How To Raise A Healthy, Well-rounded 'tween'

It seems like the media is targeting younger and younger girls every day with hyper-sexualized messages

. It's difficult to know how to let a little your little girl be--well, a child.

But there are some strategies that you can implement as a mom to encourage positive emotional growth and self-esteem in your darling daughter. Let me give you some insight to help you help her through this challenging period.

You should teach your daughter healthy habits as early as possible. Body image is so closely intertwined with self-esteem, so it's important for her to develop informed views on nutrition and exercise.

Don't focus on her weight and appearance; instead, teach her to focus on how it makes her FEEL to be healthy. Aerobic exercise causes the body to produce endorphins which promote feelings of overall well-being.

Encourage her to turn to fun activities like sports, running, or yoga to blow off steam when she is angry, stressed, or upset. That doesn't mean you should send her off jogging down the block by herself. Making healthy dinners, shopping for nutritious foods, and hitting the gym can be great ways to bond.

Beware of getting obsessive, though--you don't want her to go overboard and be drawn to eating disorders or nonstop dieting--so remember to share a bowl of ice cream once in awhile, too.

Pay attention to her concerns, no matter how small they may seem to you. You may be tempted to give her advice and tell her how her problems can best be solved, but try to prompt her to develop problem solving skills and face her challenges head-on in her own way.

There is a lot of smut out there, so do your best to monitor the content she is exposed to. That doesn't mean you should shelter her excessively or become controlling, but you can encourage her to read books featuring independent, smart, and resourceful heroines and purchase her a magazine subscription geared toward tween girls that are centered on your family's values.

Don't be afraid of the internet. As long as you use appropriate firewalls and other controls, your daughter should be permitted to explore fun and friendly websites. Teach them about internet safety as early as possible and to use a tween site if it focuses on encouraging her to try hard in school and learn new things.

It's normal for girls at this stage to be concerned over their appearance, so try to compromise without letting her go overboard. Let her know at what ages she will be allowed to "progress" to new makeup or get her ears pierced. For example, I could wear lip gloss when I turned 11 and mascara when I turned 13. This gave me something to look forward to.

by: Art Gib

POST COMMENT

How To Stop Sweaty Armpit? Using Electronic Cigarette Reviews Can Make You A Fan Of Smoking Again How To Become A Bodybuilding Champion - The Art Of Recuperation! Maximize The Results With Bodybuilding Supplements Abnormal Menstrual Cycle: Heavy Bleeding it's a Condition Called Menorrhagia Common Collie Health Problems Chinese Health Products Industry R & D Problems Insomnia And Reflux How To Relieve Gerd Symptoms? Want To Get Rid Of Gerd Symptoms? The Top Three Minerals for Healthier Skin Restful Sleep Getting Your Brain to Cooperate Menopause Herbal - Indicators And Symptoms Of Menopause - Top 12 Menopause Signs And Symptoms