Ask a simple question, get a completely unexpected – and somewhat disturbing – answer.

Preteen Daughter needed some new jeans for school, having grown an inch or two in the last couple of months. While in one of the three clothing stores deemed “appropriate” to shop (and be seen in) by Daughter, Bad Mom suggested a skirt as a great alternative to the boot cut, skinny, dark wash boot cut, dark skinny, light-wash flare jeans in Daughter’s closet.

Daughter: “Seriously Mom – a skirt? Skirts are for band concerts. And maybe Christmas.”

Bad Mom: “But this one is a great black skirt with a fun belt, and you can wear it for band and holidays and even to school. You have that cute black and white shirt, and a couple of cardigans, that would be really nice with this skirt. And remember those black flats with the silver buckle – they would be great with this skirt.”

Daughter: “Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I’m not wearing a skirt. You know why, Mom? Because I have stubby legs and cankles.”

Cankles? Did she just say cankles? How does this 10-year-old know the word “cankles” and does she know that "cankles" are a term more widely used to describe the area where a middle-aged woman's lower leg "blends in to/meets/exceeds" the ankle?

Bad Mom: “Why would you say that? You have nice legs and you certainly don’t have cankles. Do you even know what that word means?”

Daughter: “I do, too, know what cankles are. Some girls at lunch were talking about them – from a show on TV. Cankles are fat ankles at the bottom of stubby legs.”

Separated by a closed dressing room door, and trying NOT to make a scene by responding very loudly to Daughter’s description and inaccurate – and unacceptable – self-assessment of her legs, Bad Mom stands in silence before firmly explaining:

“You do not have stubby legs. You do not have cankles. I don’t know why your friends would even be talking about them, but it needs to stop. Be thankful you have legs, and ankles, and can walk, run, play sports and wear skirts. Take good care of your body, respect your body and yourself, and don’t let anyone make you feel bad about your body. Do you understand?”

Daughter (through the closed door): “Yes Mom, I know. I don’t have cankles. But I’m not going to try on that skirt. I have stubby legs … just like you.”

Ouch.

So much for Body Image Discussion 101. Advice anyone???