By: Jamie Thompson
Updated: November 21, 2014
Originally Published: June 5, 2010
Recently, I took my daughters, Mia and Lila, to Old Navy for our usual shopping excursion. As always, they were excitedly rummaging through dresses, skirts, and tops, ready to strut their stuff in the dressing room like they were on the most glamorous runway. In previous visits, I relished the joy on their faces as they twirled in front of the mirror, eagerly awaiting my enthusiastic “oohs” and “ahhs.” This time, however, was different.
Mia, now seven years old, is bright, tall, and undeniably beautiful. Yet, she’s becoming increasingly aware of the outside world, despite our best attempts to shield her from its harsh realities. When she emerged from the dressing room, she executed her twirl, but instead of beaming with happiness, her face fell. “This dress makes me look F-A-T,” she spelled out, her voice barely above a whisper. In that moment, it hit me hard: Mia would never again view her reflection without the weight of body image pressing upon her.
We took a moment to discuss why the dress didn’t fit as she had hoped. We considered solutions like adding a belt, and the kind clerk from Old Navy even offered to fetch us a few to try. After a bit more searching with her mom, Mia finally found a couple of adorable outfits that she liked, perfect for a lively seven-year-old.
However, this shopping trip represented much more than merely selecting clothing. It felt like a significant setback in our ongoing efforts to instill in her the belief that true beauty lies within, regardless of society’s opinions. With the constant onslaught of idealized images from television, magazines, and music videos, not to mention having a dad who has faced his own weight struggles, it’s no surprise that Mia has begun to notice her own body image.
But that doesn’t make it right.
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In summary, a simple trip to the store turned into a pivotal moment regarding body image awareness for my daughter. It served as a reminder of the importance of nurturing self-esteem and promoting a positive body image amidst the influences of the outside world.
Keyphrase: Body image awareness in children
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