{
  "id": 11000540,
  "title": "How to Talk to Your Child About Body Image",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-body-image",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-30T17:58:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/09/30/what-to-say-child-body-image/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When your child shares negative feelings about their appearance, it's natural to want to cheer them up with reassurances like \"You're beautiful!\" or \"You're perfect!\" However, this type of response may shut down the conversation you're trying to have, according to Dr. Whitney Casares, a pediatrician and author. Instead, experts recommend making space for those feelings and keeping the door open for further discussion.\n\nTo begin, it's essential to listen carefully to what your child is saying. Did they hear something hurtful at school or online? Are they going through changes during puberty? Understanding the source of their concerns will help you tailor your response. Validation is key—acknowledge their feelings without agreeing with their negative self-judgments. For example, you might say, \"I can see why that would have been really upsetting for you.\"\n\nExploring the situation further can help your child question the weight they give to certain remarks. Ask questions like \"Why do you think that person said that?\" or \"What do you think about what happened?\" Encouraging your child to find their own resolution can be more powerful than you insisting they're beautiful.\n\nWhen it comes to discussing physical differences, focus on the facts rather than reinforcing negative beliefs. Explain that bodies come in various shapes and sizes due to genetics, just as they influence height and eye color. This straightforward answer can help your child understand that their body is unique and there's no need to strive for perfection.\n\nIf your child asks if they're fat, resist the urge to give a simple \"No!\" Instead, ask them what the word means to them and where they learned to associate it with something negative. By doing so, you can address the underlying concerns without treating one body size as superior to another.\n\nWhen your child expresses a fear about their appearance, such as not being pretty enough for friends, try to uncover the root of their worry. For instance, they might be concerned about making friends or feeling left out. Discuss potential solutions together, like sitting with different classmates during lunch or seeking help from a teacher.\n\nWhen faced with harsh self-critical thoughts, try not to argue with your child. Instead, acknowledge that these thoughts are just the brain's production and not an objective fact. Help them create distance from the thought by saying, \"That sounds like a mean thought,\" and encourage them to explore the emotions it evokes. By doing so, you help them recognize when a critical thought starts dictating their actions, allowing them to base decisions on their values and passions.",
  "summary": "'But you’re beautiful!' will only get you so far.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}