Your Daughter’s Body Image

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Studies show that adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to developing a poor body image. Between media displays of “ideal” bodies and a desire to be admired by a peer group, girls can feel a great deal of anxiety about their changing bodies. To ease the pressure and encourage self-esteem, there are a few things you can do.

Compliment your daughter on her appearance. Tell her you like her outfit or the way she did her hair today. Remember that teasing, no matter how harmless or playful it may seem, can make her feel self-conscious about her physical attributes or weight.

If she’s feeling that she’s developing either faster or slower than her friends, reassure her that girls grow at different rates. Remind her that, eventually, everyone will catch up to one another. And everyone will look a little different and beautiful in her own way.

Acknowledge and compliment achievements not related to her looks: academics, arts, sports, acts of kindness. Remind her that she is a great person inside and out.

Positive reinforcement is crucial for your daughter. If she has a legitimate weight problem, deal with it. But do it in a way that doesn’t make her feel set apart from the rest of the family. Instead of putting her on a diet, provide healthy meals and exercise opportunities for the whole family.

Finally, examine your own body image. Your attitude may directly shape your daughter’s. If you feel good about yourself, she’ll be more likely to feel good about herself.

If you found this helpful, these articles and forums might help, too:
Article: Emotional Issues of Growing Up

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What others are saying

lasaun, 6/29/2008 3:21:14 PM
I think its okay to have your period . When i first had mine i was so scar.
dede, 7/1/2008 1:42:38 PM
when i fir put in a tampon i was amazed i dident hurt my self!!!
Breannah, 7/6/2008 5:02:45 PM
When my daughter was about to have her period ,she had brown sticky stains in her underwear she told me
i told her the docter can tell u
Stacy, 7/17/2008 7:20:01 PM
When I first had my period, I didn't tell my mom until the next month. I was so embarassed. In the end, its not a big deal.
Stacy,7/17/2008 21:44:01 Pm, 7/22/2008 2:46:36 PM
having your period is not so bad if you get us to it
mom of ejj, 8/8/2008 10:29:47 PM
my daughter was upset with her health teacher because she felt they had lied to her. They had told her there would not be too much blood. But she gets a very heavy period at the age of 11 and it is regular. So just remember that what you are told can be different from what you may face as an individual
Nasha 8-13-08, 8/14/2008 12:48:21 PM
when i got my period it started at midnight last night but it didn't really come until today
melissa, 9/1/2008 12:26:32 PM
is your urine supposed to be dark??help!
par, 9/25/2008 7:32:21 AM
i got my first period like last month and it still did not come back and it has been exactly one month

helpppppppppppp??????
to par, 9/27/2008 10:24:59 AM
because you just started, don't expect your period to come regularly for a while. it will probably skip months or come within a month of each other. to keep track, you can write down each day that you have it and anything else you want to add, like it was light, or heavy.
bonnie, 10/19/2008 7:55:03 AM
my period began when i was 9 years old thats when my mom got me tampons
hannah, 10/24/2008 5:22:35 PM
I have triplits, and there doctor says there having there period in a week. My other girls (twins) there only 9, they wont be having there period. But this really helped!
anna, 11/20/2008 4:07:51 PM
when i got mine for the first time it was not really coming out or anythuing but it was there when i wiped then i did not wear a pad then it got in my underwear so if its like that for you wear a pad
sha, 11/23/2008 5:41:41 PM
to par.. dont worry.. the first year is very unpredictable. you may not get your period every month the first year.. my daughtwer got hers 9 months after the first time..
Was Confused, 12/1/2008 12:54:28 PM
Im 16 and my mother sometimes teases me about things. Just little things.
She loves and adores me and always lets me know Im the most important thing in her life. Shes a single mother who had me at 16 and has NEVER EVER said a harsh word to me.
But even though all of this is true it still really hurts when she "teases". Even a small comments like "O.o ummm is that REALLY what you want to wear??" can throw your duaghters whole day off.

Dont worry Im not all depressed or anything :)
Just informing
Getting Used to It, 12/11/2008 7:40:08 PM
Periods aren't that bad. They are annoying sometimes because they appear right as your going to do something and then you can't participate in that activity (ie. swimming, etc.), but they're nothing you can't get used to! Life WILL go on!
GENEVIEVE, 12/12/2008 6:56:10 PM
I GOT MY FIRST PERIOD WHEN I WAS 14, I'M 16 NOW, AND IT'S NOT ALL THAT BAD, JUST WEAR A PAD AND GO ON WITH YOUR DAY...FOR ACTIVITIES WEAR A TAMPON....GO ON WITH YOUR DAY....THAT'S LIFE!!!!!
Ginger, 1/12/2009 6:10:51 PM
Ok so I got my period one month skipped the next and got it the next month.Now im about due for another one but im scard I might get it at school......and yeah.and I wear a pantyliner everyday but I dont think that will protect me all day if i do get it??Do you?HELP!!
serena, 3/7/2009 9:10:17 AM
i am 29 yrs old and about 6 months ago started having irregular period dates, soon after that i started a real heavy flow, more than my normal heavy flow. 1 reg. tampon and 1 reg always pad every 45 min. with alot of folding pains. should i be worried?
I had a tubal 4 1/2 yrs ago. Is this out of the norm, should i see a docter?
serena, 3/7/2009 9:13:26 AM
How much is too much when mother nature visits. I usualy use 1 pad every 2-3 hours, but lately 6 months ago started using 1 tampon and 1 pad every 45 min.
is this unusual. I 29 yrs old and had a tubal 4 1/2 yrs ago?
Mina, 3/8/2009 4:05:05 PM
I hadn't my period for over a year now. and I turned 15 this month and I still didn't get it?!?! Is this normal? my doctor said its fine, but I am still worried!

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shamise, 3/27/2009 10:50:41 PM
um i got mi period like 2 months ago and my mom doesnt know and no one in my family knows ecxept me and i have to go to the store with one of my best friends and she has to go with me and get pads and i dont know when to tel my mom

HELP!
i am wating, 4/6/2009 6:21:57 PM
i have not had my period yet but how do i get ready with out people knowing and i have fluid come out but it is clear at lest 4 times a day! what do i do please help me i just need some one to talk to so please replay
Tina, 4/14/2009 9:44:02 PM
I didn't have my period since last year. And I am 15 years old. Every girl in my class has their period. I get cramps and mood swings often.

HELP ME PLEASE! I AM SCARED
Niki, 4/27/2009 11:15:56 AM
I got my period today and I am so excited, like I want it really bad is this normall?

please someone answer because I want to know if I am wierd.
angel, 5/5/2009 4:02:30 PM
to i am wating. i havent had my first period yet but ive done some research and the clear fluid is probably discharge if im right then you'll probably have your first period soon. hope this helps
kelyn, 5/7/2009 6:47:21 PM
i have had my period 2 times
einalem, 6/1/2009 9:01:08 PM
my friend says that im pmsing. what does she mean by that? p.s i havent had my first period yet
Hope this helps, 6/12/2009 4:36:20 PM
to einalem,
PMS stands for premenstrual symptoms. Its kind of like girl code. Girls use it when they are having symptoms that come right before their period every month. If you'd like, try going to the my period section of this website and look up PMSing.
kayla, 7/10/2009 12:06:20 AM
i am a hottie who got their period when making out with their boyfriend!
caitlin, 7/12/2009 9:54:21 PM
I get my period on the 15and16 of the month this is almost my second month and I still didint tell my mom about my period. How should i tell her and still be comfortable while telling her?
karli, 8/25/2009 1:54:17 PM
i honestly just got my period i only told my bff im so dont wanna tell my mom because im scared she will make a big deal any advice
13yr old pain reliever, 9/16/2009 1:49:51 PM
about 30 min ago i was going to pull my hair out from cramps but honestly a heating pad, not thinking about it and being occupied with something else actually makes it better.
i even called my mommy from work asking if she can come home lol
Kayla , 11/29/2009 6:25:15 PM
im 15 1/2 sophmore in high school, i started my period 2 years ago and only get it every 6 months i have heard thts not normal and my Dr. wants 2 w8 till i am 16 or 17 2 put me on birth control but i dont really wanna w8 tht long considering havign ur period that unregular is not good ,it can cause build up in the falopian tubes, on the cervix, and ovarian cysts, im thinking about going 2 c a OB/GYN because i am very experienced with stuff about medical because i am studying that in highschool, so i know alot about this stuff and i know its not healthy at all. so please any advice, because my last option is GYN which i think mom getting a referal first from my PED and than making appot hopefully 2mrw . good luck with everyone!
abi, 2/12/2010 4:30:09 PM
i just got my period 4 months ago!! it actually doesn't bother me.
i don't want to tell my mom i have like this discharge because she'll schedule an appointment with the doctor and i don't want her to. i am one of the girls that you can tell i am growing up from my boobs, and at the corner of my face theres little pimples and you can see them. everyone is always saying i look pretty(but i consider myself fat). wat should i do???

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