poured, the master reached for his stick, with a dour, serious expression, and raised his stick forebodingly in the air.

In an instant, the student sprang to his feet and wrangled the stick away from the master. He took the stick and broke it in two pieces and threw it away, all before the master’s eyes. All of a sudden, the student filled with intense fear– he had just broken the master’s stick. Now, he was REALLY going to get it.

But, to the student’s surprise, the master’s eyes lighted up and a large smile broke the master’s dour expression. The student looked puzzled as his own fear started to subside. The student didn’t understand why the master would smile. What did it all mean?

The master looked his student in the eye and said, “You are now free to go. You have now learned ALL that you will ever need to learn”. And with that, the student went on his merry way, never to see the zen master again.

The story above, which I have edited from another text, illustrates what is called the “double-bind situation”. A double-bind situation is a situation or circumstance where you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. You’re in a catch 22. You SEEM to be trapped. But, the story of the stick teaches us that, truly, there are no real double-bind situations if we can just FIND THE STICK and have the courage to TAKE IT AWAY.

The current beauty standard that women are supposed to live up to is a classic double-bind situation. You see, we are told to be thin and to have a flat stomach and slender thighs. But, the flat stomach is supposed to be accompanied by a DDD bra size and a round behind. Now, most women who are extremely thin do not have such a body type naturally. Then there are the girls with natural DDD breasts and round behinds. They usually do not have extremely slender thighs and wash-board stomachs. To acquire a flat stomach and slender thighs, they would need to enlist the help of tummy tucks and liposuction. And did I mention that their DDD breasts also have to be perfectly perky, round, and defy gravity all at the same time? Did I mention that the stomach also has to be a six-pack and perfectly muscular? Did I mention that the woman’s behind must be round but cannot have any fatty tissue on it?

Victoria’s Secret Models Illustrating My Point

Oh, and that’s just the body part. What about a woman’s face?

Well, really, that depends on what month it is. Sometimes, Cosmopolitan is featuring Angelina Jolie as the current flavor of the month, along with her angular features, pillow-esque lips, and round eyes.

Another month, they are featuring the oval face of Scarlett Johannsen, with her pouty lips, and almond shaped-eyes. The beauty standard changes monthly and even conflicts from magazine to magazine, depending on which one you’re reading.

This would all be fine, if we happened to have faces made of play-dough, that we could mould at the fashion industry’s whim. It would also be ‘fine’ if we were like Mrs. Potato Head and had detachable, re-arrangeable faces. Just think, a whole industry could be built around 100 different pairs of removable lips and eyes, noses and ears.

β€œIt is better to be beautiful than to be good, but it is better to be good than to be ugly.” -Oscar Wilde

I suppose we could get plastic surgery each month, that is IF we had such a disposable income. And even if we did, we’d end up looking like Joan Rivers. I have nothing against Joan Rivers, she is a type of survivor and it’s a shame that she has allowed Hollywood’s dictates to re-arrange her face in order for her to CONTINUE to have work in ‘the business’. Even though her lively-hood is based on her quick wit and perceptive sense of humor, she is still expected to live up to the unrealistic expectation of NOT aging.

Joan Rivers With Some Plastic Surgery and Then With Even More

β€œMost urgently, women’s identity must be premised upon our “beauty” so that we will remain vulnerable to outside approval, carrying the vital sensitive organ of self-esteem exposed to the air” -The Beauty Myth- Naomi Wolfe

So, where’s the stick you say? I hinted at it in my last article when I talked about beauty being more than a woman’s dress size. After realizing how much this message resonated with readers, I decided to write a short series about how to get out of this beauty double-bind. Instead of feeling just adequate about ourselves, we are going to feel GOOD about ourselves.

Part 1: Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty, — that is all. -John Keats

The poet John Keats implies that beauty and truth are interchangeable, but that would also imply that they include each other. So, it would follow that nothing can be beautiful UNLESS IT IS ALSO TRUTHFUL.

And if this is so, where then do today’s media images come into play? Before I started researching the alteration of the images presented to us in the media, I didn’t realize to what extent they are re-made. The very female stars and fashion models we look up to and pine to look like don’t even look like themselves. They are air-brushed to death. I knew this intuitively, but I went searching for some images of popular singers, actresses and models PRE-photoshop and POST-photoshop. I found a wealth of images on a French website. The images below speak for themselves, but I will make a short commentary on each one.

(Photos copyrighted to their respective owners)

ALSO, please let me preface this photo-essay with the fact that I find each and every one of these women beautiful PRIOR to them being photoshopped. Also, I employ much sarcasm in my commentary.

Image 1: How would like to be able to lose 100 pounds within the matter of an afternoon? Photoshop makes it entirely possible!

Image 2: Put Your Local Plastic Surgeon Out of a Job! Gee, in these recessionary times, a girl just can’t afford to keep her plastic surgeon in the monthly budget!

Image 3: Have the Skin You Have Always Dreamed of Without Retin-A

Image 4: Late Night Drinking Binges Got You Down? — Well, then photoshop is Britney’s new BFF!

Image 5: Don’t Worry, Photoshop Has Kim Kardashian’s Back, Even if Paris Hilton Doesn’t

Image 6: Oh Scarlet- Where Did Your Thighs Go?

Image 7: Britney- Your Hip Bones Look Positively Stunning

Image 8: Hey Photoshop, Jay-Z Put a Ring on Beyonce’s REAL Body, Not the Version with Her Hips and Booty and Thighs Removed

As we see, there is even a large discrepancy between what these beautiful women look like in real-life and their photoshopped selves.

I was talking to my friend Scott one day and I asked him what he thought of the models and actresses on magazine covers. I especially like to talk to James because he doesn’t mince words on any topic. He shuddered, and said, “Uccckkk! Those women all look so ANGRY.” I asked him to explain and he said that their faces looked unnaturally angry to him, and this definitely was not sexy. I asked him what he thought of Megan Fox. He didn’t know who that was, so I showed him a picture. His comment? “If she walked into a room, my libido would be killed and I’d have a hard time getting it back.” I told him that Megan Fox was one of the girls of the moment and that most men would go to the ends of the earth for her. His response, “She looks mean and selfish, she has NO curves, and all of the make-up she is wearing is just gross. There might be someone pretty underneath all of that but I highly doubt it”.

James’ comments certainly piqued my interest for two reasons.

1) I have met few men who don’t like the ‘look’ that is represented in the mass media.

2) James is highly successful, intelligent, happily-married, and well-dressed.

So, I asked James what an attractive woman looked like. Aside from the obvious, that is, his wife, he stated that he likes women with curves and lots of them. He likes women his own age, (in their forties), and who are generally between a size 10 and 14. He likes hips and added that his wife’s body got even more beautiful after bearing children. I asked him to tell me more about that. “Stretch marks are sexy. I don’t get what the big deal is about stretch marks and how people are hung up on them. A woman having a child is amazing and it’s wonderful that her body can reflect the wonderful force of creativity within her”, he said. I told him that there was a million dollar market dedicated just to women getting rid of stretch marks. He just shook his head. “Give me a woman who has had a few kids any day. There aren’t two ways about it– their bodies are just gorgeous”.

I told James I was likely going to blog about his perspective and he thought that was great. I told him there are more women out there than he could ever know who feel bad about their appearance. His response to that was, “All women are gorgeous just the way they are. I love women. I love everything about them. They’re soft, they’re warm, they’re kind, and gentle. They are everything a man is not and that’s so incredible. Women are a miracle to me”.

Then there’s my dad. He always told me when I was growing up that the man I marry needed to accept me ‘warts and all’. I didn’t have any warts to speak of and didn’t know what he was talking about. My dad explained that people you fall in love with are irreplaceable and it does not matter if they don’t meet this standard of beauty or that standard of beauty. And when you’re in love, you accept everything about that person. You wouldn’t change a thing. He told me the women he found to be the most attractive were women in jeans who wore their hair long and un-styled and wore no make-up. He didn’t like ‘fussy beauty’ and he did not understand high fashion. When I was in high school, I would point to the models and tell him they must be the most beautiful or they wouldn’t have jobs as models. His response was, “No, they are working as models because they are built like clothes hangers. The clothes designers are currently making only look good on actual clothes hangers, and so they select models who also look like clothes hangers”.

So far, I have two examples of men I know who don’t buy into the current beauty standard, and I am sure there are many more. Since a large part of the female population is married, and since only .01% of the female population could actually fit into the fashion model mold, then it would follow that many men love and marry women who do not look anything like models.

So why then are women trying to mold themselves after such an unrealistic and unattainable ideal? I am going to explore that in Part 2 of my post which is coming soon. So, please stay tuned, and PLEASE leave comments in the feedback section. I would love to know what’s on your mind.

Blessings,
Sarah Polyakov

Related posts:

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Posted By Sarah Polyakov
on February 9, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Filed Under: Body Shapes
Tagged With: body image, Body Shapes, models, photoshop

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Comments

  1. annie tumlin says

    February 9, 2010 at 9:46 AM

    what a great article.. there need to be soo many more like it, and brought to the attention of more people. today’s obession with beauty is sickening and has such a negative effect on the way young girls think and dress and act… even for women we are constantly comparing ourselves with these “fake” images. i know it’s been a struggle for me. my husband is a lot like james so i feel very lucky to always have his support and loving comments about my body, but even with his overwhelming love i still struggle to make peace with my unperfect stomach because i am comparing it to victoria’s secret models and celebrities. completely a waste of time, i know.. but just want to say what good deed you’re doing for women by posting articles like this one.

  2. fashionfreak says

    February 9, 2010 at 12:43 PM

    I think this poses some very valid points1 But at the same time, why does a guys head turn when a beautifully madeup girl with breast enhancements walks by? And they tell us they like us to look “natural”?

  3. fashionfreak says

    February 9, 2010 at 12:49 PM

    Let’s face it, it’s hard to age. Anyoone can say that lines and wrinkles give your face character. but it’s one thing to say it, another to embrace and believe it! I think a little help is fine, its when we don’t know when to say enough. Remember, moderation in all things is necessary!

  4. sarah polyakov says

    February 9, 2010 at 7:04 PM

    Fashionfreak,
    You bring up a good question. Why does a guy’s head turn when a beautifully made up woman with breast enhancements walks by?

    I asked James this very question when he was talking about how he loves a woman’s body after she has children. I said that surely he would look at a gorgeous, magazine perfect woman in a bikini if she walked by.

    His answer was that he sure would look at her, and even ogle her. But, at the end of the day, it’s his wife’s body that he prefers. He stressed that what men happen to look at and what men want TO BE WITH can be two different things entirely. I said I didn’t quite understand that paradox, but he chalked it up to the fact that all women are beautiful in his eyes and he doesn’t mind looking. But, at the end of the day, he VASTLY prefers a woman who looks his age and who has an un-altered body. Mind you, I am just presenting one man’s opinion, which is certainly not how it is for everyone.
    Sarah P.

  5. Angeline says

    February 10, 2010 at 9:05 AM

    I don’t like harping on “the media” for promoting unattainable beauty ideals. I think it is an unfair, unproductive, finger-pointing argument that overlooks the purpose of entertainment. Television, fashion magazines, movies, movie stars, models, they all exist to entertain us. Like it or not, people love to escape into a pretend world where everything is beautiful and perfect. The media has always provided escapism for the general public. That is why during the Great Depression the movie industry (complete with gorgeous, glamorous movie stars playing impossibly wealthy characters) was one of the only industries that continued to thrive. People would save up and pay what little money they had to be transported to a fantasy world for just a short time.

    Of course once you step out of the fantasy you must face the fact that your life isn’t as perfect as the fantasy seems to be. I think it is productive that you have pointed out that the fantasy is indeed a fantasy. I think it is equally of value to encourage people to realize how beautiful most people look when they paint themselves with self confidence (confidence makes everyone look sexy). But confidence is an attitude shift that people have to decide to try for themselves or find in their own way. I would stop short of blaming the media for being an impedance. It is people’s own personal responsibility to be savvy media consumers, not the media’s job to babysit the viewer’s egos.
    .-= AngelineΒ΄s last blog ..Urging Surgeon General To Make Outdoor Time Health Priority =-.

  6. Angeline says

    February 10, 2010 at 9:15 AM

    Fashion Freak,
    There have been many many studies done about why mens’ heads turn when they see certain body types, blonde hair, etc. It has to do with the primordial male brain saying, “There is a ripe potential child bearing mate. Go get her!” It isn’t mysterious. And you can’t change human DNA and male instinct. We can, as women, however, and as Sarah points out, choose not to focus on it (break the stick as it were). Just get on with being and feeling as beautiful as we can, lift the chin, walk with the shoulders back, and show the world that we know we’re something pretty special. People gravitate toward that kind of beauty even if it doesn’t contain breast enhancements. No amount of breast enhancements or cosmetic surgery will help a self-hating, mumbling, nail biting, wall flower get what she’s looking for.
    .-= AngelineΒ΄s last blog ..Urging Surgeon General To Make Outdoor Time Health Priority =-.

  7. All Women Stalker says

    February 10, 2010 at 10:11 AM

    That was indeed very enlightening. Love the story of the zen master and his student. Thanks for sharing this!

  8. Jean Parks says

    February 12, 2010 at 1:07 AM

    TI think people have always been and will continue to be visually drawn to pretty people. The problem with going along with and believing in the double bind is that it puts blinders on folks.. they end up missing all sorts of beauty.

    There is beauty in the 1st blush of youth.. and beauty in the eyes of a 83 yr old who’s lived a rich life, to everything there is a season.. and all seasons are unique and beautiful in their own ways.

  9. Peggy Gorman says

    February 13, 2010 at 9:48 AM

    So well said! I am so surprised that woman try to cover up their beauty , change and try to be something they are not. Beauty comes from the heart and I am fluffy,lovable and most of all huggable! If I want my bones to show ,Ill get an x-ray!
    .-= Peggy GormanΒ΄s last blog ..HP ‘s Create Change Campaign, it’s time to create change in your world! =-.

  10. Sarah M says

    March 26, 2010 at 11:40 AM

    This article is genius.
    check out my response here:
    http://theoutfitmaker.blogspot.com/2010/03/doves-campaign-for-real-beauty.html

    :)

    i LoVE the Dove campaign!

  11. Air Jordan says

    June 2, 2010 at 9:32 PM

    I am only shocked to know how much of resources I received on this specific topic. I’m so particularly thankful of you. The one thing I can point out that, after reading this post I acquired rescued from the total useless search I ought to have done on this problem. Your post is a authentic good thing in disguise.

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#holyweek #jesuschrist #churchathome #goodfriday #heisrisen ⁣#passionweek #lent #prayers #fasting #almsgiving #lentenseason #livingliturgically #40daysofprayer #40daysoflent #theologyofhome #christianhomemaker #domesticchurch #goodfridayvibes #homealtar #christiandecor #passionofthechrist #passionofchrist
Want this to be the best Easter ever?!!! Grab your Want this to be the best Easter ever?!!! Grab your child the @bentleytrike while it’s still 20% off and they can enjoy it all summer long!!!!! 

Use the code EASTER20 to save 20% off this week!!

🐰 Grows with your child from 6 mos to 5 Years!
🐰 Officially Licensed Bentley Product
🐰 Rated 5 out of 5 with 600+ reviews

Order it today and get it in 2-7 business days with free shipping!!! Act fast! πŸ’ƒπŸΌ 

What are you waiting for?! β˜€οΈπŸš΄πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

#bentleytrike #easterbasket #easterbasketideas #springvibes #outdoortoys #toddlerlife #toddleractivities #toddlermom #momsofinstagram #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodrising #outdoorliving #kidswhoexplore #adventurefamily
We are already dreaming about going back to @story We are already dreaming about going back to @storylandnh! πŸ₯³πŸ€©

Last year we took our @wonderfoldwagon and it was a total game changer with five kids! (Especially our autistic son!) It made trucking all of our children around the theme park 100 times easier. 

I’m so glad I got the four seater wagon despite some people saying it would be too big. It has room for absolutely everything we need to take with us including a cooler full of food for our family of seven. 

I can’t wait to see all of the fun adventures we will have this summer with our Wonderful Wagon. 

Use The link in our profile to purchase your Wonderfold Wagon and use discount code BALLARD to save! πŸ’° 

#storylandnh #wonderfoldwagon #wonderfoldlife #wonderfoldfamily #largefamily #bigfamily #momof5 #autismmom #autismmoms #newhampshire #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodmoments #wagonlife
In these uncertain times we live in, it sometimes In these uncertain times we live in, it sometimes seems silly to decorate or worry about how things β€œlook” but you have to remember that changing the world starts at home. Being a homemaker is an important and often overlooked job. Home is the starting point for love, life, and dreams. So go ahead and make your home look good! 

There’s no place like home. 🏠❀️

#americanhousewife #homemaker #homemakers #momlifeunfiltered #farmhouseinspired #myhomevibe #myhousebeautiful #shareyourdecorwithme #shareyourhomestyle #farmhousestyledecor #magnoliatable #theologyofhome #christianhomedecor #christianhomemaker
🚨STOP RIGHT THERE!🚨 Did you know that your 🚨STOP RIGHT THERE!🚨

Did you know that your Teflon non stick cookware releases toxic fumes when heated to certain temperatures? Even worse, that nonstick coating actually breaks down every time you cook and can get into your food! Yuck! 🀒 

It’s time to rethink your cookware. πŸ’ƒπŸΌ

If you want 100% nontoxic, nonstick cookware that is safe for the whole family, it’s time to get @caraway_home bakeware and cookware!!!!!! πŸŽ‰

Caraway delivers 100% non-toxic, non-stick ceramic cookware that not only looks excellent in your kitchen, it won’t poison your food while you’re cooking with it! WIN WIN! πŸ™ŒπŸ»

Their entire line of Cookware and Bakeware come in a range of gorgeous on-trend colors, AND their Sets come with storage organizers at no extra cost! 🀯

I never thought I would be so excited about pots and pans but here I am living the housewife dream. πŸ˜† 

I’m telling you, these pans are so amazing they literally clean up with a paper towel for most of the meals I cook with them! 

πŸŽ‰ Go check out my stories to get 10% OFF your order! πŸŽ‰

You can buy individual pieces or get the whole cookware set in order to get their exclusive storage organizers at no extra cost. Just click the link in my stories and your discount will automatically be applied to your order - no coupon code needed! 

Hurry, this special discount expires TOMORROW! πŸ’ƒπŸΌ 

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#caraway #carawayhome #carawaypartner #cleaneating #cookware #bakeware #neutralkitchen #neutralhome #neutraldecor #neutralhomedecor #kitchenrenovation #kitchenmusthaves #farmhousekitchen #farmhousedecor #kitchenessentials #farmhouseliving #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #homechef #homecook #carawaycookware #easycooking #cookathome #homedecor #homemaker #nhblogger #momblogger #momlife

fashionablewife

π’―π’½β„―β„±π’Άπ“ˆπ’½π’Ύβ„΄π“ƒπ’Άπ’·π“β„―β„‹β„΄π“Šπ“ˆβ„―π“Œπ’Ύπ’»β„―
Christian, Wife, Mama x 5. livin' in NH
Fashion, Food, Health, & Home
βœ‰οΈ Email me, let’s work together!

π•Šπ•’π•£π•’π•™ | Fashionable Homemaker & Mom of 5
Don’t you just love it when the kitchen is clean Don’t you just love it when the kitchen is clean?

It only lasts about 2 hours in this house so I gotta snap a pic before it gets messed up again! πŸ€ͺ🀣

If you haven’t upgraded your kitchen (and your life) with @caraway_home cookware then you’re missing out on the best non stick non toxic cookware on the market. 

Get rid of your Teflon πŸ™…πŸΌβ€β™€οΈ

Ditch the chemicals 🀒

Throw out the ugly 😡

Don’t wait any longer to elevate your cooking with the most talked about, most loved cookware the world has ever seen. 

This cookware set has sold out 10+ times (the limited-edition color for Crate & Barrel
sold out in under 5 hours!) and the bakeware has barely been in stock since its launch! (So glad I got mine December!)

Head to my stories for the link to grab a discount on these sensational pans! πŸ’ƒπŸΌ 

#caraway #carawayhome #carawayambassador #carawaycookware #nontoxicliving #nontoxichome #homemakerlife #homecooking #cleaneating #mybhghome #mybhgstyle #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyledecor #farmhousestyle #farmlifestyle #homesteadlife #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #neutralhome #kitchendesign #kitchensofinstagram #kitchenideas #kitchengoals
🚨STOP what you’re doing and read this! πŸ‘‡πŸ»

You know how they say β€œEarth Day Is Every Day”? Well, that’s because you shouldn’t only think about swapping out your toxic cleaning supplies and pledging to use reusable bags only on Earth Day. That’s just one day a year and if we really want to be more eco-conscious, we need to make small changes every day towards caring for ourselves and the earth.

One small step you can take is investing in eco-friendly fashion. But where do you start?

A @jeltbelt! Not only are Jelt Belts designed sustainably, with comfortable, premium elastic that is made from recycled plastic bottles, they are also flat and don’t show under clothes! Best of all, they are completely metal-free and hypoallergenic. 

Finally a belt that fits great and doesn't pinch, dig, or slide up! I love it! Definitely a wardrobe staple.

Read more about this belt in today's post on the blog! Link in bio.

Get a 15% discount on your order with code SARAH15 - link in my stories! πŸ₯³

Share this post to help spread the news! πŸ₯³

#jelting #ecofriendlyfashion #springisintheair #springtime #springfashion #ecofashion #sustainability #sustainablefashion #recycledmaterials #belts #sustainablebelt #sustainablebrand #fashioninspo #madeintheusa #recycledfashion #nhblogger #nhbloggerstyle #styleoftheday #fashiongram #whatiwear #ootd #ootdshare #ootdstyle #ootdfashion
I recently added the @DeltaChildren PerfectSize 3- I recently added the @DeltaChildren PerfectSize 3-in-1 Convertible Sink to my downstairs bathroom to make unassisted handwashing more accessible for my two youngest kids (ages 2 and almost 5). 

Our downstairs half bath is TINY but because of the compact size of the convertible sink, we managed to slide the sink in right next to our @NubyUSA potty. And yes, the bathroom door still closes! 

We have a faucet extender and step stool at the regular sink, but this has made handwashing a novelty for the boys since it's right at their level and right next to their potty. It's the perfect height for both my 2-year-old son AND my autistic son who is almost 5 years old (pictured). ♾️

It holds enough water in the upper tank for both children to wash and rinse their hands once each and the holding tank in the back for the gray water is easy to empty into the sink or toilet when they are done. If they just want to play with the water and their hands aren't actually dirty, I just pour the "gray water" back into the upper holding tank and let them play with it again to conserve water. (An important lesson and learning opportunity for Earth Week) πŸ’¦

In addition to being a great addition to a Montessori bathroom setup, you can also convert the Delta Children sink into a step stool and then use the upper part as a bath toy because it's shaped conveniently to sit on the side of the tub. 

Will link to the sink and potty in my stories! 🚽🚰

Do you have a Montessori setup at home for your child? Tell me in the comments! πŸ‘‡

#practicallife #selfcarestation #montessoriathome #montessoripracticallife #montessorimom #montessoritoddler #preschoolathome #deltachildren #pottytraining #pottylearning #childdevelopment #montessorispaces #earlychildhoodeducation #earlylearning #learningthroughplay #homeschoolpreschool #childledlearning #nubyusa #earlyyears #smallspaceliving #montessoriinspired #toddleractivity #practicallifeskills #montessoriactivity #playandlearntoday #tinyliving #momblogger
π”Έπ•π•π•–π•π•¦π•šπ•’! ℍ𝕖 π•šπ•€ π”Έπ•π•π•–π•π•¦π•šπ•’! ℍ𝕖 π•šπ•€ π•£π•šπ•€π•–π•Ÿ!

It’s always quite the effort to take a family picture, but even harder when you need to use a tripod! 🀣 This is the best we could do! πŸ€·πŸΌβ€β™€οΈπŸ€ͺ

#heisrisen #alleluia #largefamily #bigfamily #5kids #momof5 #momsofinstagram #momsofig #homemaker #homeschoolfamily #blessedbeyondmeasure #blessedisshe #bigfamilylife #largefamilylife #largefamilymom #giftsfromgod
β€œUnless there is a Good Friday in your life, the β€œUnless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.”
- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

β€œHe himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” - 1 Peter‬ ‭2:24‬ 

Let us not forget the significance of Good Friday. For on this day, Jesus was thinking about YOU! 
.
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
#holyweek #jesuschrist #churchathome #goodfriday #heisrisen ⁣#passionweek #lent #prayers #fasting #almsgiving #lentenseason #livingliturgically #40daysofprayer #40daysoflent #theologyofhome #christianhomemaker #domesticchurch #goodfridayvibes #homealtar #christiandecor #passionofthechrist #passionofchrist
Want this to be the best Easter ever?!!! Grab your Want this to be the best Easter ever?!!! Grab your child the @bentleytrike while it’s still 20% off and they can enjoy it all summer long!!!!! 

Use the code EASTER20 to save 20% off this week!!

🐰 Grows with your child from 6 mos to 5 Years!
🐰 Officially Licensed Bentley Product
🐰 Rated 5 out of 5 with 600+ reviews

Order it today and get it in 2-7 business days with free shipping!!! Act fast! πŸ’ƒπŸΌ 

What are you waiting for?! β˜€οΈπŸš΄πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

#bentleytrike #easterbasket #easterbasketideas #springvibes #outdoortoys #toddlerlife #toddleractivities #toddlermom #momsofinstagram #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodrising #outdoorliving #kidswhoexplore #adventurefamily
We are already dreaming about going back to @story We are already dreaming about going back to @storylandnh! πŸ₯³πŸ€©

Last year we took our @wonderfoldwagon and it was a total game changer with five kids! (Especially our autistic son!) It made trucking all of our children around the theme park 100 times easier. 

I’m so glad I got the four seater wagon despite some people saying it would be too big. It has room for absolutely everything we need to take with us including a cooler full of food for our family of seven. 

I can’t wait to see all of the fun adventures we will have this summer with our Wonderful Wagon. 

Use The link in our profile to purchase your Wonderfold Wagon and use discount code BALLARD to save! πŸ’° 

#storylandnh #wonderfoldwagon #wonderfoldlife #wonderfoldfamily #largefamily #bigfamily #momof5 #autismmom #autismmoms #newhampshire #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodmoments #wagonlife
In these uncertain times we live in, it sometimes In these uncertain times we live in, it sometimes seems silly to decorate or worry about how things β€œlook” but you have to remember that changing the world starts at home. Being a homemaker is an important and often overlooked job. Home is the starting point for love, life, and dreams. So go ahead and make your home look good! 

There’s no place like home. 🏠❀️

#americanhousewife #homemaker #homemakers #momlifeunfiltered #farmhouseinspired #myhomevibe #myhousebeautiful #shareyourdecorwithme #shareyourhomestyle #farmhousestyledecor #magnoliatable #theologyofhome #christianhomedecor #christianhomemaker

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Don’t you just love it when the kitchen is clean Don’t you just love it when the kitchen is clean?

It only lasts about 2 hours in this house so I gotta snap a pic before it gets messed up again! πŸ€ͺ🀣

If you haven’t upgraded your kitchen (and your life) with @caraway_home cookware then you’re missing out on the best non stick non toxic cookware on the market. 

Get rid of your Teflon πŸ™…πŸΌβ€β™€οΈ

Ditch the chemicals 🀒

Throw out the ugly 😡

Don’t wait any longer to elevate your cooking with the most talked about, most loved cookware the world has ever seen. 

This cookware set has sold out 10+ times (the limited-edition color for Crate & Barrel
sold out in under 5 hours!) and the bakeware has barely been in stock since its launch! (So glad I got mine December!)

Head to my stories for the link to grab a discount on these sensational pans! πŸ’ƒπŸΌ 

#caraway #carawayhome #carawayambassador #carawaycookware #nontoxicliving #nontoxichome #homemakerlife #homecooking #cleaneating #mybhghome #mybhgstyle #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyledecor #farmhousestyle #farmlifestyle #homesteadlife #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #neutralhome #kitchendesign #kitchensofinstagram #kitchenideas #kitchengoals
🚨STOP what you’re doing and read this! πŸ‘‡πŸ»

You know how they say β€œEarth Day Is Every Day”? Well, that’s because you shouldn’t only think about swapping out your toxic cleaning supplies and pledging to use reusable bags only on Earth Day. That’s just one day a year and if we really want to be more eco-conscious, we need to make small changes every day towards caring for ourselves and the earth.

One small step you can take is investing in eco-friendly fashion. But where do you start?

A @jeltbelt! Not only are Jelt Belts designed sustainably, with comfortable, premium elastic that is made from recycled plastic bottles, they are also flat and don’t show under clothes! Best of all, they are completely metal-free and hypoallergenic. 

Finally a belt that fits great and doesn't pinch, dig, or slide up! I love it! Definitely a wardrobe staple.

Read more about this belt in today's post on the blog! Link in bio.

Get a 15% discount on your order with code SARAH15 - link in my stories! πŸ₯³

Share this post to help spread the news! πŸ₯³

#jelting #ecofriendlyfashion #springisintheair #springtime #springfashion #ecofashion #sustainability #sustainablefashion #recycledmaterials #belts #sustainablebelt #sustainablebrand #fashioninspo #madeintheusa #recycledfashion #nhblogger #nhbloggerstyle #styleoftheday #fashiongram #whatiwear #ootd #ootdshare #ootdstyle #ootdfashion
I recently added the @DeltaChildren PerfectSize 3- I recently added the @DeltaChildren PerfectSize 3-in-1 Convertible Sink to my downstairs bathroom to make unassisted handwashing more accessible for my two youngest kids (ages 2 and almost 5). 

Our downstairs half bath is TINY but because of the compact size of the convertible sink, we managed to slide the sink in right next to our @NubyUSA potty. And yes, the bathroom door still closes! 

We have a faucet extender and step stool at the regular sink, but this has made handwashing a novelty for the boys since it's right at their level and right next to their potty. It's the perfect height for both my 2-year-old son AND my autistic son who is almost 5 years old (pictured). ♾️

It holds enough water in the upper tank for both children to wash and rinse their hands once each and the holding tank in the back for the gray water is easy to empty into the sink or toilet when they are done. If they just want to play with the water and their hands aren't actually dirty, I just pour the "gray water" back into the upper holding tank and let them play with it again to conserve water. (An important lesson and learning opportunity for Earth Week) πŸ’¦

In addition to being a great addition to a Montessori bathroom setup, you can also convert the Delta Children sink into a step stool and then use the upper part as a bath toy because it's shaped conveniently to sit on the side of the tub. 

Will link to the sink and potty in my stories! 🚽🚰

Do you have a Montessori setup at home for your child? Tell me in the comments! πŸ‘‡

#practicallife #selfcarestation #montessoriathome #montessoripracticallife #montessorimom #montessoritoddler #preschoolathome #deltachildren #pottytraining #pottylearning #childdevelopment #montessorispaces #earlychildhoodeducation #earlylearning #learningthroughplay #homeschoolpreschool #childledlearning #nubyusa #earlyyears #smallspaceliving #montessoriinspired #toddleractivity #practicallifeskills #montessoriactivity #playandlearntoday #tinyliving #momblogger
π”Έπ•π•π•–π•π•¦π•šπ•’! ℍ𝕖 π•šπ•€ π”Έπ•π•π•–π•π•¦π•šπ•’! ℍ𝕖 π•šπ•€ π•£π•šπ•€π•–π•Ÿ!

It’s always quite the effort to take a family picture, but even harder when you need to use a tripod! 🀣 This is the best we could do! πŸ€·πŸΌβ€β™€οΈπŸ€ͺ

#heisrisen #alleluia #largefamily #bigfamily #5kids #momof5 #momsofinstagram #momsofig #homemaker #homeschoolfamily #blessedbeyondmeasure #blessedisshe #bigfamilylife #largefamilylife #largefamilymom #giftsfromgod
β€œUnless there is a Good Friday in your life, the β€œUnless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.”
- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

β€œHe himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” - 1 Peter‬ ‭2:24‬ 

Let us not forget the significance of Good Friday. For on this day, Jesus was thinking about YOU! 
.
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
#holyweek #jesuschrist #churchathome #goodfriday #heisrisen ⁣#passionweek #lent #prayers #fasting #almsgiving #lentenseason #livingliturgically #40daysofprayer #40daysoflent #theologyofhome #christianhomemaker #domesticchurch #goodfridayvibes #homealtar #christiandecor #passionofthechrist #passionofchrist
Want this to be the best Easter ever?!!! Grab your Want this to be the best Easter ever?!!! Grab your child the @bentleytrike while it’s still 20% off and they can enjoy it all summer long!!!!! 

Use the code EASTER20 to save 20% off this week!!

🐰 Grows with your child from 6 mos to 5 Years!
🐰 Officially Licensed Bentley Product
🐰 Rated 5 out of 5 with 600+ reviews

Order it today and get it in 2-7 business days with free shipping!!! Act fast! πŸ’ƒπŸΌ 

What are you waiting for?! β˜€οΈπŸš΄πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

#bentleytrike #easterbasket #easterbasketideas #springvibes #outdoortoys #toddlerlife #toddleractivities #toddlermom #momsofinstagram #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodrising #outdoorliving #kidswhoexplore #adventurefamily
We are already dreaming about going back to @story We are already dreaming about going back to @storylandnh! πŸ₯³πŸ€©

Last year we took our @wonderfoldwagon and it was a total game changer with five kids! (Especially our autistic son!) It made trucking all of our children around the theme park 100 times easier. 

I’m so glad I got the four seater wagon despite some people saying it would be too big. It has room for absolutely everything we need to take with us including a cooler full of food for our family of seven. 

I can’t wait to see all of the fun adventures we will have this summer with our Wonderful Wagon. 

Use The link in our profile to purchase your Wonderfold Wagon and use discount code BALLARD to save! πŸ’° 

#storylandnh #wonderfoldwagon #wonderfoldlife #wonderfoldfamily #largefamily #bigfamily #momof5 #autismmom #autismmoms #newhampshire #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodmoments #wagonlife
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