Hello SFC Followers,
I am working on the follow-up to the metabolic damage article from a few weeks ago, but in the meantime I have come across a couple articles that I hope you’ll take the time to read. (By the way, TONS of you contacted us with stories on struggling with metabolic damage, so thank you for sharing.)

So, the first article, entitled “How to talk to little girls” is an enlightening article about how the things that we say to little girls can shape what they believe to be important.  If we are constantly praising her on her hair, her dress, her sparkly shoes or how darn-right adorable she is (though it’s likely all true!), it reinforces the message that those are the things that are important.  It made me realize that I probably do that very thing.  And, now that I have a new niece in the picture, I thought this was a very timely article:)  As she grows up, I’ll do my best to talk to her about what she’s reading, what new things she’s been able to do, and what she’s learning in school.

The second article is a bit more poignant.  Entitled, “When your mother says she’s fat,” this article is one woman’s powerful account of the way that parents shape their children’s values and perspectives.  But be warned, it’s very emotional.

In general, I hope these articles get you thinking about how unknowingly influential females are to young girls.  It has certainly made me think about the type of role model I want to be for my niece, and someday for my own children.