Art by Maya Burman

All humans learn by imitation.

Girls learn how to be a girl and how to be a women by observing and imitating the women in their lives.

Your own body image and your beliefs about your body have a strong influence on how the girls in your life feel about their bodies.

If you have poor body image, you can still convey positivity by being intentional about your speech and actions, and also doing your best to love all the parts of your body.

I struggle with body shame myself, but I did not pass it onto my daughter.  According to her! I believe this is because I worked consciously, on a daily basis, to feel great about my body and to speak only in positive ways about my body, her body, and all bodies.

Here are some tips. Which of these sound good to you? What would you add?

AVOID THESE

• Asking "Do I look fat in this?"
• Weighing yourself daily.
• Speaking about "good food" and "bad food"
• Talking about your muffin top, or your flabby or saggy anything
• Commenting on the weight gain or loss of others.
• Magazines and media with body shaming messages.
• Frequent commentary about her appearance

DO THESE

• Carry yourself with pride whether walking, standing, sitting, dancing...
• Exercise and move your body in ways that delight you
• Eat fabulous healthy food
• Find a daily body-loving meditation, ritual or activity
• Affirm that people come in all sizes and shapes

These Body Image practices are simple but truly powerful.

Pick one and try it for a week or two. Notice how your daughter responds. Notice how YOU feel.

Follow your body's wisdom as you continue to build your body positive role modeling. Your body knows. At some level, she is working to support your to break the cycle of generational body shame and to raise a daughter who is in love with her entire body.

WHAT WOULD YOU ADD?

What's worked well for you?  What pitfalls would you advise others to avoid?  Where are you struggling with body image issues?

Please share as a comment below. 

Thank you!  Together we rise!

Waiting by Tilly Willis