subject: Teaching Your Daughter About Self-esteem After Your Breast Augmentation [print this page] When I have talked to women my age and older about cosmetic surgery, I have been surprised to find that many of my peers have considered having a breast augmentation performed, but they are afraid they will send the wrong message to their young daughters about body image and self-esteem.
This anxiety is perfectly legitimate, especially because our society tends to label the women that undergo breast augmentation as shallow, promiscuous, and/or insecure about themselves. Well, I am here to tell you that that is clearly untrue.
And you should know that you can still raise daughters with high self-esteem and positive body image, though you elect to have this surgery performed. Let me give you some advice as to how that can be done.
First off, you should recognize that your approach may have to be tweaked based upon your daughters' ages, attitudes, and understanding. Every family is a little bit different, and every child has their own personality, so the "perfect" thing to say to Marie might be exactly the wrong thing to say to Kate.
Don't try to get your kids to mind their own business. Even a small child is bound to notice that you came back from the doctor with bigger breasts than you had when you went in, and believe me, they will be curious about why.
So explain it in terms they can understand. This should involve some reflection on your part so that you can also explain your motivation. If you are doing it in hopes of attracting more men, then you are probably doing it for the wrong reasons and should step back and reevaluate.
But if not, it's safe to compare breast augmentation to the many other things that both men and women do to change their appearance, which helps them feel better about themselves. Makeup, eyebrow waxing, leg shaving, hair dye--it's all part of what we do to help us feel confident when we step out the door.
It's important to teach your girls that there are many ways we can feel good about ourselves, and a pretty appearance is only one of them. Make sure that you impress upon them that the love of your children makes you feel good. Accomplishments at work or in school can be a source of self-esteem; achievements in sports can boost good feelings. Being healthy and staying fit can provide self-esteem, too.
Your breast size is just one part of who you are, and it's only one part of who your daughters will become. If they see that, then there is no reason to hold back on this measure to help increase your positive body image.
