Rebecca Eckler is one of Canada's most talked about newspaper columnists, the author of Knocked Up: Confessions of a Hip Mother to Be, which has been translated into nine languages. Also the author of the bestsellers, Wiped!, Toddlers Gone Wild, and Rotten Apple, the first in a YA series. Random thoughts on life in the competitive world of modern mommyhood. Blog will be loved by trendy mothers who still feel, or often feel, that the most important word in "mommee" is ME!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Naked?!?

So I was asked to pose naked a couple weeks ago.

A photographer, who I quite like and who I think is very talented, asked me to pose naked for an art book she's doing on....nudes. (Duh.)

In any case, the first question I asked was, "Will I have to show my Britney?" (If you don't understand this, then ask someone.)

I'm not comfortable showing my Britney. Just not. The photographer said I don't have to, that there are ways for me to cover it.

I've been debating the prose and cons of this.

Pros:

1) It would be an experience. And I like new experiences.

2) My body is only going downhill from here.

3) Ok, I don't have a third.

Cons

1) People will see me naked.

2) People will see me naked.

3) People will see me naked.

I'm leaning towards doing it. And it's a completely strange reason for me doing it.

For the first time in my life, I don't give a shit about my body. I don't work out like crazy. I don't watch what I eat. I'm just well...over it.

And I'm not sure when this happened. Well, I think it happened a couple months ago. Maybe it's my age. Or wisdom. Or maturity.

But I can honestly say I really don't care anymore....and in a good way! In a very healthy way! In fact, I can't believe I have spent 30 (cough-cough) something years spending so much time worrying about my body and body image. I can't believe how much time I wasted being envious of Kate Moss.

I'm so done. And I feel totally free. Which is why, when this request to pose naked was asked, I didn't jump back in horror.

It seemed to have come at a perfect time.

Your thoughts?

31 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a great opportunity! Go for it! If it's someone you know and trust I'm sure it will be a very rewarding and liberating experience. I'd definitely be too shy and probably start giggling or something silly.

12:07 PM

 
Blogger Montreal Mama said...

You should totally go for it if you feel comfortable with the photographer. It's all about the photographer (being one myself!)

I'm worried about my body after baby 2 is born. I didn't lose all the weight before getting pregnant again, so I fear what that will do to my body after delivering. But pregnant, I think in second I'd pose nude. Maybe I should, seeing as though I don't know if we'll ever have baby number 3 (to try for a girl).

3:29 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

do it. it's awesome. very, very liberating...

3:52 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oooh! Go for it, definitely!!!

10:13 AM

 
Blogger Ali said...

in my 20's i would have been all "hell no!" but now that i'm 30, i would jump at the opportunity. go for it!

11:05 AM

 
Blogger Laural Dawn said...

My thought ... you're way braver (and in much better shape) than me!
But, why not?!

1:03 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Wait until you're really sure. If you regret it after doing it, there is no way to "erase" this experience. It will be on paper (and possibly on the Internet at some point) for ever...

7:36 PM

 
Blogger Mommy Jo said...

Go for it!

9:45 PM

 
Blogger Cassie said...

If you feel comfortable with it, then do it! Good for you for even being able to think about it. I am way too shy to ever be able to do anything like that!

5:43 PM

 
Blogger Misty Harris said...

Do it, but be sure you get final photo approval. If the photog disagrees, back out; my feeling is that they need you more than you need them, so you have more negotiation power.

11:49 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would totally do it... I think it would be enpowering for you. And it can be done sooo classily, as I am sure it would be for an art book

An aside: a coworker of mine was part of a 'women power' festival about opression, etc. and she had a umm, cast made of her 'britney'.
it was a gallery like display of how different our 'britneys' are...

Karen

4:59 PM

 
Blogger Casey said...

that would scare the crap out of me!! but, I say go for it. like many others have said it'd feel really empowering

8:06 PM

 
Blogger petite gourmand said...

funny post....

not sure what you have decided or not but I say go for it.
Then again, if it was me there wouldn't be a chance in hell I would pose nude.

and that's pretty sad seeing as my hub is a photographer.

11:26 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do it!!

8:11 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

what is your husband's opinion? i would see what he thinks, as he probably knows you best, non?

LOVE your blog. so happy you're back, was going into withdrawal! :)

10:33 AM

 
Blogger the mystic said...

I would do it, but I think I'd want to sort of cover my britney too!

11:10 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi rebecca - is your "toddlers gone wild" available in the united states? i am trying to get a copy, i live in los angeles, but it doesn't seem to be at borders or barnes and noble yet. do you know if it will be coming? i have a 16 month old, and, after reading both knocked up and wiped, i can't wait to see the next one! :) love your work! --beth

8:55 PM

 
Blogger Don Mills Diva said...

I would absolutely do it - I'm sure the photos are all going to be beautiful and you'll always have them...

5:04 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do it!! I would, in fact I would venture to bet all The Housewives from my site would do it - today - before it all goes to hell!

11:32 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! To be able to throw all inhibitions away and leave yourself vulnerable for the world to see. If you can pull it off well, that's just fabulous!

11:06 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wowzers! To be able to throw all inhibitions away and leave yourself vulnerable for the world to see. If you can pull it off well, that's just fabulous!

11:10 AM

 
Blogger Dodi said...

ACK! Just thinking about it makes me queasy...if you do this, you are a better, stronger woman than I. Not that that's saying much!
:)

6:40 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Girl, do it! The Housewives would be proud!!! HOT MAMAS RULE!!!

6:41 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'd say no, because you don't look very happy in your picture on "Toddlers Gone Wild." Not wearing clothes will only emphasize that impression.

5:51 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you can let your inhibitions go and put yourself out there - just you, raw and honest - well, that's fabulous.

6:13 PM

 
Blogger Babooter said...

Having just finished reading your book, Wiped!, I have to say that I think you should do this since you didn't display the same confidence about your body then. If the photographer is talented, you'll look faboo in the picture anyway and you'll feel even better about your wonderful self. There is the danger that Rowan will be like "WTF, is my mommy a playboy bunny?" Or, you can teach her that as a society, we're a little too hung up on nudity and that it's more important to love your body. Don't show your Britney though...that's crossing the line to distasteful.

11:02 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well I've got to admit I'd like to see you nude.

1:07 PM

 
Blogger Urban Daddy said...

I'm still laughing at the Britney comment...

What's the worst that can happen? You hate them, ask them not to publish them, and then they get leaked to TMZ and they're all over the net and you become famous world-wide for a few days... Looks like a win-win situation. :)

Seriously, tastefully done, why not.

11:42 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think it would enhance your career and make for more drama later in your life. Go for it

5:19 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rebecca, even though I just read about you for the first time in ParentsCanada, for the sake of your daughter, don't. Think about HER. Although you can do it without her knowing now, what will she say if a kid from school announces they saw her mom nude? You are the world to her! What you do says more than what you say. You are a Mom! That is your 1st God-given role(model). The world will tell you to "go for it". But whose opinion matters to you more..your daughter's or people who you don't know?

3:54 PM

 
Blogger EveningGoddess said...

Just stumbled across your blog!
you are way too cute!!

What do I think?
You MUST DO IT!
You will be proud.

Here!
This is a link to a TRULY inspiring site..One that has facilitated a special sort of healing for me.
I put my nude photos on there of my post baby body and it was so liberating!~


http://theshapeofamother.com

DO IT MAMA!

6:26 PM

 

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