MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS
Experiencing your daughter begin to physically change as she wanders into puberty is something that creeps up on you. At least, it did for me. My daughter was/is still a child but the subtle physical changes and the frequent mood swings made me realise that my baby was becoming a woman.
As an owner of a sports bra business and a now seasoned bra fitter, I have learned a lot about self consciousness. Most of us are not comfortable with our bodies which will at times make bra fitting a challenge. But … with the teens! nothing prepares you for the intense reaction towards any comments about body parts … even my daughter, who knows more about breasts and bra fitting than any teenager, will react, cover up and accuse me of anything that comes to mind… sigh!!!
I think back to my first bra experience … I was 14, sports mad, a swimmer, runner and bike rider – well … it was Canberra – and my mother took me to David Jones to be fitted for my first real bra. A very serious, no nonsense older lady – must have been at least 35 – told me what I was going to have – a soft, non wired bra that opened at the front! So that’s what my mother bought me. There was no mention of a sports bra! I can’t say it was an enjoyable experience and it was the only bra fitting that I had for years.
At many sports events where we run Fit Clinics, I often see my regular customers bringing their daughters in for a fitting. It’s a special moment as these young women are usually very self conscious and they do not want to be there – the mothers are doing it tough.. their daughters are saying “you can see my nipples, its uncomfortable and it makes my boobs look pointy”….. So we approach this as a challenge… we make sure they accept us into their personal space and we fit our bras with respect and good humour. I want these young women to realise getting fitted is an important part of being a woman and it can and should be a fun experience.
Young women need to know about bras and sizing. They will be changing their bra sizes consistently throughout their life. I talk to my daughter about this and despite a small degree of eye rolling and a few “ Oh Mum”s , she gets it.. she knows good breast care early on will benefit her later on in life.
You can underestimate a supportive sports bra. As mothers, we need to know when the crop top needs to be retired for a structured bra. It’s a journey we need to share with our daughters. When you see they are not getting good bust support – when there is a bit too much jiggling.. its time!
Bras are a necessity for most women, most definitely a sports bra. Young women need to feel it’s a wonderful rite of passage – like joining the sisterhood. We should show our daughters that it’s good to embrace being a woman and love the bra within!
See you there,
Margot