My Daughters Self-Esteem

IMAG0597-1
Originally uploaded by mncoward

My oldest daughter is 8 years old and she has reached the stage where she has an "opinion" about how she looks. She wants her hair a certain way; she wants to wear certain clothing, and if she feels that something is ugly she shuts down until it changes or until she gets in trouble. I was teased a lot growing up so I understand how being teased can make you feel. As a result, I vowed that I would do my best to prevent this from happening to my children. About 2-3 months ago my daughter came home from school asking could she get braces. She said that some of the kids in her class were teasing her about her teeth. I had already planned to get braces for her because the dentist suggested it. I told her that she could get them but I also explained to her that she is beautiful no matter what anyone says about her. It is a priority in my life to let my daughters know that they are beautiful. Afterall, their self-esteem is forming now and I want to be the positive influence that leads them to high self-esteem.