It's hard enough being a teenager.  Your body is changing, your friends are jockeying for position, and you're still trying to figure out who you are.  Add to that the enormous pressure to look like Giselle, and you've got yourself a recipe for body issues.  You're too fat, too flat, too tall, too skinny... In short, you're not perfect (welcome to the human race!). 


As a mom, it's our jobs to help our teen (and tween) girls through these trying times.  Here are 5 tips to helping girls cope with body issues.


 


1.  Talk to your teen about advertising.


Sure, we know that the covers on the magazines are lit, makeuped, and airbrushed out the wazoo, but your teen might not.  Lots of girls compare themselves to models in fashion rags, models who in real life don't look like their pictures either.  Show her the Dove Evolution video below, so she can see just what goes into a fashion ad.






2.  Monitor your daughter's attitude about food.


Eating disorders often come from wanting to feel in control, not from comparisons But a girl doesn't have to have an eating disorder to practice disordered eating.  Don't let your child go on a "diet."  Instead, offer healthful choices at meal times, and correct your child when she acts as if food is an enemy.


3.  Don't focus on appearances.


Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.  Don't make offhand comments about your child's perceived flaws, especially her weight.  What might seem innocuous to you could be devastating to her.  If she comes to you with weight concerns, let her know that weight gain can be normal during puberty, and encourage her to be physically fit, not just thin.


4.  Celebrate her body for what it does, not how it looks.


Is she a great dancer, awesome soccer player, or amazing at yoga?  Praise her so she feels good about her body.  If she's a couch potater, get her moving with some fun family exercise.


5.  Set a good example.


Stop putting your own looks down.  Celebrate your (and your daughter's) individuality.  This will set a good example for your teen and maybe help you see your own appearance in a new light.  And don't you deserve it?




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THE GUYS
2 yearss ago
I like these, especially number 5. Our kids are so perceptive. "Actions speak louder than words." If our actions don't match what we're saying our message seems hollow and basically, BS. And this holds true for everything, not just body image. Of course this is easier to write than actually do. (Soda for example. But I digress.) To add on to number 4. Celebrate "HER" for who she is AND for what she does. Give her the confidence early on to feel good about herself, so when looks become such an issue, and they will, she has something to focus on. She might be a great at math, or an artist, a caring friend, a good big sister, great at puzzles, funny, etc. Reinforcing all these things EARLY on, will help with self-esteem later on. It's not easy for them that's for sure. www.theguysperspective.typepad.com PS. And teen boys have their own set of problems. But for another time. Thanks!