Any creative ideas on how to encourage postive self image for a 5 year?

Fawndove - posted on 04/18/2010

Thanks Dawn, for responding and telling a little of your story. Yes we have created bad habits like eating in front of the TV, but we do have sit down meals at least twice a week and we say a little prayer. Her father maybe the one to blame for the fat comment, since he has a habit of not thinking before he talks, and has complained about his weight in the past. We will need to talk about that one.
She has always been active in at least one class every three months, she is taking swim lessons now and loves it.
But what i really want is some kind of personal ritual that we could do together that would bring us closer and keep the doorway of communication between us open. I have only read articles about what other mothers have done. Mothering Magazine is the best place i have found that prints works from parents that are still teaching their children from a holistic approch. I wish the book store would carry books that would help nourish the child within our children. I have gathered ideas and i'll keep them brewing until the right time.
Thanks again Be Well

Fawndove

Dawn - posted on 04/18/2010

ok, i noticed that no one else responded and i am deeply bothered by that...

first off, i think its extremely important... especially as a single parent, that you sit down together for meals, at a dinner table. not in front of a tv, or on the run... your daughter needs to eat with you. and see you eat. especially healthy foods.

secondly, if she is feeling fat, she has heard that from somewhere... maybe not in regards to herself.. but someone has called themselves fat, in front of her. if you have concerns with your body image, a very aware child, will pick up on this.

speak to her about healthy body types... let her know how her body grows, and the types of things ( exercise and nutrition ) that she will need to be healthy and strong.

enlist her in some type of activities that she will enjoy.. from swimming to soccer to art classes or dance... music lessons are a great avenue for expression as well..



at five... concerns about her weight should be a red flag, and apparnetly, you are concerned... i am thrilled about this.



i was almost eight, when i started complaining that i was fat. i was an average framed kid.. ( looking back at childhood photos, i can now see this.. ) by seventeen, i was in teh begining stages of annorexia as well as b ullemia... my mother was unaware. thought i was going through typical teenaged weight loss...

i wish she had enough awareness when i was younger and began voicing my thoughts... eventually, i stopped talking about it.

i am now an adult... and still dealing with bouts of bullemia... and have the mindset of an anorexic..



you are blessed to have open communication with your daughter... take full advantage of this time.

She is blessed to have a mommy who loves her enough, to question ... and she has reason to be proud of you...

Good luck..

always, Dawn.