I use to think that body image was a teenage problem. I am becoming more and more aware of body image as an all-my-life problem. No. I do not have a problem with my body. It is not perfect but it has born six children. It has, and hopefully will continue to, serve me well. I push my body to its limits frequently and it always responds positively.
What has me thinking that body image is not just rail thin models in magazines and plastic actresses on television and the silver screen? I have been listening with a critical ear to my female friends lately. I have asked several of these friends to join me in the pool mornings. Granted, not everyone wants to get out of bed in time to be in the pool at 5:30 am. The hour is seldom their problem with the pool, though. More times than not, I hear that I don’t want to be out in public in a bathing suit.
Unless you have a backyard pool, if you do not want to be seen in public in a bathing suit, you best not own one. Now, maybe I am in the wrong, but I do not go to the pool in the morning to check out other people’s bathing suits. I don’t really check out other people’s bodies (okay, so this may be a bit false as I love to check out other’s strokes so probably check out the body in the process). I get in the water and swim. When I get out of the water, I head for the locker room unless I have to speak with someone who is in the water.
What message do we send to our children when we tell them models are not “real” in size and body shape and then we play insecure with our own body image? We may not think this is a true issue with our children – regardless of their age. The problem is our children pick up on these innuendos, and probably quicker than I did.
Women of all ages need to embrace their bodies as they are. Our bodies are ours. Our bodies help us through our lives.
Do you feel comfortable in your body? Do you worry about being in a swimsuit in the summer? How do show younger women, and men also, that you have a positive body image?
Nicki's Nook 
Dealing with this in our house as well, but with the wife and not the children. She just bought a new swimsuit, as the others were falling off. A two piece, without stomach coverage. Probably the first I can remember since college. Every time Andria puts it on she asks if it is okay. She questions how she looks but also how others would judge her appearance. What I tell her is that if she did not look good (healthy as opposed to “sexy”) I would not have supported her decision to purchase said suit. Some people are oblivious. Some are hyper-sensitive. And others don’t give a shit either way. But we will always battle images.
I cannot imagine Andria not looking good in a swimsuit. It is so hard but she needs to feel comfortable in that suit to be able to not pass on insecurities to the children.
Not only do we need to feel good about our bodies – but we also need to have the ability to ignore comments made by others when they see our not-so-perfect bodies in swim wear.
That is true, Colline. People can sometimes be so thoughtless when engaging their mouths. Words can be hurtful.
I’ve always struggled with my body image, but never, not ever, would I voice that in front of my girls. I am so very careful to talk about what my body can do, rather than what it looks like.
Even so, I worry.
I struggle with body image. I know that I place way to much of my self worth and self esteem on how I look. Perhaps that is why even after having the worse hair cut for the last 6 months, I only think I look ok. I’m not as pretty as I used to be and it’s because I’m still sporting the worse hair cut known to man. It’s shameful. And, I know it. Perhaps that is the worse part about it. I know that I should judge myself by my actions as a person not what I look like. But, I can’t. It’s hard.
I have battled weight for a long time. I’m still battling it. One of my reasons for getting serious about losing weight was that I didn’t want to be the “Fat” mommy with the “Skinny” kid. And also, if I’m unhappy about my weight, how on earth can I teach Mads to have a positive body image? Such a catch 22
An “all my life” problem. Perfect way to put it.
And especially true in this country, I think.
Hard to believe that this is still an issue – for girls / women mostly, but not solely. I also tried not to do the typically “I feel fat” comments while raising my boys. Not good for either gender to hear that.
But I haven’t always done as good a job as I would like.