Cancer Survivor, writing about Health and Fitness as you age

Dear colleague and Facebook friend-wannabe: " Yes, I did in fact get your friend request. It is sitting in my email inbox while I decide what to do with it. You see, just because we are colleagues, it does not mean that I am interested in your friend's son's birthday nor what you and your partner ate for dinner last night nor where you ate even though I am sure the photos you would share would be very enticing. Frankly, while I am very happy to exchange work pleasantries with you, don't mistake that for being deeply interested in every detail (and I do mean detail) of your life and for me wanting to include you in my social circle of family and close friends. Consider if you will, my 'social capacity index' - my ability to have a meaningful interaction with anyone via social media. It is pretty low, and gets lower with each additional friend. I can barely keep up with my immediate family as it is, far less extended family and close friends.

I think it is really difficult raising children in this complex society, and raising girls perhaps even more so. I know there is a lot of discussion about the images of women in the media and the unrealistic expectations of girls. This is a picture taken from a recent Latina Cosmo. While no personal attack on the model is intended, she looks emaciated to me, and for sure I would not want any of my daughters aspiring to this representation of beauty. I do however have nieces, but they don't live in the US and their exposure to this is not quite the same. Fortunately. I am not sure how parents counter this (and I am assuming they would try), or even if I should be parenting my sons differently or how. The only thing I know to do is to emphasize health and personality over looks.