Self-Esteem is something that is so important for girls. I know first hand because my self-esteem has not always been the best. I grew up with a sister who was thinner than me, had longer hair than me, had more boyfriends than me, you get the picture. If anyone ever said something about how pretty I was my mom’s response was always “You should see my other daughter, she is really beautiful.” What I heard was “You should see my other daughter because she is not a fat ugly cow like Rita.” My mom never even realized that she did this until I mentioned it her one day. Of course I was 30 years old when I finally did.
My self-esteem changed when I met my husband. He always tells me how beautiful and sexy I am. The first time he told me that I was like “yeah right.” He told me that I had to stop because Victoria heard me and would learn that it’s okay to think badly about yourself. He made me realize what I was doing was repeating the cycle. I learned to think of myself as beautiful and sexy and it began to show more and more.
Dove is helping girls have the same wonderful self-esteem (at the ages when they actually should have it.) This weekend Dove is inviting women across the U.S to participate in the Dove Self-Esteem Weekend. The theme is Vive Mejor Hablemos (Let’s Talk) and you should check out the site. There is a toolkit that you can download and take some time this weekend to talk with your daughter about self-esteem.
Vive Mejor has all sorts of information for you and I would love to know what you and your daughter (or any girl in your life) shared this weekend. How do you foster great self-esteem in your daughter?
**This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Dove and Latina Bloggers Connect. However all opinions are 100% my own.**
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
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All parents should have a talk with their daughter about self-esteem – the earlier the better.
What a wonderful movement, it’s so important for girls develop good self-esteem, but sadly movies and magazines idealize a harmful, unrealistic standard of beauty.
I read about this program a year or so again and think it is one of the best ideas out there! Women–at least since my generation–have grown up comparing ourselves to dolls. Completely unrealistic. I saw side by side pictures comparing models from a popular lingerie chain to real women in lingerie, and the difference was startling. The lingerie models that we usually think are so beautiful, that we usually compare ourselves to looked like stick figures compared to the healthy women. The real women were soft and had breasts and curves. I love Dove’s campaign to get us to look at ourselves in a realistic way. I’d love to see this expand to influence other advertisers.
This is such a great topic, especially for all women of all ages. I admit it is tough sometimes to take a compliment. We are all beautiful in our own special way.
I was the same way someone would give me a compliment and i would disagree I finally have learned to be happy in my own skin. It’s so important to be an example to young girls!
All parents should have a talk with their daughter about self-esteem the earlier the better. I’m already talking to my three kids about and we go over it and over it.
this subject hit close to home, My self esteem didnt really kick in until I was 40, I thought I had it when I was 19 or 20, but looking back I would say that was more self confidence.
truwinner@gmail.com
I like what DOVE does with this campaign, and it isn’t a ‘new’ thing for them- they have done it for some time. It’s important for companies to be socially responsible and they have been!
I have signed on with Dove on Facebook and enjoy their input on the world and women/girls. I hear you on the sister thing too…I had THREE beautiful, talented, smart and sassy older sisters to live up too. I was my worst enemy though and ended up with an eating disorder…so skinny does not = pretty for sure. It often equals sick and disturbed or depressed trying to be perfect. I see women of all shapes and sizes and my daughters are an example of how each woman has their own features and strengths. My daughters are at all different ages and is wonderful to watch them grow up into acceptance of themselves. They are not all there yet, but I know they will. I try so hard to comment on health of my kids and not weight. Because you only need one strong comment to push someone over the edge…it’s sad. I wish I had been a more confident woman years ago to set a good example. Your husband is right…kids listen and form opinions.
I agree that self-esteem is extremely important and we should teach out kids to have wonderful self-esteem and tell them how beautiful they are so they are happy with themselves.
Growing up I was always put down by my father, I do everything I can to keep my daughter’s self esteem high. I know this is the reason I have so many issues, and I don’t want her having the same problems I do. We also love dove!
I can’t believe you mom would say that (at least more than once). I know though… we all mess up as parents. I do it all the time. It’s a miracle any of us end up with any self-esteem!
I do love this campaign that Dove has though, especially including real sized women in their ads.
I was in the same boat as you – a younger sister who was thinner and more popular. I felt terrible about myself. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized no one was going to like me more than I liked myself and I needed to love my body. I have a son, not a daughter, but I think that all kids need to know their self-worth!
I’ve always had poor self image, but good self esteem if that makes sense-I was never happy with my looks but I’ve always been very proud of my knowledge. My daughter is 14-she’s thin and really pretty (I’m not just saying that as a mom) and she always complains about how fat she is and ugly, it is so frustrating! I’ve never let any of my old negative thoughts be a part of her childhood-it’s other girls and media. Dove is an amazing company that does so much for women/girls, I’m amazed everytime I hear something new. Great post-I hope ALL girls (and women) know we may be unique-but that IS gorgeous!!!
I really like all that Dove does to promote the fact that all girls/women are beautiful and we all look different. They showcase different lifestyles and body types in their ads. Promoting self esteem is a very delicate thing. Women/girls of all ages need a boost and criticize themselves when they are beautiful. I tell my daughter often that she is beautiful and give her hugs to make her feel special. We talk about how the models and actresses are made up to look a certain way but wouldn’t the world be boring if we all had surgery to look the same way. Plus, beauty is different to everyone. Help girls and women to find their strengths and compliment them on those.
Self esteem is so important and with TV, Movies, magazines etc usually promoting slim beauties it is so difficult for young girls and teens and women to be happy with themselves the way they are. Genuine beauty comes from within…Thanks for helping to promote awareness! Dove is fantastic for the role they play. So sad to hear about eating disorders other problems where underlying self esteem issues may play a part?
I absolutely agree, and also love what Dove is doing to inspire a positive body image in women and girls. It’s something we all struggle with to an extent, even though we are all beautiful!
Improving self esteem and being confident can help in so many ways. Im happy to see Dove prmoting these great projects
I think it’s great what Dove is doing! Self-esteem is important no matter what age you are, but definitely better to start younger, because it only gets stronger and stronger. It’s great to have someone tell you how beautiful or smart you are. Really makes a person feel good about themselves.
I am happy to see Dove promoting such a great project! Having good Self-esteem is so important!
This is a great program! not only for young girls but women everywhere! society has become comfortable with model’s and stars defining what a person should look like and people forget that what really matters is what’s inside! everyone should be reminded of that and I’m glad dove is taking the time to do this 🙂