We’re raising girls in a world where filters are the norm, “what I eat in a day” videos flood their feeds, and puberty hits earlier than ever. It’s no wonder body image struggles start young.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Melisa Holmes to talk about how parents can help their daughters build confidence in their changing bodies without shame, fear, or comparison. We’ll cover how to talk about puberty in age-appropriate ways, what to do when kids start noticing body differences, and how to handle tricky moments like when your child says, “I feel fat.”

You’ll also learn:

• Why body image starts long before puberty

• What not to say (and what helps instead)

• How your own body talk shapes how your child feels about theirs

• How social media is shaping kids’ self-worth—and what parents can do about it

To connect with Dr. Melisa Holmes check out all her resources at https://girlology.com/.  Follow her on Instagram at @dr.melisa.holmes and @girlology. 

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00:00 – The First Signs of Body Image Struggles

02:03 – Welcome, Dr. Melisa Holmes

03:06 – Breaking the Silence Between Generations

04:01 – Media, AI, and the Shifting Ideal

04:48 – Why It Starts So Young

07:02 – Boys, Girls, and Body Pressure

08:33 – Growing Up in a Filtered World

09:34 – Teaching Media Literacy and Self-Protection

12:07 – Modeling Confidence from the Start

15:23 – How Parents Pass Down Body Shame

20:22 – Reclaiming Joy in Food and Movement

22:49 – Puberty Talks Without the Awkwardness

26:51 – Raising Compassionate Boys Too

30:33 – Supporting Emotional Changes in Puberty

33:33 – What Every Girl Should Know About Her Body

36:22 – Parents, Schools, and the Role of Education

38:40 – Final Takeaway

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