Tips to Keep Your Child From Developing Body Image Issues
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As much as we’d like to believe that the new wave of body positivity has solved the body image crisis, this just isn’t the case. People are still heavily influenced by pre-existing ideals and the influence of social media has a lasting negative effect. And your children are the most susceptible. This is the last thing a parent wants to hear as they are the ones who are entrusted with the responsibility of teaching their kids how to love themselves, and that includes their bodies. Parents teach their children how to dress, what to eat, how much physical activity they need and everything health related. But that doesn’t mean you have any control over how your child perceives themselves. However, there are subtle ways that you can shift them to start thinking about their bodies in a positive and healthy way.
1. Encourage Exercise
Not only is it good for your little one, but it’s good for you too. So get up and do physical activities with your child as a way to encourage them to exercise more. Working out isn’t only for losing weight or looking a certain way. It can increase stamina and strengthen muscles. It also teaches other important values like discipline and determination. Not to mention that they can be a lot of fun. As your child puts their body to the test, they will start to appreciate it for what it can do instead of what it looks like. Exercise is one way to ensure that your child is healthy mentally and physically.
2. Try To Shift The Focus Away From What People Look Like
When talking about other people, try not to pass negative comments about their appearance in front of your child. That’s not to say that your child shouldn’t know the consequences of being overweight. They absolutely should. But at the same time, they must know that a person’s value is not determined by their appearance alone. So instead of paying attention to a person’s appearance and size, comment on their qualities instead. What is something that is admirable about them? What can you learn from them? Highlight these traits. This way, your child will follow your lead and start seeing the things that really matter in other people.
3. Be A Good Example To Your Kids
When it comes to your kids, show, don’t tell. Children learn through observation, so the way you speak about your body or the way you feel towards your body is going to have a huge impact on them. This means that if you are only negative and critical towards yourself and complain every time you put on a dress, they will learn to do the same thing. Everyone has insecurities and that’s perfectly okay. It’s all about embracing what you can’t change and liking the way you look anyway. Showing your child that you are comfortable in your own body will help them feel more settled and comfortable in their own skin. So instead of telling them that they are the most beautiful person you’ve seen, show them how to treat their bodies with compassion and understanding.
4. Don’t Make Every Food Decision For Your Child
Let your child have a say in what food they consume. If you are shopping with your little one, give them the chance to choose what they would like from the aisles. This is a great way to educate your child about healthy food choices. You can ask them to find a cereal that has a low percentage of sugar in it. You can tell them facts about every fruit and vegetable they pick. For example, carrots are good for the eyes and watermelon is very hydrating. Tell them how each ingredient in a meal affects them as you cook together. This way they will be way more interested in eating everything on their plate than if they didn’t know anything about the meal at all.
Finally, make sure your child doesn’t differentiate between good and bad foods. Everything in excess is bad, even celery. So let them have a treat once in a while. Explain the importance of portion sizes instead. A scoop of ice cream a week is perfectly okay! Instead, focus on establishing a balanced diet that they love and help curate.
Teaching your child how to love their body isn’t an easy job. Especially in today’s age of social media, photoshop of influencers. In a world where everyone wants to appear perfect, it’s challenging to help your child love their flaws. But with these subtle shifts and changes, you are one step closer to doing just that. Happy parenting!
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