4 important things you must teach your kids about a healthy body image, so they stay away from body-shaming
You need to tell your children that the number on the scale is not a defining factor when it comes to developing high self-esteem.
So if you have a dad who makes you change out of 'too short' skirts every now and then or a mother who constantly cribs about her weight gain, how are you supposed to not body police yourself? After all, you learn and imbibe things from your parents as a child, and your neighbourhood, friends and co-workers outside home when you grow up.
In fact, the latest F word on the block is 'fat'--yes, a word that leaves one with a dazed perception about body image and related issues. While some are left struggling with bulimia and anorexia at a very young age, others tend to body shame and mock overweight or underweight people around them; particularly adolescents.
Also read: Not getting pregnant? Here 5 possible causes that are affecting your fertility
So to help raise your kids to respect all body types, including their own, you must instill these 6 thoughts about a healthy body image, right from the start.
We tell you some of the best tips for raising kids to love their bodies.
- Let your children make their own style choices: From a 'boyish' haircut for a girl, to a retro attire, or even a series of tattoos on his/her arm when they're older--let your children pick and decide how they want to look. The way your child wants to look is just an extension of the way they want to be perceived, so let them make a choice instead of forcing your styles on them.
- Never attach moral value to anybody's weight: Nobody should be judged on the basis of their weight or body type and you need to make this clear to your child. Mocking or teasing somebody for the kind of body they have is unjust and you're unwillingly instilling a negative approach in their minds to reject people based on weight and outward appearance. Associating healthy and unhealthy food with one's well-being is fine but making food seem like the biggest flaw for one's beauty, is not.
- No person is worth damaging your self-worth over: Michelle Obama once stated, "There is no boy cute enough or interesting enough to stop you from getting your education." Just like education, we believe, "There's absolutely nobody worth changing and hammering your self-image over." This needs to be reinforced in your children's mind from the very beginning, so they stay grounded yet confident.
- Don't ever suggest that a specific body type or feature is bad or ugly: Whether it's to do with a broad forehead or a small nose; don't assign moral value (good or bad) to aesthetic traits and characteristics if you want your kids to build healthy relationships with their bodies. Perpetuating the "thin is good and fat is bad" mentality, you're only adding to their confusion by creating stereotypes and negative, unhealthy body images.