Am I Ugly? Talking to your children about body image and self-confidence. TedTalk by Meaghan Ramsey

Did you know that more than 10,000 people every month Google the question “Am I Ugly?”…and most of these people are young girls. It’s shocking to think, but the social pressures facing our kids are brutal. We live in a world of airbrushed reality, plastered with images children are mislead to aspire to. What are they supposed to believe? Who are they supposed to believe?

I’m a huge fan of TedTalks and this one really hit home. Pressures mounting on the evolving self-confidence of our children are negatively impacting their lives and development. Who are your kids looking to for inspiration when you tell them one thing and the world tells them another?

Meaghan Ramsey of the Dove Self-Esteem Project talks about how we can help change all of this by educating and talking to our children about body image and self-confidence, by becoming better role models for our children, and by helping to build ‘a world where are kids are free to be the best version of themselves’.

Take a look, it’s worth the listen…

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love, your child

parenting, children, raising kids

Why don’t you? Change your perspective…

Inspiring Our Children

It occured to me, very shortly after my daughter was born, that, (other than the obvious my whole entire world as I know it has changed!)— that I have a very important responsibility to uphold in preparing her for the best life she could possibly have. Not exactly something to be taken lightly. So much thought on this has inspired me to do some deep soul searching about life’s meaning and what is really important and how these things affect our children.
Here are some thoughts…

BE the example:
Live Gracefully + Graciously. I think it is so important as mothers to be a great example for our children ­— to really show them, every single day, how amazing they are, how important they are, how valued they are. Not only with our words but through our actions. We need to show them how to be the person they are capable of being. They need to see kindness, acts of love, the wholeness of living. We have the power to build a solid foundation for their mindful + spiritual growth.

LIVE with intent
Living with purpose brings you peace. Children need to be shown how to live life with intent and elegance. To be taught that within their minds they hold the power to happiness, to change, and the path to their ultimate purpose. It is up to us to engage them and show them, not only their unlimited possibilities, but also how precious time is.

LISTEN
Focus. Children need our attention and their own personal time. They need us to listen closely to show them that their voice and their thoughts can make a profound difference in the world. We can encourage them to live greatly, to reflect on their importance and to act with confidence.

SEEK happiness
Happiness is available in every moment. This is such an important reminder. We have to be accountable for their pursuit of happiness — to show them that their impact can be great, teach them about being centered but aspirational, to celebrate their inner beauty. Time is precious, moments should be cherished, happiness is something we can choose.

FEEL LOVE
Love is the center of everything good. It is the basis of our creation. Children need to know love, feel love, and radiate love from within. Love is the center of everything good and wonderful. They should know that however much they give, more will come in return. It should be our greatest aim and theirs.

KNOW GOD
We are worthy because we are here. Children should know that God made each and every one of them and that they are each designed with a purpose in mind. We are all connected through God, he lights us from within. We should always walk in that light with purpose and gratitude, and strive to be a reflection of his grace.

We are raising children of God.
We must inspire grace within them.

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