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Tips for the future
I am probably worrying prematurely - my daughter is only one! - but do you have any general tips on giving my daughter a healthy body image as she grows up. Is there language to avoid?
I've spent the past 15 years worrying about the way I look and it's such a boring, pointless waste of time. I really don't want that for her.
Thanks,
Kirstin
Actually, it is great that you ARE thinking about this now because you can make such a positive difference to your daughter's perceptions and feelings about her body. Building body confidence at one year will help her withstand some of the horrid pressures that beset all of us.
As her body develops, you will naturally be showing her the delight you feel when she does more and more activities and if you can stay focused on the beautiful movements she makes and the wonderful capacities of her body rather than only focus on how gorgeous she looks, it will give her a sense of her body as competent and vibrant.
Introduce her to a wide range of foods and try not to make any of them special or a reward. Food is for eating when she is hungry. It is not a treat but to be enjoyed when she needs it. Try not to talk about good foods or bad foods or diet around her or criticise your own body. All these things will have a negative influence on her and make her feel that she should be wary of food and critical of her own body.
And most of all, try to accept and enjoy your body that has produced this lovely girl and 'accompanied' your life. And, of course, tell her how lovely she is too!
For more info and answers to lots of other questions go to www.campaignforrealbeauty.co.uk or the Dove Careline 0800 085 1584. You can download or request the booklet TALK TO HER
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