My teen daughter is self-conscious

QMy 15-year-old daughter is really worried about her appearance. She’s a goodlooking girl, possibly a little overweight but nothing to worry about. I tell her she looks lovely and she says I just say it as I’m her mother. She’s starting to stay in rather than go out and socialise, and I’m worried about her.

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AI understand that you’re concerned and it sounds like she’s struggling with her self-esteem and self-image. Also, from her point of view, being told she’s beautiful doesn’t mean anything, as she knows you’re her number-one fan! She needs strategies to build her selfconfidence. She may well benefit from seeing a counsellor who specialises in young people. She’s like many teenage girls, but do try to get her help before this becomes worrying.