In 1 Timothy 6, Paul tells the younger Timothy to fill his life with “great gain” through godliness and contentment. In verse 7, he reminds all who thirst for more material possessions, status, or money of a truth you’ve likely heard before: “We brought nothing into...
Body Image and Young Women
How Victoria’s Secret Impacts Body Image: A Letter to My Daughter
I wrote this quick letter to my daughter about her value a few months ago, the evening that the Victoria's Secret swimsuit special aired on national television. I think our girls have it tough on the body image front in this Victoria's Secret world we live in. I...
Real Women, Real Hope Dieting, Daughters, and Modeling Healthy Body Image with Kristen Maddux
What does dieting show our daughters? How can we model a healthy body image for them? In this episode, I talk to my friend, Compared to Who? contributor Kristen Maddux about her journey from being the "Best Dieter" in her Weight Watchers group to adjusting her...
How Do I Help My Daughter With Her Body Image? The First 4 Steps
I don't know at what exact moment it all changed. But I remember in third grade when I stood in front of the gold-trimmed, full-length mirror in the corner of my room and made an assessment that I would carry with me for decades: My thighs were large. This thought...
Stop Telling Her She’s Pretty: Help Your Daughter Feel Confident
As we continue our Helping Your Daughter with her Body Image Series, today, I want to ask you to do something unexpected to help your daughter feel confident. I want you to stop telling her she's pretty. Allow me to explain how this can help your daughter feel...
Confession a Real (Thick-Thighed) Swimsuit Model
Hi. My name is Heather and I'm a real swimsuit model. Thick thighs, post-baby flab, deflated nursing boobs and all. Of course I'm not the kind featured in Sports Illustrated. You'll never see me in a suntan lotion ad or on a billboard holding a summer-y beverage. My...
Helping Your Daughter With Body Image Issues
At barely six-weeks-old, I was forced to engage in my daughter's body image battle. I visited the office of my periodontist in an effort to overhaul my terribly messed-up, post-pregnancy gums. With an hour round-trip to his office, my husband and I deemed it wise to...
Help, I Think My Daughter is Fat! How to Help!
Today our "Questions" series continues with this SUPER tough one from a reader up north! Dear Heather: I have been encouraged by your posts and reminded to look past comparisons and to Christ. However, I'm struggling lately because my daughter is gaining weight and...
Looking Hot Versus Modesty: A Letter to a Young Woman
My Dear Girl: Where did the time go? I just saw your picture on Facebook and could hardly believe how grown up you look. You are not that precocious five-year-old girl to whom I used to sing the Dora the Explorer song. You are technically an adult now. Wow! But, as I...
To My Beautiful Brown Baby Girl
To my beautiful brown baby girl . . . Dear daughter: Mommy will be with you until God takes her home to heaven but God, your perfect heavenly father, will always be with you. He will be with you during times of injustices. You may be denied career, educational,...