THURSDAY: Health Issues

A few things make me cringe:

1. My 8 yr old talking like a baby, because she thinks its cute
2. My kids eating only chips and soda at a family potluck.
3. My 7 yr old neighbor declaring to the neighborhood “these pants make my butt look fat.”

Mothers:  Although their peers will teach them this horrible self talk of hating their bodies, until they are ten years old, you will have the most influence on them.  Children spend 52,500 waking hours at home by the time she is 12 years old.  They only spend 3200 hours in school.  Do not waste these hours trash talking your own body faults, or feeling self conscious about your image.

When a very young girl says things about how fat she is, most of the time it is something they heard their own mothers say about themselves.  Here is my advice to instill body confidence in these little girls.

1. Change your own self talk (and verbal talk).  Do not chat on the phone with friends about your latest diet, only to be overheard by your kids.
2. Do not push your dinner away and tell your kids its because you are “on a diet”?
3. Love your little girls unconditionally.  Do not draw attention to their weight, or treat them differently from their siblings.
4. Understand their body changes.  Girls gain weight (as much as 11 lbs per year) as they go through puberty. This is completely normal, and they need acceptance at this already emotional time.
5. Keep them active.  The girls with the greatest body image, are active in sports and activities.
6. Focus on positive, non- physical traits.  Is your daughter compassionate, kind, helpful, friendly?  Tell them how you notice these positive things.
7. Edited to add one more: I think its vital to let your kids see you exercise for fun and for health… not necessarily for weight loss. And to eat well for the main reason of feeling good!