How To Help Your Teen's Body Image
Teenagers are highly conscious
and critical of their own bodies. Many
girls worry about being too fat, even when their weight is normal.
Many boys worry about being too short. You can help your teen
to develop a better body
image in several ways:
1. Compliment your teenager, whenever you can,
about physical attributes. Too often as parents, we focus on what
we don't like. Find something positive and let your teen know
that you notice.
2. Don't tease him or her about physical characteristics,
especially about weight. Young teens take comments like, "Aren't
you getting a little heavy?" very seriously. Many parents
mistake a girl's weight gain at puberty, necessary not only for
feminine curves but also for normal menstrual cycles, for an inclination
towards obesity.
3. Examine your own feelings about your body.
If you don't feel good about your own body, you may be serving
as a negative role model for your teen.
Your own health habits, body image
and attitudes can greatly affect your teenager in positive and
negative ways.
Related Links
General Tips
Parenting Tips
Disciplining Your Teen
Rules & Limits
Teen Behavior
Sex & Relationships
Sex & Knowledge
Talking About Birth
Control
Talking About HIV &
AIDS
Talking About Puberty
Pre-Teens &
Body Image
Early Development
in Girls
Teaching Self-Esteem
Allowances
Boy-Crazy Girls
Sexuality and
Pre-teens
Drinking &
Drugs & Pre-teens
Issues
& Dealing
Problematic
Teens
Communication
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