Health Information

Mothers as Role Models

The Self-Esteem Link

A direct connection exists between your physical health and your self-esteem. By becoming a role model for your daughter, you can help her live a healthier life. In addition, a mother’s weight, body image, attitude and health habits are strong indicators of whether her daughter is overweight, satisfied with her body and physically active. Girls look to their mothers for advice on healthy living. And they watch how we treat ourselves, talk about our bodies and practice healthful habits. Use the tips below to manage your health and be a positive role model:

• Choose a doctor with whom you are comfortable.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.
• Have a reliable source for health information.
• Know your numbers (height, BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol).
• Know your risk factors.
• Make a connection between your health exam and lifestyle.
• Make small changes you can stick with to enhance your current wellness.

Get to Know Your Daughter’s World

One of the most important and challenging aspects of raising healthy daughters is finding the best ways to foster open, honest discussions about health, beauty and self-esteem. Our daily exposure to multi-media messages about how women should look and act might not align with our personal values. Our girls want to have regular talks with us; however, they may need us to initiate these important conversations about growing up and becoming healthy young women. Need help? Use these hints to start the conversation:

• Tell the girl or teen in your life about living healthy and feeling good.
• Take note of the changes she is going through and celebrate her new self.
• Let her know you want to help her make safe and healthy choices.
• Make a commitment to your own health and self-esteem.
• Show an active interest in learning about "her" world:
• Explore her girl/teen world. Listen to her music, read magazines and watch television shows.
• Take a look at the websites she visits.
• Invite her friends over and provide a safe place for them to "hang out."
• Don’t insert yourself into conversations; however, become a reliable source of trustworthy information for your daughter and her friends.
• Talk about the images she sees in magazine, videos, TV.
• Ask her how she feels about the images she sees.
• Point out that a lot of media images are retouched or altered with computer programs.
• Help her combat unrealistic images and body types.
• Together, look for positive images and models of healthy living for her to look up to.

In the midst of our busy lives, make it a priority to spend time together. Let your daughter know that you were her age once and can relate to some of her feelings and pressures. Stay calm about the subjects she wants to discuss. End your discussions with positive comments about her abilities and future potential. You might write her a letter or share a special day together. Celebrate your relationship! You will both benefit.

---

Share this article