Have you heard of the "mommy makeover"? The procedure, the New York Times reports, is marketed toward new mothers. It usually involves a breast lift (implants optional), a tummy tuck, and liposuction. Plastic surgeons are encouraging women to get post-pregnancy surgery to "repair" the so-called damage inflicted on their bodies through pregnancy and childbirth. The surgery costs $10,000 to $30,000.

Of course, nobody's going to deny that pregnancy does change women's bodies, and this can have a profound effect on self-image. Some women feel depressed because they don't look the way they did before baby; others say that pop culture puts more pressure on moms to look youthful and taut than ever before, causing them to need the surgery. “I don’t think it was an issue for my mother; your husband loved you no matter what,” said Sharlotte Birkland, who had the triple procedure done earlier this year.

I understand the desire to look a certain way, but I take issue with surgeons who pathologize the normal body changes that come with motherhood. Plus, what's with calling mothers "mommy" all the time? (Am I the only one a little weirded out by that?) Let me know what you think.

Source

I'm fascinated by this story about parents who take their kids to day spas for massages, manicures and facials. “I got a massage and I loved it! It’s sooooo relaxing,” one 11-year-old girl said of her first spa experience, which she had at age 9. Do you think it's appropriate for third-graders and fourth-graders to have spa treatments?

Source