Motherhood: Helping Kids with Body Positivity

from Glo - November 2022

Fashion: The Fashion of Steuben County

What Parents Need to Know

By Mary Jane Bogle

There’s little doubt that kids who compare themselves to the stereotypes displayed in movies and ads will likely come up short, leading to negative feelings about appearance that only magnify as they grow older and their bodies change.

The good news is that parents, more than anyone else, can combat those messages and instill healthy, confident, and more realistic ideas in their children instead. Want to help your child develop a positive body image? Here are five tips to help you as you start the conversation. 1. Watch your words. Research shows that parents who are dissatisfied (and vocal) about their own figures tend to raise kids who are unhappy about theirs. And with 80% of moms expressing body image discontent, it’s no wonder many kids are picking up on that message and internalizing that same discontent themselves. 2. Focus on healthy habits. Instead of discussing weight, try to focus on a healthy lifestyle—and modeling it for your kids. Limit soda intake, for instance, and try to exercise as a family. Make healthy selections at the grocery store, and let your kids explore new tastes and textures as they grow. 3. Praise character, not appearance. It sounds cliché, but true beauty really is more than skin deep. We all know people who radiate joy. They might never grace the cover of a magazine, but we love spending time with them. Focusing on your children’s positive character traits will go a long way toward instilling confidence and counter-acting their superficial comparisons with others.

4. Limit screen time. All the ads for beauty products, complete with airbrushed models, can have an impact on even the healthiest and most confident kids. Do them a favor and turn off the messaging. 5. Keep lines of communication open. Kids’ bodies are constantly changing, as are their friend groups. That’s why you need to keep your finger on the pulse of the messaging your children receive and internalize. You can’t counteract those negative thoughts if you don’t know they’re there. Maintaining a healthy and open relationship with your children is essential if you want to help them accept who they are. Obviously, no system is fool proof, and kids will likely struggle with questions of self-doubt from time to time. Just make sure that you are one of the first people they turn to when they’re seeking reassurance about who they are, both inside and out! a