Sad things kids say

[Calamity Jane]

I was talking to my 5 year old yesterday, and she asked me if she could be a movie star when she grew up. I said "Of course, you can be anything you're willing to work hard to be."

I also pointed out that being a movie star, playing Olympic hockey, owning a pet shop, and being a ballerina might take a little more time than she'll have...

She said... "Oh well, Mom. You have to be really pretty to be a movie star, and no one but you thinks I'm pretty."

How sad is it that a 5 year old already thinks she's not good enough? I told her that she's wonderful and beautiful and amazing in so many ways, I couldn't even list them all. She told me I only think that because I have to.

She's only 5! Why is she even thinking about this stuff?

 

[Rambling Rose]

Throw out that television set, PCG! It's poisoning your baby girl!

 

[april-wine]

It sure is mind boggling how kids are already into body image at young ages......My niece is 4, she has said some of the very same things......Hmmmmm yep, TV is a big influence.......

 

[Calamity Jane]

Throw out that television set, PCG! It's poisoning your baby girl!

She doesn't watch television, really. Except for PBS cartoons in the morning before school.

I honestly have no idea where this comes from.

 

[Rubyfruit]

That is so sad, Girlie.

I think you should talk with her teacher and see if anything came up at school.

My only experience so far with kids that age is my son and he thinks he's handsome and will tell you so. lol

I hope my girls maintain that attitude as well.

 

[bluntforcemama]

That IS sad. Throw away everything that the media has tainted!

 

[lobito]

OR just set her down, and tell her that regardless of what images society says we must fulfill, that it's all just a bunch of shit, and that it REALLY IS what's on the inside that matters most.

 

[Rambling Rose]

Yeah, but no one ever believes that, Lo.

 

[lavender]

 

[Rambling Rose]

lavy, I hate to say it but...huh???

 

[SexySlut2]

That is very sad! You should just keep telling her how beautiful she is and reinforcing her self confidence. Also let her know that while looks do matter in todays society they aren't everything. Looks fade away eventually, personallity doesn't.
I

 

[Kitte]

That is so sad, but I can relate. I have a 9yo step daughter who has severe exzema and food allergies. Until the age of 7 she was always on some sort of steroid which has caused thining of the skin which is akin to scarring. She is also tall for her age and overweight. She will never be a model but to me she is beautiful. And to hear this stunning child praying to god to give her normal skin has broken my heart more then once.

 

[lobito]

how about when a child tells you YOU'RE ugly? And means it.

 

[lavender]

 

[Rubyfruit]

how about when a child tells you YOU'RE ugly? And means it.

Heehee -

One time my nephew told my brother that he wanted to grow up and have a belly as big as his dad's.

 

[lobito]

Heehee -

One time my nephew told my brother that he wanted to grow up and have a belly as big as his dad's.

How often has "your"(step) 5 year old come up to you and tell you, "you are ugly, I am beautiful"? with only the most serious look on her face.

 

[sunstruck]

My neice is 3 and at Easter Supper she asked me if I thought she was fat! First of all, she's not even baby chubby! Second - she's 3!
My sister-in-law is constantly going on about her diet (this from a woman who can't weigh over a buck 10) and before this I never thought about how it might affect the girls.
I went off a bit on her, but REALLY bothered me! She has to think about these things. Kids hear EVERYTHING.
Unfortunately she'll probably pick this kind of shit up in school too. Just because you try to protect your kids from media madness doesn't mean all parents do and kids share their views with eachother on everything.

 

[Guest]

The poor baby.

 

[truegentleman]

That is truly sad, but you can't wrap your child in a cocoon, and protect her from the world. You have to get her to see a positive image of herself, and have the strength and confidence to believe in who she is. Then no matter what, she will be able to handle any negative comments or images people try to put out there.

Just keep reminding her how beautiful and special she is.

 

[shynsexy]

My neice is 3 and at Easter Supper she asked me if I thought she was fat! First of all, she's not even baby chubby! Second - she's 3!
My sister-in-law is constantly going on about her diet (this from a woman who can't weigh over a buck 10) and before this I never thought about how it might affect the girls.
I went off a bit on her, but REALLY bothered me! She has to think about these things. Kids hear EVERYTHING.
Unfortunately she'll probably pick this kind of shit up in school too. Just because you try to protect your kids from media madness doesn't mean all parents do and kids share their views with eachother on everything.

my 4 year old has been saying she's fat latelt, and doesnt want to eat much. she's in the normal weight for her height and age... but how do u explain that to a child? you dont. I am just been making her fave food and telling her i love her little belly....i hope she grows out of it....but am realistic.

 

[c.fey]

I was talking to my 5 year old yesterday, and she asked me if she could be a movie star when she grew up. I said "Of course, you can be anything you're willing to work hard to be."

I also pointed out that being a movie star, playing Olympic hockey, owning a pet shop, and being a ballerina might take a little more time than she'll have...

She said... "Oh well, Mom. You have to be really pretty to be a movie star, and no one but you thinks I'm pretty."

How sad is it that a 5 year old already thinks she's not good enough? I told her that she's wonderful and beautiful and amazing in so many ways, I couldn't even list them all. She told me I only think that because I have to.

She's only 5! Why is she even thinking about this stuff?

Kids are influenced by SO damn much. It takes a lot of growing up to be able to sort it all out. To realize that you are what you are and what other folks say about how you look does not matter.
A five year old can't 'get' that. Hell, I have a hard time with it.....
The best we can do, society's ills aside, is to set _good examples_ for our kids; don't judge by looks, don't praise the glam mags, don't put yourself down in front of your kids, and remind our kids and ourselves that it IS what inside that counts....because bliss and love shines through and makes a person beautiful.

 

[Calamity Jane]

I talked to her a little bit more today, and apparently, there's a little girl at school that's been telling my child that she's ugly. After I got over wanting to kick the parent of this child's ass, I had a chat with my daughter about other people, their issues, and opinions. I wasn't very tactful, because I did tell her that no matter what we do, some people are just assholes and should be ignored.

She told me that she knows she's 'a pretty cool chick' and she was just feeling bad yesterday.

 

[Bindii]

My niece had refused to wear shorts since she was 7yrs old (she's 10 now) she thinks her legs are too fat. She also will only eat diet products and drink diet drinks, she can tell me the fat content in the majority of foods.

I blame my sister (her mother) for this. My sister was always a big girl but managed to lose her weight through a strict dieting and execise program a few years ago. I think that she is paroniod her daughter will also be big and doesn't want her to suffer the way she did (kids are cruel). Instead she has created a child with low self esteem, a child who through no fault of her own feels that she is not good enough the way she is, who feels that her body is never good enough. It makes me want to cry.

 

[Guest]

 

[paganangel]

i was ugly

i'm not being modest, i was ugly. it wasn't tv, or magazines, or media. it was the kids at school. the worst part is, they were right. i cried myself to sleep every night for most of my child hood. (my looks were one of many issues) i hated who i was. i would have given anything o be good looking. it was al i wanted. if i were good looking it would all fall into place.

then one day i was good looking. pow. just like that.

by the end of high school, everytime i looked in a mirror i wanted to cut my face into a plaid pattern and peel the squares off. i had detailed fantasies of doing it.
be careful what you wish for.

you are a good mom. that's gonna be the difference. just do your best with he problem. she'll be fine.