One of the most frequent questions I get from people who celebrate holidays during this time of year is about how to deal with family and friends who are behaving badly. For me the secret is boundaries. I wrote a more expanded piece about it here, but to serve as a musical reminder, last year I re-wrote the lyrics to “Oh Christmas Tree” to be an ode to boundary setting. Now it’s a danceswithfat holiday tradition.
Below you’ll find lyrics and videos from two blog readers actually singing the song, if the holiday spirit moves you feel free to record yourself singing and send the me the link (ragen at danceswithfat dot or) or leave it in the comments and it will become part of the holiday fun.
Note: In order for this to work, you have to pronounce boundaries as a three syllable word (BOUND-ah-rees) If this is an affront to your sense of poetic license I completely understand, I’ll be back tomorrow with a blog sans song….
Without further ado here is my fat holiday song:
Oh Boundaries! Oh Boundaries!
You help me deal with family.
Don’t talk about my weight or food.
Why can’t you see it’s hella rude
Oh Boundaries! Oh Boundaries!
You help me deal with family.
You know I love my family
But I will leave if you fat-shame me.
Oh Boundaries! Oh Boundaries!
You help me deal with family.
My body’s fine, I don’t need your rants
You’re not the boss of my underpants
Oh Boundaries! Oh Boundaries!
You help me deal with family.
Don’t say a word to my fat kid
Or I’ll leave so fast, my tires will skid
Oh Boundaries! Oh Boundaries!
You help me deal with family.
Yes I do “need” that second plate
It’s not your business what I ate
Oh Boundaries! Oh Boundaries!
You help me deal with family.
Quit saying someday I’ll get sick
Last time I checked you were not psychic
Oh Boundaries! Oh Boundaries!
You help me deal with family.
The holidays are great family time
If you don’t shame, food-police or whine
Oh Boundaries! Oh Boundaries!
You help me deal with family.
Two Readers (so far – hint, hint) have taken up the challenge of recording this piece, enjoy!
Jeanette DePatie (aka The Fat Chick) gave us an amazing opera/jazz rendition:
and Nadja killed it a capella in the middle of the night in her PJs:
Like my blog? Looking for some holiday support or gifts? Here’s more of my stuff!
The Book: Fat: The Owner’s Manual The E-Book is Name Your Own Price! Click here for details
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Dance Classes: Buy the Dance Class DVDs or download individual classes – Every Body Dance Now! Click here for details
Interviews with Amazing Activists!! Help Activists tell our movement’s history in their own words. Support In Our Own Words: A Fat Activist History Project!
If my selling things on the blog makes you uncomfortable, you might want to check out this post. Thanks for reading! ~Ragen
