Her Body Can is a body-positive children’s book about young girls practicing self-love and owning their positive body image. Authors Ady Meschke and Katie Crenshaw are also writing a body-positive book for boys called His Body Can. Her Body Can is a book of poetic self-love and body positivity declarations for all young girls. Its aim is to encourage our young girls to create a reality for themselves in which they love themselves and their bodies for exactly who and what they are, instead of learning to judge themselves and hate their bodies for what they are not.
It makes me happy to see all the books written for kids, especially in helping them accept themselves for who they are. I wish such books were available when I was growing up. Body image can be a huge stumbling block for both boys and girls. Always “chubby” and athletic, I was embarrassed by my “tummy,” my thickness or later my “boobs” which were substantial as a teenager. Wearing a two piece was out of the question. Now that I’ve grown out of that stage of caring what others think, I have yet to wear one, however I did have some very fun and revealing bathing suits over the years, just couldn’t get past my spare rolls.
When did I stop worrying what others thought? It was gradual. It all came up when watching an interview with the author Katie Crenshaw while explaining her own problems with self-image and not wanting her own daughter to fall under the spell of “not good enough.” She has received thousands of letters from thankful Mom’s all over the globe about how the book put a sparkle in their daughter’s eyes. The “ah-ha” moments we need. It’s a great read share for mom’s and daughters. Katie said writing this book also helped her unresolved body image issues. And by sharing it with good conversations and questions, she learned other things about her daughter that she otherwise wouldn’t have known. And her daughter learned more about her mom’s own struggles. Opening up. I hope those who have young daughters and read my blog will together read this book.
There are many empowerment books out there for grown men and women. To avoid issues later in life, having good resources and mentors can help avoid the pitfalls that life throws our way. Start early by finding them. For me, it was in the mentors of my mom and Grandmother and my own curiosity to find options and other role models. I grew up in the 50’s 60’s, and 70’s….50’s of June Clever, sixties of Raquel Welch, and 70’s of Gloria Steinem. It’s no wonder we grew up confused. I think of all the challenges my own mom and gramma had, especially my mom. While watching the documentary, “Gloria: A Life,” another wonderful insight was in the telling of the mother’s stories. As Gloria said so eloquently, many women feel they are “living the un-lived lives of our mothers.” My mother sent me “mixed messages” based on her own self-doubts about her own body image, after a few births and illnesses. The one thing that she always did, was love me unconditionally. That was my ultimate rudder in life. Learning to love ourselves is the ultimate goal.
Here is another worthwhile read to share with your sons and daughters. No Means No! Empowerment starts with saying what we mean and asking for what we want. When we are clear, it clears the way for others to act in accordance with our needs. Make this post a juggernaut journey to find your own self-worth and positive body image. No time like the present to jump start the next chapter in life with our full abundant selves.
You must be logged in to post a comment.