I’m not sure if it’s just me a the moment, but I keep hearing mothers talking about with their friends and asking me about a pretty important topic…
“My 8/9/10/11-14 year old is putting on so much weight – she has a tummy when she never had one before”
Please, please hear me when I say: This Is Normal!
Your daughter is heading into puberty. Before she actually hits the big P, her body is already synthesising the hormones she will need – this includes oestrogen which will typically show itself not only in breast growth but in a little “puppy fat” particularly around a girls abdomen.
This will occur even if she has not had much weight on her before.
During this time, you probably aren’t the only one seeing these changes and this is an important time for you to help your daughter to embrace her new curves. The weight around her middle will soon distribute to her hips and breast – she will get some gorgeous womenly curves!
Unfortunately this is also a time where girls may start to diet as they don’t have an understanding of the changes of their body.
Help them to find joy in food, it is there to nourish us and provide them with all the energy their body requires at this time. Eating whole foods, ensuring sugar intake isn’t too high and for their hormones Omegas 3,6 & 9 are particularly important.
They will also look towards you, as their mother, for guidance on how to view their bodies.
What does your daughter hear you say to yourself in the mirror? The more love you give your body, the more you help your daughter to form a healthy body image.
Around this time is such an important time not only in a girls physical body but in her perception of herself – help her to always see her beauty.. for her futures sake.
Warmth and Joy
Emma
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