My Favorite Resources to Raise Kids Who Don’t Hate Their Bodies
TLDR: The messages kids receive about their bodies and food can either foster a strong sense of self-worth and a healthy relationship with food and body, or set them up for a lifetime of disordered eating and body image struggles. I’m sharing my favorite resources as a body image therapist to help kids develop a strong, positive relationship with their bodies and food. And as a bonus, it can be healing for the parents too.
How Can I Help My Kids Develop a Positive Body Image and a Healthy Relationship With Food and Body?
This is a question I get asked ALL the time. And most of the moms who are asking it, are also struggling with these issues themselves. You might be wondering why a psychologist who only works with adults is writing about resources to help kids develop a positive body image. And that is a fair and valid question!
And the answer is that as a therapist specializing in body image and improving one’s relationship with food and body, I have spent a LOT of time discussing how these issues developed for my clients. And in the vast majority of cases, it began in childhood. Research backs this up too - studies show that by age 3-6, most kids have already learned that thin bodies are better and want to be thinner.
I work with a lot of moms and, without exception, they all want their kids to grow up with a healthier relationship and messages around food and body than they had. I’m also a mom and I want the same for my daughter. But the million dollar question is HOW to do that, especially when you are still working on your own relationship with food and body.
The good news is that there are more helpful resources out there than ever on this topic.
And there are more all the time - be sure to check back for updates as I add new resources. Additionally, if you want resources geared toward helping you do work on your own relationship with food and body (or to further inform how you want to approach this work in parenting and in general), check out my post My Favorite Resources to Improve Body Image and Fight Weight Stigma.
Here are my favorites - selected because they cover exactly how to give our kids what they need to inoculate them in a world that will teach them their body is bad and wrong. These resources will arm you with the knowledge and tools you need to raise kids with a strong positive body image and a healthy relationship with food and body, even if you are struggling with this yourself.
Warning - it can be powerfully healing in your own relationship with food and body to do this work as a parent. :)
Best Books for Parents to Raise Kids With A Healthy Body Image
Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture by Virginia Sole-Smith.
Raising Body Positive Teens: A Parent’s Guide to Diet-Free Living, Exercise, and Body Image by Signe Darpinian, Wendy Sterling, and Shelley Aggarwal
How to Raise an Intuitive Eater: Raising the Next Generation With Food and Body Confidence by Summer Brooks and Amee Severson
Best Experts to Follow for Parents to Raise Kids With A Healthy Body Image
Zoë Bisbing, LCSW: A body image therapist who offers education and workshops for parents wanting to cultivate a healthy, shame free relationship with food in their children. You can find her on Instagram at @mybodypositivehome and Substack by the same name.
Laura Thomas, PhD: A weight-inclusive registered dietitian offering support via workshops and a free newsletter titled “Can I have another snack?” You can find her on Instagram at @laurathomasphd
Virginia Sole-Smith: An independent journalist who writes about the intersections of diet culture, feminism, and parenting. She has numerous evidence-based guides and interviews with relevant experts on her Patreon and podcast, both called Burnt Toast (some is free, some is behind a paywall). She is also the author of Fat Talk, listed above and which I can’t recommend enough. You can find her on Instagram at @v_solesmith
Best Books for Kids to Develop a Healthy Body Image
Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder (has options for board books and in Spanish)
Every Body: A First Conversation About Bodies by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli
No Weigh! A Teen’s Guide to Positive Body Image, Food, and Emotional Wisdom by Signe Darpinian, Wendy Sterling, and Shelley Aggarwal
The Self-Love Revolution: Radical Body Positivity for Girls of Color by Virgie Tovar
Start Therapy For Support With Parenting and Body Image in Los Angeles:
If you are afraid of your children developing a poor body image or unhealthy relationship with food or body, or don’t want them to have to struggle with this in the same way you did, you are not alone. It means you are a caring, concerned parent. And yet, it can be hard to know where to start, not to mention, challenging to navigate this when you are still struggling with your own body image issues. Start by following these steps:
Reach out for a consultation at Well Woman Psychology.
Meet with a therapist specializing in body image and moms.
Help your kids and yourself develop a healthy relationship with food and body.
About the Author:
Dr. Linda Baggett is the owner and licensed psychologist at Well Woman Psychology, a weight-inclusive, Health at Every Size, therapy practice focused on serving women in California,Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Washington. Dr. Baggett has ditched diet culture personally and professionally and now helps clients to let go of body shame, protect themselves from weight stigma, and develop peaceful relationships with their bodies without restriction, anxiety, or guilt. She also helps clients with trauma, relationship issues,pregnancy loss and miscarriage, infertility,perimenopause and menopause,perinatal andpostpartum struggles.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational and informational purposes only, is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice, and does not constitute a client-therapist relationship.