Comments on: Empowering Girls: Criticize Daughters’ DNA

By: jaymeeliz

jaymeeliz — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:05:00 +0000

I remember being seven. I was a chubby kid. My mom and I were looking in the mirror, then she gently pinched my double chin and told me “Look how prettier you could become without the double chin.” It’s not that I blame my mom for developing an eating disorder later on in my life. I love my mommy. But I just want to stress that every single word you say to a young girl leaves an imprint that lasts a lifetime.

By: Yaya

Yaya — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:44:00 +0000

So true. I grew up w/ low self-esteem that has since been remedied through counseling, so my biggest issue with children is building self-esteem and self-love and acceptance. I am a nanny and I make sure to always be positive and compliment everyday, because too many children lack self-acceptance at such a young age.

By: heatherj

heatherj — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:17:00 +0000

Remember, no matter WHAT you think of your looks, hair, etc., your little ones KNOW that Mama is the most beautiful lady in the world. So, yeah, it’s going to rock their world a bit to find out you don’t think so, too. They also are sure that no one is stronger or more handsome than Daddy. To our little kids, WE are the superheroes (at least until they’ve watched too much TV)

By: Tracee

Tracee — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:29:00 +0000

I'm sorry this is so difficult for you Tess.

I would suggest two rules: No self-deprecation and add one compliment to self a day.

Self esteem is very often a habit. You can either have a habit of self-deprecation or one of self-acceptance. Your feelings will follow the habit in my experience.

By: Tess

Tess — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:10:00 +0000

This is the hardest lesson I have ever been faced with. It far outstrips any law school exam I have taken. I am very careful to compliment my daughter’s insight, sense of humor, analytical thinking, and yes, her beauty, but I am not so kind to myself. I want very badly to learn to love myself so that my little girl doesn’t soak up any secondhand self-image smoke, but I am finding it increasingly difficult in this era of plastic everything and airbrushing thrown on top for good measure.