BODY-POSITIVE KIDS
How to raise your children – or grandkids – to love the skin they’re in
From the rise of body positive influencers, to an increasing number of plus-size models at international fashion shows, the world is slowly changing the way it talks about appearance.
Even so, kids and teenagers still face a number of pressures from peers and the world around them, which can create a negative sense of self-image.
The good news is families can have a huge positive effect on how kids see themselves, and it’s never too early to start laying the foundations. It’s the inspiration behind body image activist Taryn Brumfitt’s new documentary film Embrace Kids, as well as her book of the same name, which she co-wrote with body image expert Dr Zali Yager.
“What you say in front of your kid matters and it has an impact,” says Taryn.
SWITCH THE FOCUS
Rather than focusing on how we look, encourage kids to value their bodies for what they can do. For instance, if your child asks, “Why is your tummy so squishy?”, avoid saying anything that makes it sound like you think squishy tummies
are a bad thing. “Often mums will say, ‘Oh, it’s because I ate too much cake,’” says Dr Yager. “That’s not the message we want to be sending.” Instead she suggests, “Oh, that makes me much more comfortable to cuddle.”
FRAME CHANGE AS NORMAL
Explain to kids that the changes they go through during puberty are healthy and normal. “Girls have to double their body weight between the age of nine and 18 in order to grow into an adult body,” says Dr Yager. “I think it’s good for them to have the expectation that they won’t just stay the same size. Their body is pre-programmed. And it’s designed to increase in size and shape.”
FOOD ISN’T ‘BAD’
Dr Yager says it’s normal for kids to develop a bigger appetite as they approach the growth spurt years, which begins at around eight or nine. “Children can go through huge growth spurts at this age. And they don’t always increase in height and weight at the same time,” she explains. “It’s OK if they are suddenly eating so many sweet things. That’s their body storing up all the energy that it needs to literally grow taller.”
AVOID SELF-SHAMING
Kids also need to see us be kind to ourselves so avoid making self-deprecating comments about the way you look. Dr Yager says another positive move is to ditch the scales. “Weight is a very poor indicator of anything, let alone health,” she says. “And we definitely don’t want young people to see us weighing ourselves.”
If you’re concerned your child may have an eating disorder, or is experiencing body image issues, call The Butterfly Foundation hotline on 1800 33 4673.