"Mom, I hate my body!": How to Help Your Child Through Body Shame

Lift the Shame: Mothering Free From Diet Culture, Food Guilt, and Body Shame

What would it mean to you to finally break free from the generational legacy of body shaming and diet culture in your family? This is the thought-provoking question we're tackling today as we discuss the complex issue of supporting our children in building a better body image. During our conversation, we'll be answering a question from one of our listeners about their 11-year-old daughter who is currently struggling with negative body image.
Our role as parents is not to prevent our children from feeling discomfort or disliking their bodies—these feelings are natural and part of the human experience. Instead, we aim to offer them a reassuring presence, to let them know they are not alone. We are not here to rescue our children from pain, but to guide them in learning how to tolerate these feelings and co-regulate with trusted individuals who can empathize with what they're going through.
So, how can we best support our children in their journey towards a healthier body image? It's not about rushing to the quickest fix. It's about acknowledging their feelings and responding with empathy, not empty compliments. This episode emphasizes the importance of building a deeper, more meaningful connection with our children, one that fosters positive body images and nurtures their overall well-being. Join us, and let's explore together the best ways to navigate these challenging emotions and support our children's journey to self-acceptance.

Questions about today's episode or do you have topic requests for future episodes? Please send your feedback via email to [e-mail] or connect with Crystal on Instagram.

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1. "Mom, I hate my body!": How to Help Your Child Through Body Shame (00:00:00)

2. Supporting Children With Negative Body Image (00:00:02)

3. Supporting Children With Body Image Issues (00:05:16)

4. Supporting Children's Body Image & Empathy (00:09:56)

5. Supporting Children's Well-Being (00:18:50)