The Mommy Affect: Nakisha & Jackie

The Mommy Affect Description:
Each day this week I will share one to two stories leading up to Mother’s Day. The purpose for TALL District’s Mommy Affect Series is to honor moms who make a difference in our tall lives. It also provides an opportunity to shed light on the ‘tall’ impact that mothers and mother figures of all heights (short, tall, average) have on their tall daughters ‘height experience’ and confidence.

Introduction:
Allow me to introduce our fab Tallistas, 5’10” Jackie (Momma) and 6’0” Nakisha (daughter) from Charlotte, NC.

Nakisha & Jackie’s Story

 Daughter:             Mother:
Nakisha               Jackie
6’0”                    5’10”

Mommy Affect: Daughter’s Perspective (Kisha)

Moms Impact
My mother always told me that I was beautiful and to embrace my height but I was influenced the most by the way she carries herself. She has always been well dressed, confident and makes no apologies for her height. She has always had a presence that commands respect…a quiet confidence. My mom’s height doesn’t define who she is…her beauty, elegance, intelligence and spirit do.

Activities to Create Normalcy
The first thing that came to mind when I read this question is what my mom did NOT enroll me in.. Basketball! Everywhere we went people would ask if I played basketball and when I told them I did not they would go on and on about how I should, it was a “waste of height”, that I could get college scholarships and so on. I was not interested or skilled in basketball, in fact, I was a cheerleader, and my mom did not force me to play or try out. She enrolled me in modeling around age 12. It was such a confidence booster. I went from being the Jolly Green Giant at school to being the ideal body/height for modeling.

Takes a village: The Tallista Embrace (College years)
My maternal great grandmother was 6’1. She was alive until I was about 21. I loved looking at pictures of her ‘back in the day’ to see her dressed in fabulous furs, gowns and pieces I would love to own today! She was fierce, bold and fabulous! Everything I imagined myself to be…but at the time was not confident enough to execute it.

“She has always had a presence that commands respect, a quiet confidence.” – Nakisha (daughter)

Interaction with Tallistas
My daughter is almost 2, and right now she is the same height or shorter than other toddlers her age. If she does end up being a Tallista, I hope that she will love and embrace it from an early age modeling my example of loving my height. When I meet young Tallistas I let them know that they are beautiful, to make no excuses for their height and to own it. I think hearing those words from a woman who shares the same experiences is so important for young women. I work very hard to realize my dreams so that I can  be an inspiration to my children and other youth.

Recommendations from one Tallista to another
To mothers of Tallistas, be patient. You see the beauty in your young tallista but it may take her a while (it took me until my 20s) to realize her fabulousness. Continue to encourage her, allow her to dream big and be her first example of the greatness that she has within herself.

To Tallistas, learn to love your height! You are beautifully made, unique and destined for greatness.

Message to Mom
Thank you. I am all that I am today because of your influence. I would not have the courage to pursue my dreams if you hadn’t been my first cheerleader. I would not know how to love myself if you hadn’t loved me first and personified self love and confidence.

Mommy Affect: Mother’s Perspective (Jackie) 

Height Awareness
At about 2 years of age she was taller than most toddlers of the same age and slightly older.

Raising a Tallista
I knew some of the challenges that she would face being a tall woman myself.

Overcoming Tall Chalenges
Yes, I/we did face many challenges. those challenges presented themselves in the form of adults asking/assuming she played basketball, and saying that if she didn’t that she should because she was so tall.  I would constantly tell her that she was beautiful and to ignore the comments because most of the comments made came from others insecurities about themselves and after high school, her height wouldn’t be such a big deal anyway.

Tall Resources
There weren’t very many resources that were available that I knew about at the time. However, when I was younger, my mom bought my clothes at certain stores that carried tall girl sizes. My paternal grandmother was 6’1 so she knew and would take me shopping to stores that sold tall girl sizes as well.

Advice From One Mother to Another
I would advise other mothers of tall daughters to do their best to build their confidence by being consistent and telling them that they are beautiful. Also, to embrace their height because we are very unique women. It is important to find clothes/shoes that fit properly so that she is comfortable and better able to own her height.

Thank you Nakisha and Jackie for sharing your tall story with us. I love the you were able to bond in love and height.

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I hope you enjoyed reading Nakisha and Jackie’s story. I would love to hear your stories as well. Leave a comment in the section below and tell us what you think about the post and/or share your ‘Mommy Affect’ story.

TALL Blessings,
J. Enovy

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