How to Talk to Little Girls

McGillicuddy13 · December 2011

Read this article earlier and found it to be spot-on.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-bloom/how-to-talk-to-little-gir_b_882510.html

I'm going to try to be more mindful of this myself. I wholeheartedly agree with everything she says, but I hadn't really thought about it much before. It's tough being a girl!

runnergirl2008 · December 2011

Having a daughter scares the crap out of me. I've struggled with body and self esteem issues my whole life and I never want her to feel that way about herself. Boys don't have it easy but girls are expected to be perfect and I want her to know she can be who she is and feel proud of that.

+PuppyWuppy+ · December 2011

My dad never really told me I was pretty - just that I was smart - ALWAYS that I was smart. I never thought about that until I read that article on one of my friend's FB pages a few weeks ago...

McGillicuddy13 · December 2011

I was thinking about the way I talk to SD, and I often tell her that she looks cute or that I like her skirt, etc. I also tell her what a great reader she is and how proud I am of her for doing well in basketball, but I'm thinking I should weight these things a little more heavily against the "pretty" comments. I, too, had serious body image issues growing up, and I want to make sure I do what I can to lessen that sort of thing for her.

+PuppyWuppy+ · December 2011

McGillicuddy13:
I was thinking about the way I talk to SD, and I often tell her that she looks cute or that I like her skirt, etc. I also tell her what a great reader she is and how proud I am of her for doing well in basketball, but I'm thinking I should weight these things a little more heavily against the "pretty" comments. I, too, had serious body image issues growing up, and I want to make sure I do what I can to lessen that sort of thing for her.

I am doing the same thing. Considering my SD is five and her mother allows her to walk around in public with more make up on than the average Lincoln Street whore, I have made a big effort to talk to her about school, her future, reading, writing, etc etc. This is one of the reasons I bought her the Game of Life for Christmas (including tons of stuff to write with) and more of an "activity" toy from Santa.

I really do think, no matter what, woman are going to have body images.

IPmama · December 2011

I never grew up with the encouragement I was pretty or good enough. I think if my parents would have told me I was pretty, I would not have issues today with self-esteem. So, therefore, I believe the comments of being pretty should be there, but of course not only about looks. I plan to encourage my daughter she is beautiful, but also smart. I want her to know, yes she is cute and smart, but along with that, she doesn't need anything to make her cute. She is great the way she is. I am hoping that I can teach her she doesn't need make up, certain name brand clothes, etc. I want her to look in the mirror and say I am pretty without all those things...ugh I hope I can anyway!!!

+PuppyWuppy+ · December 2011

I am REALLY bad - whenever someone tells SD she is pretty I always say "Thank you - she is super smart too!" Probably a tad overboard but I want her to grow up valuing more than her blonde hair and blue eyes. Anyhoo, I always get a side eye when I respond that way - oh well.

+buttercup+ · December 2011

I grew up in a household with high expectations but not a lot of praise. I was always (and still do) trying to seek the approval of my parents but never felt like I was good enough. It's something I deal with constantly and am trying to overcome.

WendyToo · December 2011

+buttercup+:
I grew up in a household with high expectations but not a lot of praise. I was always (and still do) trying to seek the approval of my parents but never felt like I was good enough. It's something I deal with constantly and am trying to overcome.

This is me, pretty much, even though my parents are dead so their approval is kind of imaginary at this point.

I agree that some pretty comments would actually have been helpful for me. I grew up thinking I was pretty smart, but I never thought I was remotely pretty. I never defined my entire self-worth in looks, but I don't think there's a single person out there who doesn't care about how they look. Kevin tells me I'm beautiful all the time, and it has honestly done a lot for my self-image.

+buttercup+ · December 2011

I can remember a handful of instances where my mother pointed out flaws in my body (when I was 6'0 and 140 pounds and a beanpole) but I couldn't tell you a specific incident where she praised my looks. I always made very good grades and got satisfaction from bringing home a good report card but again, never a "good job". I think praise in both departments could have gone a long way.

SunnyDaze31 · December 2011

+PuppyWuppy+:
I really do think, no matter what, woman are going to have body images.

Yes! I like to think that I'm comfortable with my body, but I still find myself comparing myself to other women sometimes. Not necessarily in a negative way, but definitely analyzing differences between our bodies.

How to Talk to Little Girls

Re: How to Talk to Little Girls

Choose Another Board

Search Boards