Talking with Your Teen About Body Image

From the first moment we see our children we know that their beauty is absolute and eternal. Yet with Hollywood, television, and print adds inundating our mind, conveying and harboring values of positive body image to our children can be tough, and you need all the help you can get - so here are some tips and techniques for breaking through that awkward conversation and talking to your teens about body image.

1. Start young. When your child is still a toddler, use medical terminology for body parts. This will lay the foundation for open and honest communication while teaching them the correct names and providing an accurate image of their body.

2. Expose your children to diversity. When kids see their parents engaging in healthy relationships with people of all shapes and sizes, ages and backgrounds, they're learning both respect for and appreciation of diverse body images.

3. Eat dinner together. Weather your talking about body image directly or just sharing your day, taking the time to stop and enjoying a meal as a family is a great way to engage your children in an ongoing dialogue.

4. Turn off the TV and pick up a book. We're all aware of the cookie-cutter images Hollywood's brings, and while TV ratings have certainly helped us get a better understanding of content, it has not been a catalyst for the reduction of inappropriate images. Disassociate your child with inappropriate body images by shutting off your TV and starting family reading time. Your child's love of reading and reading comprehension will benefit and their imagination will cast the characters.

5. Share your own vulnerabilities with body image. There are non of us impervious to body insecurity. Letting your kits know about your own trials and tribulations establishes a level of trust and assures them that their own feelings are valid and normal.

6. Enroll your child in programs like the Scouts or sleep away camps. Groups that are adult supervisor and teen run let children break away from their school and family obligations while submerging them fully within their peer group, and by giving kids the space to discover their micro-and macrocosm on their own they are laying the foundations of self confidence.

7. Start a slumber party. Teens are social networking creatures and joining together with other parents to talk about tough topics like body image can relieve some of the pressure and gives teens a safe space to process the information with their peers.

8. Approach teens with humor. It's natural for your teenager to giggle and using this laughter is a great way to break the ice, and showing your teen that issues of body image aren't that serious can help lighten the mood for more serious talks.

9. Talk in the car. There are subject that make even the seasoned parent squirm - and body image can be on of them. Talking in the car lets you and your teen look forward and lets you avoid that all too uncomfortable eye contact.

10.Use popular culture to start a discussion. Teens grow up, watch "R" rated movies, and are exposed to adult content at every turn. Instead of ignoring or condemning these acts, use the latest movie or celebrity drama as a talking point and you might find out they have more questions then their letting on.

A positive body image is something we all wish our teens to have, and teaching your children by example is the best way to convey the values and morals we wish for them. Take the time to talk with your kids about their body - and remember, we are all made in the image of divinity.