Be your daughter’s Next Top Model

Be your daughter’s Next Top Model

By Tricia Rzepkowski
Published by Messenger Post Media
YOUR LIFE now (page 3)
Week of August 24, 2009

Everyone loves a good reality show. Whether you Keep Up With the Kardashians, or worship Dancing With the Stars, you’re seeing a “beautiful woman” on TV everyday.

There are many studies on the effects of the media on a girl’s body image, but there is another persuasive reality show that your daughter watches every day. You. If your daughter is an infant, 18 years old, or anywhere in between, she sees you as the model for what a woman should be. Are you being her Next Top Model?

This reality show is tough and many moms aren’t prepared. You may lack self-confidence, have low self-esteem or a distorted perception of your shape and size. You may not be proud of all your choices. Every day, a small part of your behavior is picked up by your daughter. Are you taking your lifestyle seriously enough to get the win? Here are some things to think:

Young daughters: you choose, she builds habits.
If your daughter is a baby, toddler, or a preschooler you have some time to build up your healthy habits. Right now, she’s a little sponge. She doesn’t yet perceive beauty, but she can perceive happiness. Happiness comes from being content with yourself. Take the time now to make small steps toward your nutrition and fitness goals. Take her on a stroller walk. Start to teach her about fruits and vegetables (and eat more of them with her). You will find that her habits develop alongside yours.
Elementary schoolers: you model, she tries it.
Girls as young as five years old are starting to look at TV and media and learning what is “pretty.” To her, you are the most beautiful woman in the world. Girls in this age group will try anything to be like mommy. So, make sure you are modeling a healthy lifestyle. When you count calories in your lunch, have her add up the calories in hers. It’s a fun math game! When you go to the gym, or play sports, teach her too Don’t forget to focus on your spiritual well-being, which shows her that beauty isn’t about physical appearance alone. Let her know when you are happy, and why. Show her how de-stressing and getting enough sleep are important in your day. Try to avoid complaining about your weight. The latest and greatest fad diets, diet pills, or restrictive dieting can all be seen by little eyes and have a lasting impact.
Tweens and teens: you share, and she does, too.
Your tween or teen daughter’s body and mind changes every day. Self-confidence and a healthy body image can make these years a whole lot more comfortable. You need to BE the woman she’s striving to become. By modeling your healthy habits you impart knowledge not by lectures, judgment, or criticism, but by example. Be a good listener, and let your daughter know about your struggles. She needs to know that things are not always easy, but that you dust yourself off and keep moving. Set goals, make a plan, shop, cook, and eat together. Be workout buddies and accountability partners. Take mental health breaks and reward yourself for a job well-done. Your happiness and behavior are contagious now more than ever. As she’s beginning to make her own decisions, your consistent mentoring and sharing will steer her in the right direction.

You can win!
Becoming your daughter’s Top ROLE Model is a reality show you can win - with just a few simple choices. Your healthy lifestyle will help you be real, available, involved, encouraging, humble, and a good listener for your daughter!
Tricia Rzepkowski is an ACE certified Personal Trainer and degreed Nutritionist who runs an in-home fitness and nutrition consulting practice geared toward women of all ages in the Rochester area. More information is available online at trainingwithtricia.com.

Tricia and Anna Rzepkowski stand ‘Strong & Beautiful’! Anna age five, loves to workout with Mom.