7yr old worried about her size?

[ZuluWorrier]

Today's bombshell from my 7yr old DD:
"I really wish my legs weren't so big..why can't this bit [grabs thighs] be the same size as this bit [grabs calves]? I'm the only one in my swim class with legs like this."

After a short, admittedly quite one-sided, conversation about the amazing abilities of those legs (riding bikes, paddling through water, jumping really high, climbing trees, running fast, playing football etc) and the fact that we're all different in lots of ways and that's what makes the world great, she headed off to do something more fun.

I'm sat here feeling shocked & sad that this has a) happened so early and b) happened in spite of the care we take never to comment on appearance/size/dieting etc..

Hoping my quick chat has knocked it on the head for now, but has anyone else had this with their child?
What did you do?

[FATEdestiny]

What a bizarre thing to say

Her pinky finger is smaller than her little finger. Is that a problem?

Why would it matter that her thigh is bigger than her calf?

Her foot is smaller than her arm - does that matter?

Her ear is bigger than her eye, is that a problem?

One part of her body is bigger than another part of her body. And you turned that into... a body conscious issue?

That's a massive leap.

"Yes, your thigh is bigger than your calf. It's meant to be and is on everyone. It's how the bones in our body are"

[FATEdestiny]

Middle* finger

[ZuluWorrier]

My first reaction was "yep, but that's where your main leg muscles are, they help you walk run, jump etc".

I'm more surprised that she was actually worried that her legs were 'wider'/bigger. It felt a bit early, at 7, to have even picked up on it..

[ZuluWorrier]

*wider/bigger than the other girl's in her class..

[RueDeDay]

It's pretty common I think, my DD was worried about 'being fat' aged 6 as well. She wasn't the only one when I talked to other parents. Much like you, lots of positive talk about her body, about how strong and useful it is. She is also about 2 inches taller than anyone else in her class which doesn't help. It's worrying.

[ZuluWorrier]

Thanks Rue. I think I'm just sad that she's already picking up on stuff like this. It seemed to come from her noticing the difference (which is fine) and then feeling that what she looks like isn't 'right' (which is he worrying bit.