Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Zoe Armstrong: Five Ways to Fake a Break and Avoid Parenting Burnout
Lianne Castelino and Andrea Howick: How Do You Deal With Nightmare…
Body image and bikinis
Filed under: Big Kids, Tweens, Teens
I remember the instant I became aware of my body as something other than a place to hang the clothes my mother bought me. I was nine years old, standing at the edge of a swimming pool in my purple velour bikini, when all of the sudden it hit me that I was practically naked in public. I jumped in the water to cover up, and from that day forward I wore a one-piece bathing suit.I have come full circle with my own body image. After spending my 20's and 30's feeling imperfect and displeased with what I saw in the mirror, I made a conscious effort to love myself the way I am. I am not overweight or unhealthy. I am just 41 and it is what it is. And it's good. I wear two-piece bathing suits again and I don't care who sees me.
These days, when I watch Ellie parade around her room in her underwear, unselfconsciously watching herself dance in the mirror, it makes me wish she could stay that way. She doesn't look at her little round tummy and think it's too big. She sees her own perfection and is satisfied with who she is on the inside and out.
I know that some day she will experience a similar moment of awareness of her own body. And like most of us, she will probably compare herself to other girls - real and airbrushed. I just hope that she can learn to love what she sees a lot earlier than I did.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
How Yoga Delivers Many Mind-Body Benefits
Yoga is ideal for developing and improving flexibility, strength, balance and fitness, even though it's a nonaerobic form of exercise. It also helps us focus, clear our minds, and do something that's totally “for ourselves.” In this Mind Your Body TV episode, expert Geo Moskios shows us baby boomers some yoga basics, as well as advanced moves, so we can decide whether yoga is for us.
-
Expert: Armstrong Body Language 'Unsettling'
Body language expert and researcher Patti Wood says she found cyclist Lance Armstrong 'unsettling' while watching him during an interview with Oprah Winfrey that was broadcast Thursday. (Jan. 18)
-
How a Woman's Body Changes Through Her Life
In this edition of EmpowHER's "HER Health Expert", renowned fitness expert and author Dr. Pamela Peeke discusses the various body changes that a woman will go through throughout her life.
-
Body Shape and Youthful Look
In this video, dating expert, relationships expert, Gloria Macdonald, explains how your body shape ties in with the appearance of youth and health.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-25-2007 @ 12:22AM
Maureen said..."She sees her own perfection and is satisfied with who she is on the inside and out."
I just love this sentence! I often think this about my 2-year-old daughter. She is completely comfortable in her own skin. She loves to look at herself in the mirror and make crazy faces... she just loves the way she looks (as do most toddlers). I don't remember the time when I felt like this but I hope she always holds on to her self-love.
Reply