Thursday, January 15, 2015

Still learning but not in school

Ok so my daughter picked out this book for me to read titled "5 conversations you must have with your daughter" I only read two chapters and I am already learning and have to "use" it lol.
        So the first chapter talked about what beauty means to society and the pressure it puts on young girls growing up.  That according to social media girls have a very unrealistic standard of beauty. From the 1800s to the 1900s girls views of beauty were very different. One thing that struck me was that the author quoted a verse from the book of Samuel saying the Lord doesn't see things like man, where man only looks on the outside where God looks on the inside.  Also that in the 1800s skinny girls were considered unhealthy or even sick and now today's society, movies, adds, and TV shows are telling our girls that the skinnier the prettier. Chapter 2 talked about girls being late bloomers compare to early bloomers. That girls who develop early than their friends have a higher chance of being self conscious. Chapter 2 also talked about dieting and eating disorders.  Also to avoid that is to remind your daughter she is beautiful the way she is constantly tell her she is beautiful. As mothers we have to watch out what we say about our own bodies in front of them. To make your home more about nutrition instead of weight loss. And most important never teas your daughter about her weight. At a young age is hard to understand the nick names. The book mentioned cellulite. That cellulite happen to everyone skinny or fat. That cellulite is not related to being fat and that drinking water and dieting and exercising have no effect on getting rid of it or even preventing it. Lol
      So it made me think a lot that my daughters are growing up in a world where dressing sexy and showing  yourself. So the next morning as my oldest got ready for school. (Thank God she wears uniforms) I noticed her skirt was a little short and it was cold outside so I told her to put on tights under. She gave me big attitude and had a long face as we pulled out in the car. I was thinking how what to say, should I yell at her, should I make her wear pants from now on. I didn't know what to do. So I asked her why she didn't want to wear the tights she gave me attitude of course. So I just told her she is beautiful she doesn't have to dress like all the other girls to get attention. Her attitude changed,she did start to cry but understood what I was telling her. I let her know that she has a beautiful face as well as a beautiful heart and that was rare. That some girls have a beautiful face but a ugly heart so they have to dress a certain way to get attention.  But not get that Good had a person for her that will love and respect her. That God sees you on the inside and that's all that matters.  By then we had gown to get school and she had a completely different attitude. Now she gets ready on hey own and when I see her she is dressed right and even wearing tights.  I can't believe my daughter is growing up. I do plan on continue reading the book and for sure use it on my girls.
       As parents we have to tell our girls they are beautiful and teach them how to be modest. Because if we don't tell them they will fall for any guy that comes and tells them that they are beautiful and sexy.  Let's teach them sexy isn't priority, that they don't have to show off their body. What's in your heart is what's important. Let's be there for our girls and not encourage that they don't have to go dating just because their friends are. But also to keep the lines of communication open with your daughter. Encourage coming to you and not lieing, let them know that they can come to you for anything. Even tho it might get us mad whatever they tell us but we have to remember to not push them away because there is a jerk out there ready with arms own to get their claws into your girls.