Be Your Beautiful You with Dove: What Makes You Beautiful, Through the Eyes of Your Child? #YMCBeautifulYou
This post is part of the YummyMummyClub.ca and Dove #YMCBeautifulYou Program. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.
Be Your Beautiful You With Dove.
Dove invited me to reflect upon beauty and how I feel it has changed with age. This gave me the chance to ask Gabby what she thought makes me, her Mom, beautiful. The way that she truly sees me brought tears to my eyes and even when some days are hard, I think I may be doing something right.
Did you know that over 60% of girls avoid certain activities because they feel bad about their looks?*
For example:
• 19% won’t try out for a team or club
• 23% won’t go to the beach or pool
• 13% won’t give an opinion
• 15% won’t go to school
72% of girls feel pressured to be beautiful.**Source: Dove Global study, 2010
It’s always been Gabby and I.
She was the sweetest child growing up and has maintained that amazing personality. She’s always been kind-hearted and I can recall many times when I was sick, she stayed by my side, rubbed my forehead and stayed close. I have so many memories that are absolutely priceless and irreplaceable. Like any mother, I have an immense love for my children. For both of my daughters and one thing that I will always nurture is their confidence.
Beauty Is In the Eye of The Beholder.
At least that is what they say and in my opinion, I agree. I have always been a pretty confident person; I admit that in my journey I had common insecurities. But, I’ve always had the personality that helped me to be comfortable with myself, no matter what. While I may no longer be a size 3 and I’ve entered my 30’s, my perception of beauty has changed immensely. It is more natural and carries a deeper dimension to it now. When I was younger, I used to be more concerned about aesthetics and what was on the outside. While that is still important–there’s much more to what I think makes a woman beautiful now.
What Makes Her Beautiful–Is Herself.
That’s what my baby said.
I helped her set up the camera and left the room so that she can record what she thinks makes me, her Mom, beautiful. Watching her honestly talk about how she sees me was remarkable. It brought tears to my eyes to hear that she spoke about other qualities besides the outward. That maybe, I am doing something right.
This is what I try to teach my girls, that what makes them beautiful is what is on the inside. It’s how they treat people, what they put out into the world and how they try to change it for the better. What makes them beautiful is their intelligence, their talent, their heart. By example, they see that I don’t care what people think about how I look, that even though I may have some insecurities and imperfections, I embrace them. I work on what I can change and don’t worry about what I cannot change. I accepted my flaws long ago and since I have, no one can use them against me. That self-esteem is absolutely important and that we should all hold ourselves in high regard.
It’s All About Self-Esteem.
Dove will be hosting Self-Esteem Workshops in October across Canada. It is hosted by YMC Community bloggers and we will be inviting moms and daughters to start a dialogue about self-esteem and beauty pressures.
The events will be enjoyable and hopefully those who attend will leave feeling motivated to make efforts to foster self-esteem in their girls. They will also feel confident that they have new tools and resources to use. Girls will leave feeling valued and that they have new skills and knowledge to help them embrace their own unique beauty and feel more confident to face day to day challenges.
Have you ever thought about what your daughter feels makes YOU beautiful?
Let me know, til then–cheers m’deres!
Did you know YMC is hosting 25 free Dove Mom and Daughter Self-Esteem Workshops across Canada? Join us to start the conversation with your daughter about the real meaning of beauty.
We need you to be a part of the Dove mission to improve the self-esteem of over 15 million girls by 2015.
Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.
this is beautiful in itself. You have amazing daughters and each and every one of you is beautiful not only on the outside but inside too!
Oh Nancy tears are rolling.. Gabi did so amazing talking about her mom, you! What a wonderful campaign to share.
Thanks so much Tammy! 🙂
Awesome post 🙂 You're both beautiful and your daughter did an amazing job.
Thanks so much!
I love that Dove has this campaign. Everyone should be proud of who they are and what they look like!
They should!
My girls tell me I am beautiful all the time. I need to stop blowing that off though because of my own insecurities. They need to know that beauty is something to be seen by anyone and not disregarded!
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It is so hard but, they are watching!
You are both beautiful! I am a big fan of Dove for the whole family!
Thanks Mel!
So sweet, I love what Dove does for women and girls – they are remarkable!
I love Dove for these initiatives!
Aww, your daughter is so beautiful inside and out! What a caring little girl!!
Thanks Amy.
What a beautiful story. I love the idea of focusing on the self-esteme when it comes to beauty. A confident woman is far more beautiful than one insecure.
Thanks!
Ugh, those statistics make me so sad. I like to think that I am raising my girls to be strong and beautiful individuals on the inside and out
It is a battle but, we have to empower them. It is so sad.
It's so sad that girls don't feel good about themselves in our society. It's imperative that we really push good self esteem in the upcoming generations.
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It really is imperative.
It's so sad that girls don't feel good about themselves in our society. It's imperative that we really push good self esteem in the upcoming generations.
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It is very sad!
Great post! Beauty is just as much on the inside as it is on the outside. You're raising one great girl!
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Thanks so much Dawn!
I love the self esteem workshop idea. Sometimes, women and girls can get swallowed up by what they think they're supposed to be instead of focusing on what they are.
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It happens all too often!
This is such a great idea. Too often, we forget that we're beautiful just the way we are.
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Ain’t that the truth.
What a great post! Beauty is about what's inside of you, not whether or not you look how the media says you should.
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So, very, very true!
I love this post. I know I have a hard time feeling as confident as I could.
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It is hard sometimes but, we have to try!
Oh my goodness, what an incredibly sweet video! I could only hope that if my daughter were to make a similar kind of video that she would say even half of the wonderful things that your daughter said about you. So sweet!
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Thanks so much!
I love Dove and this campaign is so awesome. Great pics.
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What a great post. Love this Dove campaign!
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Great inspirational post to read first thing this morning!
What a beautiful post
Thanks so much!
The video moved me so deeply! It's such a wonderful bond that you two share.
Thanks so much!
Beautiful video,so heartfelt.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!
There is nothing better than a good bond between Mom and daughter,a treasure for sure
Great job Gabby,you have such a lovely smile !
Thanks! =) I love her smile too!