Girls and body image

[Miriam2]

Anyone know of an old thread on this subect? I'm sure there must be one! Dd getting comments from a so-called friend about her weight, my dd is perfect, sporty, eats well etc. Am really cross.

Don't know of any old threads, but it sounds like your DD needs a different friend!!

Is she jealous of her in any way?

Think so, meanbean, as a new girl has come on the scene and dd has been playing with her, been to tea etc. I'm pleased as this 'friend' was always a bit all or nothing, best best friends or sulking and leaving dd out. I intend to reassure dd (when appropriate) that she's lovely as she is. Guess I've got more of this to come, no experience of bitchy girls so far but I suppose it's starting.

DD's "best" friend (short, definitely not plump but stocky) a few years ago told my dd (tall, slim and leggy) that they should do exercises to get rid of the fat on the tops of their legs!!!!!! They were about 8/9 at the time!!

That's the age group I'm talking about too. It frightens me how body conscious some of her peers are. And as for the school disco- some of them look real little tarts. I know they're probably maturing earlier than we did, but I wish they could stay carefree for a bit longer.

I once heard a mum comment on her dd's "nice figure" ... the child was three years old! It still makes me feel sick to think of it. Kids are under enough pressure these days without that.

My 8yo dd is reluctant to wear ankle socks because some other girls keep going on about her hairy legs.

We've worked quite hard on jokey responses, and she did cheer up when it was pointed out to her that none of these other girls were exactly supermodels. There'll always be someone making stupid comments, so we figured that our best bet is to equip her with the right attitude to cope with it.

But would like to hear other people's experiences.