It’s exciting and scary knowing that I’m in charge of raising this precious little girl in this crazy world with so many uncertainties!

Having struggled myself with a high school eating disorder that morphed for years into other eating disorders and body image issues… I don’t want that for my daughters or any other little girls.

I hope to raise them to be confident in their own skin, not worry about weight, what society thinks or what others think. I want them to be healthy and happy… To eat well because they know they feel better that way, and to be active because they feel strong, powerful and motivated to do so!

That starts at home and by living by example, in my opinion!
I know my girl is young still, and we have yet to deal with the bullies of others and the pressures of social media, but there are things us moms can do to help raise healthy daughters starting young!

Here are some things that we as moms can do:

• Don’t talk about dieting around your kids
• Do not talk negatively about your body around your kids
• Do not criticize pictures of yourself
• Do not talk or gossip about other women, celebrities, or their bodies
• Take a compliment and own it instead of dismissing it (when someone says you look great, not saying you feel fat or whatever you’re used to saying)
• Eat healthy foods and eat your veggies all the time
• Make sure dad also eats his veggies and healthy foods in front of them
• Do not use food as a reward (you got a good grade lets get ice cream) or punishment (no dessert if you do ____)
• Do not use food to soothe or comfort you emotionally
• Make exercising and being active as part of the norm around your house. Make it fun and not seem like a chore!