Page 53 - Dinq 219 April_ 2021 FiNaL

Kids/Parents Corner

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3 Things You
habits, exercise, and body image. So all that is
Need to Stop fair game. The trick is to learn to do that in a
way that emphasizes health over body
Saying shape. Already our girls deal with the burden
of cultural beauty standards that are impossi-
to Your Daughter
ble for most humans to attain without digital
manipulation. Don’t add to that by criticiz-
Y o u r words are powerful. They cre- ing her weight. Ensure she’s making generally healthy
a t e the world your kids inhabit choices for herself and praise or challenge her for
t o a large degree. Obviously those choices.
they aren’t the only factor,
3. Do you like that boy?
3. Do you like that boy??
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but they are a large con- 3 3 . . D o y o u l l i i k e t h a t b o y ?
tributing factor to deter- Again, it’s not that you can’t or shouldn’t ever ask
mining how our daughters her this question. But don’t obsess over it.
view themselves and their
place in “The things dads say
t h e “The things dads say to to their daughters
world. will play a signifi-
their daughters will play a cant role in how
Here are 3 things they see them-
dads say to their daughters that we significant role in selves.”
need to rethink.
how they see themselves.” We’ve all talked to
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1. Don’t be so bossy! that dad who is tell-

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1. Don’t be so bossy!!
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ing you about his
Bossy is rarely a word used for boys. For a variety of daughter’s “boyfriend” in preschool. Some dads (and
reasons, it’s a term we use for girls (and sometimes
moms) make it a constant point of reference to the
even women) when they are being assertive. But the extent that when their daughter is single, it seems as
unintended (or intended) consequence is our girls though something is wrong. This is incredibly un-
learn that it’s not their place to say what they think.
healthy and creates a significant amount of pressure
Instead, let’s work to build our girls’ confidence to for these young women to “need” a relationship. We
share their opinions, even as we emphasize the impor-
need to help our daughters see themselves as whole
tance of respecting others who disagree with them. people apart from a romantic relationship. If she
can’t be OK without a boyfriend, she’ll never be OK
2. You’re putting on weight.
2 2 . . Y o u ’ ’ r e p u t t i i n g o n w e i i g h t .
2. You’re putting on weight..
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with one.
This is a weird place for dads. Of course we care
In the end, the things dads say to their daughters will
about our daughters’ health and we want them to
play a significant role in how they see themselves.
thrive physically. As a dad, that means you have to
Let’s choose our words wisely.
have conversations with your kids about healthy eating
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DINQ MEGAZINE April 2021 STAY SAFE 53