As I rush upstairs, my daughter Ava’s excited voice echoes from the bathroom, “Mommy, come quick!” My heart races, anticipating a potential mishap. Instead, I find my five-year-old standing on a stool, gazing at her body in the mirror, clad only in her underwear.
“I tilted it down and now I can see my whole body!” she beams, twisting and admiring her reflection. She flexes her tiny arm and proudly declares, “I’m super strong.”
To me, she is perfection personified, and it’s clear she feels the same. However, a nagging thought creeps in: one day, someone will tell her she isn’t perfect. As I contemplate this, a wave of anger rises within me. Some insensitive individual will inevitably point out that her feet are too big or that she resembles her father. They could scrutinize her slim frame, suggesting she eat more, or criticize her little thighs, implying she should eat less. Someone will come along and alter how my daughter perceives herself.
As she dances in front of the mirror, I wonder who might deliver such a message. She has a circle of friends at school, some with older siblings. Could it be one of them? Right now, the worst insult among her peers is “I won’t be your best friend ever again,” a conflict usually resolved within a day. The notion of telling one another, “I don’t like the way you look,” doesn’t even cross their minds.
Television isn’t to blame either. Characters like Dora dress in a way that doesn’t promote harmful body images, while others like Caillou are virtually androgynous. I doubt the pervasive negativity regarding body image is going to seep in from the screen.
I approach my beautiful child and give her a warm hug. “Look at us, mommy,” she says, pointing at our reflections in the mirror. I start to notice the gray strands in my hair as she poses with delight. As I frown and poke at the bags under my eyes, Ava starts to make silly faces in response. “Mommy, you’re beautiful,” she tells me.
In that moment, I realize that I am the one introducing negativity into her life. I’m the one who is unconsciously instilling the idea that societal standards of beauty matter. When she asks me to flex, I lament about my arm fat; when she suggests I wear my favorite black pants, I complain that my figure isn’t right. I’m the one who is inadvertently teaching her that her perception of beauty is flawed. I’ll be the one to introduce her to the harsh critiques of society, which will lead her to second-guess herself.
“I want to grow up and look just like you, mommy,” she says, and I’m stunned. She doesn’t see the tired, self-critical woman I see. Instead, she envisions a wild-haired goddess who protects her, loves her, and fills her life with joy.
Determined, I mentally expel the negative thoughts. I refuse to be the one who diminishes her self-worth. I won’t allow her to endure a slow erosion of confidence through constant judgment and self-doubt.
Starting tomorrow, I will affirm her beauty each day. I will repeat it until I believe it as fully as she does. One day, someone may claim she isn’t perfect, but I promise it won’t be me.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s essential to nurture a positive body image in our children, shielding them from external negativity. By fostering an environment of self-love and acceptance, we can help them grow into confident individuals.
Keyphrase: body image in children
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