Body image is such a touchy subject, for women and men of all ages. When you are raising children, or around them a lot, it’s only natural that how you feel about their appearance, and yours, will help shape their own attitudes.
Little girls can be particularly susceptible to messages about their bodies. Try and keep your feedback based on their health and wellbeing, rather than their looks.
How to talk to your daughter about her body, step one: Don’t talk to your daughter about her body, except to teach her how it works.
Don’t say anything if she’s lost weight. Don’t say anything if she’s gained weight.
If you think your daughter’s body looks amazing, try saying: “You look so healthy, you’re looking so strong, or I can see how happy you are – you’re glowing.”
Teach her about kindness towards others, but also kindness towards yourself.
Try not to talk about your own body gripes your body of your daughter, or talk about your new diet. Model positive behaviour – instead of going on a diet in front of your daughter, buy healthy food and cook healthy meals. Enjoy food as a constructive way to keep your body healthy, because shame over what you eat only leads to shame about yourself.
Encourage your daughter to run because it makes her feel less stressed. Encourage your daughter to climb mountains because there is nowhere better to explore your spirituality than the peak of the universe. Encourage your daughter to surf, or rock climb, or mountain bike because it scares her and that’s a good thing sometimes.
Help your daughter love soccer or rowing or hockey because sports make her a better leader and a more confident woman. Explain that no matter how old you get, you’ll never stop needing good teamwork. Never make her play a sport she isn’t absolutely in love with.
Pass on a love of being outside.
Remind your daughter that the best thing she can do with her body is to use it to mobilise her beautiful soul.