How To Raise Body Confident Kids
Raising little humans in today’s world is not an easy job and more than anything, we just want our children to be happy, healthy and to grow up with a strong sense of self. As the owner of a blog that focuses on health and fitness, I know that not only can I make a positive impact on my readers, but more importantly on my two daughters when it comes to body confidence. I know it starts with me; if I want Harper and Noa to grow up with high self-esteem and body confidence, I know I have to accept and appreciate myself and my body! I decided to write this post for all you out there who are navigating the same journey with the special kiddies in your life. This is just my two cents, but I hope it helps!
It Starts With You
Speaking negatively about yourself might be happening more than you even realize. It’s time to flip the script and turn the negative self talk into positive once and for all! I am certain your child will pick up on this change in positivity too. Here are three things you can do right now:
Give Your Body Credit: remember just how much your body has done for you and how it has helped you care for your child, others and moved through so many incredible life experiences. Thank your body for all it has done!
Stop Comparing: avoid scrolling celebrity feeds for hours on end. Remember that many of the images we see online are edited, touched up and digitally enhanced. You are YOU and that’s what makes you amazing … #nofilterneeded
Take Time To Connect with Your Body: prioritizing movement, meditation or just moments of stillness every day can help you connect and appreciate your beautiful body. Every morning look in the mirror and tell yourself one good thing about your body. Start these conversations with your little ones, so they get into the practice of appreciating their own bodies too!
Social Media Strategy For Your Kids
Social media is a wonderful thing that allows us to stay connected with friends and families. However, kids are starting to spend more time scrolling their feed comparing and feeling insecure. This is where we, as parents, come in and have a talk with our kids about the reality of social media. Here are some conversation starters:
IG vs. Reality: speak to your kids about how images can be digitally distorted or edited. Make them aware that a lot of what we see is a curated highlight reel of someone’s life.
Use social responsibly: like I said, social media is great for connecting, so encourage your little ones to have REAL conversations and make REAL connections with their friends and family when online. Speak to them about posting things that express their interests and personal qualities that have nothing to do with how they look.
Disconnect to Reconnect: it’s important to teach your children to LOG OUT of the app and to take time off the screen to connect with people IRL. Harper still does not have access to a phone or social media, but I always speak to her about logging out and keeping the phone away from your bedside when you sleep.
Online Bullying: Emphasize how important it is for them to open up to you if they ever feel they are being messaged inappropriately. Talk to them about privacy and not sharing any personal information with strangers online!
Body Talk
It may take some practice, but try to avoid discussing physical appearance in conversations with friends, especially when children are around. Those little ears pick up everything, including when you comment on your neighbour looking great and asking her if she lost weight. Additionally, focus conversations instead on what our bodies can do. It’s good practice to take time to talk with your kids every day about being grateful for something our body did. You can give examples like this: ‘I am so grateful that my feet allowed me to run so fast in soccer practice today’ or ‘I am so thankful that my hands were able to create a beautiful masterpiece in art class today.’ I always make a point to thank my body for the ability to move through workouts. Bottom line, talk about what bodies can do rather than what they look like! This doesn’t mean you can’t compliment your kiddies on how cute they look, but just try and balance it out by complimenting them on their other awesome talents and qualities!
Last, but not least
Always take the time to admire and reflect on your little one’s individual and unique attributes and talents to help build their self-esteem. At home be sure to celebrate being one of a kind and emphasize that being YOU is your #1 superpower.
