I’m glad you are here.
I started this blog in 2013 with the words: “Once upon a time there was a mother who wanted to do something other than dishes and laundry.”
This version of myself feels sort of familiar.
It ended with the words: “She took a deep breath and just went for it.”
This I recognize.
I’ve spent the last nearly decade breathing in and plunging forward.
I’ve been as transparent as I can, exploring motherhood, depression, and body image. There are things I withhold to protect my friends and family, and I’m attempting to explore new territory with my fiction writing. The blog, like me, is a work in progress.
Parenting teenagers has a way of humbling you and making you grow up.
I currently have three manuscripts in the works, and I may publish a short story collection at the end of this year. I journal daily, and although I still feel a bit queasy each time I hit publish, I’m returning to the place I began.
I considered renaming the blog and changing the header image to reflect my growth, but for now, they still fit. My son drew me as Super Mom with a sword by my side and a mask across my eyes. This feels right and somehow important.
Welcome to Bridgette Tales.
Everybody has a story. Here’s a little of mine.
Links
I began my blog after being cast in the spoken word show Listen to Your Mother. It was the catalyst for reconnecting with my creativity, and the people I met through the process continue to inspire me.
Years later, I was cast in the final performance in San Francisco. This one wasn’t recorded, but you can read the piece I read aloud: The mom bathing suit vs. the hipster pool
I’ve grown a lot in my art the last few years thanks to the wonderful support of my friend Anna. Check out her amazing blog, and beautiful artwork, at loscotoff.com.
If you are new here, you may want to read my top blog posts:
- Exposed by my children for what I really look like
- Top 10 reasons I hate Costco OR sometimes people suck
- This mom wants her kids to keep fighting
- The hardest dance of my life
- Top 5 ways to make your minivan stand out
- Love lessons from my girl
- What to do when your tires hit the dirt
- Home, broken, home
Contacts
Email: bridgettetales@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgettetales
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgettetales
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bridgettetales
Bridgette Tales 
Bridgette, I just read what you wrote about your Mom. And, last night at “Listen To Your Mother” you were so impressive!! That is why when I saw you (with Jennifer) I asked you if your husband had been there to see you and hear you!! He would have been so very proud. You did such a great job last night. Your kids are lucky and you and your Mom sound like quite a team. Nancy (Cornelius) Jennifer Winchell’s Mom
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I was so moved by your post about the secret pictures on the beach. You are beautiful inside and our, as evidenced by the lovely children you’re raising. They clearly recognize true beauty.
Thanks for sharing your struggle with the world. I’m sure it took guts to put yourself out there, and it inspired me to the park with my kids today. Thanks.
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I think you look great! 🙂 The mere fact that you enjoy food should not “discredit” you as a Good Mom, a Beautiful Mom, an Intelligent Mom, or a Loving Mom. Yes, we would all love to be an ideal size 5/6 or in today’s standards that equates to a size 2/3, but you know what – a majority of us are not (myself included). Love who you are and the person you are. Set your own parameters for your self-identity and self-worth and do not go by the standards of a social infrastructure that deviates by the day/minute.
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I agree! So many people focus on the outside. Bridgett is healthy, happy and active. I was in a store the other day and a lady made the comment that she didn’t wear sleeveless tops because her arms were flabby. I told her that I wear sleeveless tops because my arms aren’t perfect and no one ever notices anyway, right?!. She looked at me and said “thank you, I needed to hear that”. She bought a sleeveless top! At least one person was empowered that day!
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Thanks so much for sharing your pictures on the beach, and your thoughts about it… it helped me to re-frame things in my own mind…
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Thank you for inspiring me to lose my worries about my weight while still trying to lose weight. I am a newish nana and I want to feel free to enjoy him and be here for the next one that is due. So I will go to the pool with him and run around the park with him and love my time with him without wondering what the others in this world are thinking about me.
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Found you by accident….now it will be by choice. You rock!!
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This blog from Bridgette is really a movement about acceptance.We have to start by accepting ourselves. Bridgette Rocks !. My blog is http://www.beabeautifulyou.com.We can support one another into accepting our beautiful gift. Just being you!
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That is exactly what I was thinking too!! I may have stumbled across this blog by happy accident, but I’ll be coming back on purpose! Love what I’ve read so far!
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Ditto, ditto, ditto! Bridgett, read your blog on MSN.com (you made it to the “big” leagues, sista)! It brought me to tears in such a great way. Inspirational and so very touching! Thank you for letting me into snippets of your life, where I see a bit of my own and can be inspired by the way you are tackling daily challenges. Keep it going and thank you!
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Bridgette, I love your posts! I’ve only had a chance to read through a few posts – beach pictures exposed and dentist visit – but I can tell from them alone that you are a beautiful person inside and out! I too have struggled with a lot of the same kind of self-critical talk and…it’s hard! I will be back to read more and wanted to thank you for writing all this down to help others! You’ve got a real talent for sharing your stories 🙂 Have a great day!
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Thank you for your story. Weight and self-love is difficult and I so admire your attitude and hope to have it someday too.
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You are a beautiful and moving writer. Thank you for your words. I’m so glad I found your blog, it was just by chance.
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Often seems to be a mother’s lot to be riddled with self-doubt but your children know what really matters, don’t they? And guess who taught them? You must be very proud. Have left the “photo” blog post up on the screen for my husband to read, too. Thank you.
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Found your blog by accident, or was it? LOVE what you have to say! Thank you
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Happened across your blog – Exposed by my children – it was beautiful. Then started to read some others – When your tires hit dirt – really hit home for me. Listening to my intuition is something I struggle with as well. Cheers!
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Serendipity on a Sunday! Encountered your piece “Exposed by my children”. Literally like finding the light in the darkness of self-loathing.
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Hi. I’m nominating you for a Lovely Blog Award 🙂 I like your take on life and you write it so well.
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Very cool, we look like sisters. And although I may not feel as beautiful as I once did your beautiful story brought a tear to my eyes and made me remember the look of adoration from my family that we sometimes forget in our busy lives.
Thank you for sharing, you have done something very right to have such sweet children, who by the way obviously really love their mom.
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I am enjoying a few days away with my family. My girls took some unflattering pictures of me and I thought to myself, I will delete these later when i am home. Then I read your latest blog and have decided to keep them. My girls only see my beauty too. Thanks for the reminder!
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I just read that amazing post about your kids taking the picture of you on the beach! Perfect!!! I love it and have lived everything you wrote. They do love us just the way we are when everyone else looks with a critical eye. Maybe that is why God gives them to us?? He is telling us the same thing through their words. And, by the way, you were beautiful in that picture!
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Love yourself. Always. :o]
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Ahhh, Waldorf sings to my heart too!
Nice to connect with you beautiful mama.
Amber at Adventures of a Rainbow Mama x
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Thank you very much Bridgette for sharing the picture of the way your kids see you. That was truly an inspiring way to look at life and I’m blessed you shared that. I’m struggling with my weight and so it’s very encouraging and challenges me to embrace who I am. Still plan on working out and eating healthy but thank you again for sharing this journey with us.
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Bridgette, I just saw your post on MSN today. First, you should be so proud of how you have raised your children for them to see your beauty even more than you do. I have had weight issues my entire life and finally this year I found the product that worked to help me. I have lost more than 60 lbs. and can finally shop in the regular size clothing (it’s been more than 30 years since I could do that!). If you are interested in finding out more please contact me. Ellarene
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Your children see you for what a Mother really is and the love she shares. Enjoy each and every moment with them for they see the beauty in everything…thanks for sharing such a lovely story.
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Thank you so much for posting the photo of you on the beach along with your kids view of the picture. It brought tears to my eyes. I have the same view of myself as you do but I’m hopeful my children are able to look past my (many) flaws and see my inner beauty as well.
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I found your blog via the MSN post about your picture on the beach. Thank you so much for that story 🙂 I read it just after having finished reading an article, one about how so many parenting and motherhood articles are full of negativity. Thanks for sharing something positive!
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Hello, I recently seen your post on MSN too and had to see more of what it was about. Very encouraging! Thank you so much for sharing and I will continue to visit.
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Just turned my computer on to do some work and saw the article on MSN about “Kids taking Pictures of You on the beach”. As always, I am a Mom on the go trying to fit a little work in before I pick my children up at school but felt compelled to read the article, then another and another! Thank you for sharing and being honest…that is REAL beauty! It took me to have a child (daughter) at almost 45 to be comfortable in my own skin. She is my healing and truly a gift from God. I suffered for years from a lack of confidence, eating disorders, poor choices and yoyo weight issues. My desire is for my daughter to love herself, be confidence and have a positive self image… I realize that starts with me… how feel about myself, act and my self “speak” . There are truly sooooo many layers to true beauty. You are beautiful, brave and courageous! Thank you for your honesty and sharing your gift of motherhood.
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I just read your picture on the beach and i loved it. I was a single BBW mother and went and did everything with my son. We hiked, fished, camped, swam biked and i loved being with him. I was always worried about my size till one day I told my son i couldn’t climb a mountain face because i was to big. He looked at me like I was a stranger and told me that i was just the right size if i fell down, with all the fluffing I wouldnt get hurt and took my hand and we clmbed the mountain together. He was 11 and I swored up that mountian on the wings of my sons words… You can do anything your body will let you do.. To hell with all the other twinkes that walk around afraid to get dirty with there children. We rock..
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You’re a wonderful mom and write so beautifully! I’m looking forward to reading your blog 🙂
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Thanks for sharing about your pain at seeing your beach photos and how your kids are helping you to see yourself differently. I suspect most women can relate! I have a book coming out this year where I delve deeply into these issues. You can find out more about it at http://www.kathrynVwhite.com
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First off, I never respond to articles but I must tell you It stirred emotions in me, made me feel something other than what you feel hearing on all the news as of late. I applaud you on what you were able to get across in how we should view things of others and of ourselves. I will save this and share with my beautiful daughter one day. The more we read about what is wonderful, loving and beautiful the more it will occur. Thank you again for stirring my heart!!
Lynn Edmondson
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Thank you for sharing with the world on MSN your picture. You are an inspiration to all women.
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I love your tales and courage…from a fellow Bridgette. 🙂
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Love your Enthusiasm….you seem Energetic,Loving,Kind and Caring……yeah I’m like you;Don’t sweat the small stuff..we all grow in some way or other and it fluctuates…as you age it either goes this way or that…it really not the outter of us that matters so much but rather thin inner that protrudes outward to others that makes up the whole picture.
I agree..love yourself for what you’ve become or becoming..there’s always room for improving ones self…..I always tell myself I’ll make an Appointment for that..it can come in time…but right now; I’m focused on my family…then store it in the back of my mind, that I really do need to be healthier…the trick is not to allow procrastination in your life…once it creeps in..it likes to settle in!
love your stories so mu..and I’m a 51 year old dude……..Nice to meet you Brigette…I would like to stick with you if that’s ok..i’ll post like today from time to time..and just so you know…everything about you is lovable..keep going sweety!…Mike
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Actually, I thought the story behind the picture was that of an alluring postcard. I think you have every reason to celebrate. Your children are right, it’s a beautiful picture. Great eye kid!
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I just saw your break-out link on msn; Beach pic shows mom how her kids see her. I agree with your kids, you look perfectly fine in that pic. As a man that spent his younger days only dating slim ‘model types’ I now realize what a dope I was. There are beautiful women of all shapes and sizes, and many of those that aren’t classic beauties have a great deal more substance (no pun intended).
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You made my day. I can’t wait to show my beautiful wife this story. This 50 year old man rarely gets touched like this, but you did it. God Bless you.
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you have every right to feel pretty you are. you inspire older moms and bbw are beautiful.
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Read your story about beach on msn.com page. Can totally relate regarding weight and love of self. I am also trying to love myself as I am. Thanks for reminding me to be okay about it. Your children are amazing. Will follow your blog now….happy to find your inspiring words.
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So, I just took a moment to read about Momma on the beach. We should all look through a child’s eyes! What a testament to your parenting that your children see the beauty around them, no matter what others may see. Truly awesome and inspiring!
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When I started to read your story about the beach, I thought, “Well, here it goes, another tale about someone like me who gets embarassed in a bathing suit.” I hate going beyond my safety zone for fear of–well, just about everything–name it and I’m probably worried about it. So, your story’s turn is very welcome and touching. My 26 year old daughter once told me she didn’t know me any other way except as a plus size me, but in her words, “as my beautiful mama.” I myself don’t see my size unless I look at pictures, and there are not alot of them around. But I do my best to have a smile on my face and a loving heart to share, and to look for the same in everyone else. I do hope for the best about the rest. You go, Bridgette–
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Thank you for sharing such a wonderful and heart touching story. You have over come your fear and shared hope with the rest of us beautiful people. I cheer you on for your bravery and openness. Thank you for brightening my day.
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Bridgette you go girl! I found your blog as link on your story about your son taking your picture on the beach. This world is and always has been totally obsessed with physical beauty and perfection. I suffered all my life feeling ugly, worthless from people making fun of how I looked or how I dressed. And all my life I have been thin not overweight. It took me until my 40’s to get over the cruelty and realize that I may not be beautiful in the eyes of others..but damn it I’m a good, kind, caring funny person…and screw all of you…I like the way I look! Once I realized that I started to get out there and do my thing. I wish you all the best Brigette.
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I just read your article on MSN about the photo that your kids had taken of you while at the beach. I thought it was very heartwarming and sweet. As women, kids or no kids, we are so hard on ourselves. Everything seems to revolve around how our bodies look, which determines how we feel. I myself am at my heaviest that I have ever been, and it has caused a lot of social anxiety for me. I admire the fact that you choose to be the best mom you can be and interact with your children, instead of hiding at home. I wish I had a mother like that. Ever since I was little, and to this very day, in my early 30’s, my mom still tells me “I’m too busy to talk right now.” I couldn’t see your face in the photo, but I do not need to in order to tell that you are a beautiful lady, with two sweet kids.
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My wife showed me your article about the picture on the beach. My wife is about your size, and has the same feelings that you do. For 45 years I’ve been trying to tell her that the beautiful things about her, in her looks as well as her personality and our interactions as a couple, are far more important than a couple of pounds. I’ve never made much of an impression (“We’re married. You HAVE to say that.”), but I think your article did. Thanks.
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Hello! I love your story from the beach! I just read it on MSN. I am a life coach and I incorporate a natural, safe lifestyle product to help my clients thrive and become the best versions of themselves – mind, body and soul. It supports cognitive function, mood, sleep, energy, metabolism, physical discomfort (things many moms like us need right now). Please message me if you have interest in learning more. Blessings to you, you are one creative, talented mom! Kary Kruger
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Thank you for your lovely story about the beach. I hope your story starts a bridge for women to love what they are blessed with.
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Thank You, I just discovered your blog and I think you have saved my life. I am so burned out from having my grandchildren with me for the summer. I am tired of everything. You have given me hope for the moment.
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Your picture and story and Cameron Diaz both on MSN home page today. You are more interesting and beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing your picture and story with us 🙂
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Found you through the “exposed on the beach” blog on MSN – you are my new favorite and truly speak to my heart – immediately read through many of your posts and just feel you have an amazing gift at articulating what so many of us feel! you rock! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
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I was “exposed on the beach” a few week ago in Oxnard and I’m learning to love the body I have this summer, too. 🙂 Glad I found you.
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Bridgette, thank-you! I shared your blog on facebook for all the self-loathing women in my life. Though, I loved the post about “exposed on the beach”, the one that touched me the most was “flooded bathroom”. I saw a younger me, and parts of this old me in that post. I hate aging and reading your post made me realize why I hate it so much. I am afraid of losing my usefulness.
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