Mirror, mirror... Is that really what my body really looks like?

How your daughter sees herself and what she actually looks like may be two very different things. When your daughter looks in the mirror, the image she sees looking back at her is called her "body image." It's influenced by both external pressures (TV, magazines, movies) and internal pressures (self-esteem and physical growth). It can be either positive or negative, or change as often as her moods. So how can you help your daughter like the beautiful person you see every day?

As she reaches puberty, your daughter's body will change-sometimes faster than her peers, sometimes slower. Either extreme can be hard, so the more you talk about life's changes, the more positive her body image will be.

It's a positive way to get to know your body. Plus, your brain releases all kinds of natural "happy" endorphins when you're active. What teen couldn't use more of those?

When you see an image on TV or in a magazine that you think is unrealistic, let her know. Only a very small portion of women look like models. When you see something positive, talk about that, too.

Help your daughter make smart food choices now. They'll stick with her for life and help her look and feel better-inside and out.

Help your daughter bring out her special features, whether it's her to-die-for hair, baby blues, or winning smile. That way, when she looks in the mirror, her positive features will be the first thing she sees.