You'd Be So Pretty If...

How to teach your daughter to love her body--even when you don't love your own.

Dara Chadwick is the author of You'd Be So Pretty If...:Teaching Our Daughters to Love Their Bodies--Even When We Don't Love Our Own. See full bio

November 20, 2009

Girls and Body Confidence: What Do You Believe?

Last week, my 13-year-old daughter hit me with some stunning news: "Mom," she said. "I'm going to try out for the school basketball team."

"Really?" I said. "You are?"

I know, I know...that's not exactly a supportive maternal reaction, is it? But you have to understand. My daughter is just under five feet tall -- not exactly what you'd consider basketball player stature. Read More

November 13, 2009

Mothers and Daughters: The Body Image Trickle Down

Last week, I wrote about what's been happening in Australia, where several body image activists have been accused of being "too beautiful" to deliver a message of self-acceptance and body love to the "average" woman. Read More

November 6, 2009

A Moment of Body "Thanksgiving"

Last week, I wrote about my struggle to help my 13-year-old daughter find a Halloween costume that was fun, but not too sexy. It was no easy task. Read More

October 30, 2009

Halloween costumes: Is sexy empowering?

Earlier this week, I wrote a post on my You'd Be So Pretty If... blog about my daughter's search for a Halloween costume. Given the reaction it got, I'm reprinting it here:

I'm not usually a big ranter -- in public, anyway -- but at what point did a "holiday" for children become all about women looking sexy? Read More

October 23, 2009

What We Don't Say Out Loud: The Internal Dialogue

As Delta Delta Delta sorority's "Fat Talk Free Week" comes to a close, I'm curious: How did you do?

Were you able to refrain from making critical comments about your body? Were you able to avoid making jokes at your own expense? Read More

October 16, 2009

Talking to Your Body: Keep It Positive

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a group discussion of my book, You'd Be So Pretty If...: Teaching Our Daughters to Love Their Bodies -- Even When We Don't Love Our Own. Read More

October 9, 2009

The Mom I Want to Be

Last week, I wrote about a comment someone made to my 13-year-old daughter and me, saying we look like we could be sisters. Read More

October 2, 2009

The Body Image Moment I've Been Waiting For...

Last week, my 13-year-old daughter and I were taking a walk along a wooded hiking path when a woman approached us from the opposite direction. I smiled at her and she said, "You two must be mother and daughter, but you look like you could be sisters."

We laughed and exchanged pleasantries, but as we walked on, I glanced over at my daughter. I could see the wheels turning. Read More

September 25, 2009

Be Kind to Your Body Today

I've been displaced from my home office all week (thanks to the installation of a new floor), working remotely from the library and anywhere else I can find an Internet connection. It's been a frustrating, stressful week of trying to get things done without the comfort of my normal routines and usual workspace. Read More

September 18, 2009

What Do You Think? It's Your Choice.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit in with a class of eighth-graders during a meeting with the state's commissioner of education. It was the usual "stay in school, do your best" sort of conversation until the commissioner brought up the implementation of certain policies. Read More

Books by Dara Chadwick

You'd Be So Pretty If . . .: Teaching Our Daughters to Love Their Bodies--Even When We Don't Love Our Own

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