101 Ways to Help Your Daughter Love Her Body: A Practical Guide for Parents by a Clinical Psychologist and Award-Winning Journalist

by Brenda Lane Richardson, Elane Rehr

With negative messages bombarding our girls on a daily basis -- from misguided adults, from peers, from the media -- how can our daughters possibly feel good about their bodies? While you may not single-handedly be able to change society there are ways to make sure that your daughter's sense of self is strong and sustaining. In fact, this hands-on guide offers 101 ways! In 101 Ways to Help Your Daughter Love Her Body, two mothers -- one a clinical psychologist, the other an award-winning journalist -- have teamed up to provide parents with practical ideas tailored to girls from birth through the teenage years. These initiatives inform parents and encourage them to take active roles in helping their daughters develop confidence, treat their bodies with love and respect, and make peace with their unique builds so that they can revel in a sense of femaleness and physical competence. Psychologically astute and fun to read, this proactive guide will help define a new generation of healthy girls. There's no better time than now to help our daughters, young and growing, learn to love their bodies.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Childrens, Feminism

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting and not really what I expected. I was hoping for a book on ways to help Ellie win the psychological war that I constantly fail. It's scope is much broader than that, though, spending lots of time on helping your daughter to have a HEALTHY body (versus a healthy body image). So if you're concerned that your daughter is overweight this would be a great book. If your daughter leans more toward anorexia, probably less helpful. And if your daughter is a perfectly healthy weight with perfectly healthy habits, there's a disappointing amount of real estate on how to make sure she loves what she sees. There's advice in here about how to keep her from smoking, how to get her to eat right, how to help her to avoid sexual predators, how to help her set up good exercise and sleep habits, etc.

[Katherine Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good ideas, however it was overwhelming at times because I don't think I can excute them all while dealing with my own problems, but I will try for her sake.

[Nur Banu Simsek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published 20 years ago and unfortunately not much has changed for young girls since then. The problems that plague them have been exacerbated by technology and the internet age but the book and its 101 ways still ring true.

For a long time, I thought that if I had kids, I wouldn't want any girls, but reading this inspired a change of heart. Of course, I find it tragic that we live in a world where we need specific instructions on how to raise girls, but I am grateful that these sorts of resources and communities exist.

Despite the publish date, this book feels ahead of its time in many ways. It's philosophically well-balanced, and has a ton of practical advice and activities that would nurture a healthy environment for girls and young women.

It's not trite in blindly encouraging body positivity. The authors have a holistic and health-first approach where they give parents the tools for their daughters to have good relationships with their bodies. They focus a lot on physical activity as a way to appreciate the body and take care of it. They tackle unrealistic standards of beauty and the risky (and sometimes deadly) requirements of fashion and beauty trends. They touch on disabilities, cultural differences, possible sexual and physical dangers, disordered eating, and even the flippant language we use and how it all contributes to a culture that produces shame and self-hatred.

At certain points, a little cheesy, but overall intuitive and critical. I really loved it and I know I will return to it often.

[Meaghan Schaible · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little out-dated, but still great advice. It not only gave me ideas for talking to my daughter, but also for improving my self-talk! I think some of the passages could be updated, or even additional topics added to deal with new technology and social media. I'd be interested in a update from the author!

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

didnt give me any information that i didnt already know, but it did offer great reminders. outdated, but written 20 years ago does still give modern day advice. read it on how to reparent myself, and respond to the child in myself.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by a female journalist and psychologist along with help from other therapists. It's a good look at what parents can do to help their daughters grow up healthy with a good sense of self. The way the book is divided up is helpful and it's an easy read. I think all parents of daughters could gain some helpful hints by reading this book.

[missy jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some really good suggestions in here, though I had to skip several sections due to my general terror over the fact that my daughter will one day be a teenager. But for now, the suggestions in this book were very compatible with how I hope to conceptualize and talk about bodies with my daughter.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing I did not already know but a nice reminder to stop commenting on my forehead wrinkles so much. I do reject any suggestion that a stray comment from me will lead her to a life of self-loathing, body dysmorphia, and eating disorder. Not the author's claim, of course, but I am leery of much in the genre because some do make it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the mother of a girl, I really loved this book. Not only did it give me a touchstone for ways to help her develop a healthy self-image, it gave me insight into my own childhood and current feelings about my body. I HIGHLY recommend it to all women with daughters!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice-- not the schmaltzy blerg I thought it would be. Some things are still problematic but overall I was pleasantly surprised! I wish they would write one about how to help your son resist the lure of violent masculinity, but well...

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed this book in about an hour. Lots of common sense advise, with a few great ideas in between.

[Callee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic. Good place to start dialogue.

[Alexandra McEwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book has some great ideas on how to help girls keep their natural confidence.