The Molding of My Child’s Body Image

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During one of our recent “snow days,” I decided to head to the gym with my kids so I could get a workout in. This isn’t out of the normal for us; I usually try to go to the gym after dropping my daughter S off at school (I figure I’m already up and out of the house so I might as well make the most of it). But what made this time different was what happened while we were driving.

runningbuddies

Out of the blue S asked, “Do you workout to be skinny?”  Her question caught me off guard, and I wanted to answer it in the best way possible. In my head my first response was “Of course, why else would I do this?”, but I knew that wasn’t what I needed to tell her. So, I said that I exercise to stay healthy (which is the truth and the more important reason I do it). I also explained that when you work out you use your heart and that exercise helps keep my heart healthy, and yes, if you have fat on your body then working out can help you to burn fat and lose weight.

Her response….”Oh, well I want to be skinnier.” If my jaw could of hit the floor it would have. My 40 pound, slim jean wearing, seven year old wants to be skinnier!!! I was in total shock to hear her make such a statement and I needed to figure out where this was coming from.

I immediately looked at myself, thinking she was seeing something in me that made her feel like this. I know kids are influenced a lot by their parents and what they see in them so I’ve tried my hardest to be a positive example for her. I do watch what I eat (to an extent) and exercise; she knows this, but it’s not to an extreme. She knows I have a sweet tooth and will make any excuse to go get a donut or ice cream. So we don’t have an aversion to sweet treats. I was kind of at a loss.

donuts

I’m still trying to get to the bottom of her thoughts on this, and truthfully I’m hoping it was just an off the wall comment and she didn’t really know what she was saying. But until then, I will be more aware of what I say and do around her. I want her to grow up with a healthy perspective of her body. We all have different body types and I don’t want her to feel bad about hers.

Do you struggle with this subject with your own kids? We would love to hear your tips on how to support a healthy and positive body image for children!

 

 

 

 

6 COMMENTS

  1. Wow, my daughter is only 5 mos. old but I would never have guessed that I would have to address this with her as early as the young age of 7! Thank you for the heads up on this. BTW, I think I met you at the Adorable Child the other day – thank you for the gift bag! I won a $10 Adorable Child gift card :). Was that you?

    • It definitely surprised me too!! It’s crazy how much they are influenced by those around them.

      I was there from 10-1130, so it was probably me!! Nice to “meet” you again!!!

  2. Shew!! SEVEN? I know my nephew is 8 and he is constantly being harassed because he is so skinny (and dreams of being a football player). His sister, on the other hand, is 11 and is a crazy athletic dancer who, naturally, complains about her “belly fat” and “thighs”, neither of which really exist. What’s a mom to do?! They are perfectly active, healthy kids who are influenced a great deal by their world.

    • It’s hard to live up to the “standards” that we see on magazine covers as moms, but so much more as children that don’t have a complete understanding of how those pictures come about. It’s a warped picture of “normal” that has been created!

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