Teenagers' Ideal Body Image

Body image is the opinion you hold of your own physical appearance. For many teenagers, body image suffers as they go through the awkward growing years.

Ideally, you want your teenager to be satisfied with his own body. Human beings come in all shapes and sizes, and no one body type should be idealized over another. Your teenager should look in the mirror and see a happy, healthy person who can achieve mental and physical success. Your teenager should be comfortable in clothing, particularly a swimsuit or during physical education class. Defining physical characteristics, such as a bump on his nose or a birthmark, should be embraced as who he is, not viewed as imperfections or flaws to be fixed.

Self-esteem, the mental perception we all hold of ourselves, plays a large role in teen body image. Teenagers who value themselves for traits other than physical ones, such as intellectual or social skills, will likely have a higher opinion of their body images than teenagers who do not. You can encourage positive self-esteem and body image by focusing on nonphysical traits and helping your teenager understand her changing body during adolescence. You should also check your own attitudes about yourself and your physical appearance, as your perceptions can be a huge influence on your teen.

Most teenagers, particularly girls, do not hold an ideal body image of themselves. Recent surveys show body image issues begin long before the teenager years. One study indicated over 40 percent of girls in first through third grades wanted to be skinnier.

Media images bombard your teenager on a daily basis. Celebrities are idealized and touted as perfect on television. Many teenagers do not realize the magic of Hollywood editing and how easily flaws and imperfections can be erased. Sports heroes may not reveal (until they are caught) the use of performance-enhancing drugs to gain muscle mass and more physical agility. Your teenager may look in the mirror after watching the Kids’ Choice Awards and wonder why she doesn’t look like Demi Lovato. What she doesn’t realize is that Demi had a stylist, make-up artist and hairdresser help her get ready for three hours before her five minute camera appearance. 

Peer pressure is another factor in teenager body image. Kids can be cruel and taunting, particularly in the locker room. Many teenagers will avoid participating in gym class because they don’t want to change in front of others. This happens often for a girl who might develop breasts more quickly than her same-age peers. One negative comment can set your teen up for years of hiding under baggy clothes or even worse – eating disorders or excessive exercise.

Thankfully, more celebrities are admitting to just how much work and makeup goes into their media images. Fox News ran a piece called Stars Without Makeup which showed 41 celebrities au natural and all done up. Sites like this can help your teenager see that celebrities are normal and don’t look all that different from real people without all the hype and styling. Watching television with your teenager and talking about what he or she sees can help you gauge their opinion of themselves.  You can then talk to you teen about any misconceptions she has about body image, opening up a dialogue that will hopefully continue throughout the teen years.

Remaining positive and helping your teenager through body image struggles can be difficult for any parent, especially when you see them as a handsome or beautiful. Encourage your teenager to try an exercise program and even offer to work out with them.  Try to be patient if your teenager decides to try a diet or wants to become vegetarian – experimentation is how teenagers learn about life. However, if you suspect an eating disorder or diet pill abuse, you need to talk with her immediately about the danger of these decisions.  Every teenager wants to look good, but a positive body image should not come at the price of a life.

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Back to School Tips for High School Students

Starting school in the fall means several things - school work beginning, new classes, making friends and managing your time. Whether you are an upperclassman or a freshman, having your day and schedule run smoothly will ensure a successful school year and less stress.

Don't just assume a great year is going to fall into your lap. You have to work to make it happen. Whether you're already super organized or you like to procrastinate until the very last minute - the time to plan ahead is before school starts. Use specific strategies to help you not only stay afloat during the school year, but really thrive.

Having an adequate amount of sleep is imperative to a successful high school career. Students who tend to sleep less than eight hours a night may not be as awake or alert during the day. In addition to school work, if you plan to participate in after-school activities or sports, you will need to rest up to do your best.

Always start your school days off with a healthy breakfast to get you through the day until lunch. If you are not a big breakfast eater, then consider eating a protein bar or smoothie to stave off hunger. If you tend to eat later in the morning, you may want to carry a small snack to munch on between classes before lunch. If you do not like the school lunch, you can pack lunch to take to school. This way you have exactly the kinds of foods you enjoy.

There are several types of locker organization systems available. Choose a shelving system that allows you to store your books and folders in an upright position. This will be especially helpful for when you are rushing to your locker between classes. In addition, hang a magnetic, dry erase board on the inside door to help you keep track of the day's to-do list.

Purchase color-coded binders to use for each class. This will not only help when you are looking in your locker for a specific class, but you can also store all the class notes in one area without mixing them up with another class. Choose binders with a clear front sleeve that allows you to display a weekly class calendar.

There is no reason to be shy with new people. Whether you are returning to high school, or you are new, talk with the people around you. Look to your left and right, and meet the people on either side of your locker - they'll be there all year long. In addition to making friends, talking with people may help you with class work and trying out for sports.

Look at the list of after school sports and clubs available to you. Pick something that interests you, and join the team. This not only looks good on your college resume, but it is a great way to meet people, exercise your brain or body and show your school spirit.

Newbies should always attend school orientation. Even students who are going into their senior years will want to attend orientation. It is a great way to meet students, teachers and hear what is going on with the class.

Do not slink into the back row of a classroom because you will get called on more, and you may not hear everything the teacher has to say. Stick near the front or middle, unless you have assigned seats, for the best experience.

Assign a place at home that is your designated homework area. This area should be off-limits to anyone besides you during your designated homework time. Choose an area that is free of distractions, such as a desk in your room or dining room table, so you can concentrate on school work.

Lay out your clothes, books and other things you may need for the following day of school. If you pack your own lunch, consider doing it the night before to cut down on the morning rush.

Before heading out the first day of school, take a moment to breathe. Your high school years will fly past and soon you will be heading off to college. Take time to meet new people, participate in after school activities and study hard. Good luck!

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Tween Summer Fashions

By the time summer rolls around, you’re ready to ditch those heavy sweaters and boots in favor of the hottest tween summer fashions. Don’t worry. Neither you nor your parents need to spend big bucks on a ton of new clothes. There are a few affordable key pieces to include in your warm-weather wardrobe that will leave you looking cool in the hot temperatures.

Just because the temperatures are soaring doesn’t mean you have to sport the same old shorts and t-shirt uniform. Shake up your usual get up with some of the hottest, celebrity-inspired fashion trends for summer.

If you think ruffles are too sweet and little girl for your taste, think again. Ruffles are back in a big way. The trick is to not OD on the ruffle trend and only sport it in moderation for a look that’s flirty and feminine, not too young-looking. Look for a lightweight spaghetti strap dress with ruffle detail or a tee with ruffle-trimmed sleeves to get in on this trend.

Seen all over celebs such as Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift, bold floral patterns are girly but with an edge. Look for sundresses in bold hues, such as vivid blue, red, purple, and pink that have a large flower motif throughout. You can also try this look on a romper, which is perfect for a more casual feel. Pair with metallic flat sandals, and you’re ready to beat the heat in style.

A long, flowy maxi dress is an absolute summer staple for any fashion-savvy tween. When done in a lightweight cotton, it’s super comfortable and breathable and perfect for just throwing on at a moment’s notice. You can wear your maxi as a beach or pool cover up or just for hanging on the boardwalk with friends or at a backyard BBQ. You'll always look put together. Pair yours with one of the biggest summer accessory trends, the leather studded bracelet.

While the cutoff denim mini skirt will always be a classic, why not update the look by choosing a mini in a cool corduroy fabric instead? Fine cabled corduroy is every bit as lightweight and breathable as a regular cotton or denim, and you can wear it in bold colors that scream summer, such as turquoise, fuchsia, purple or yellow. You can also scoop one up in a wear-with-everything neutral hue, such as beige or khaki.

You may think tie dye was only cool when your parents were young, but the effect is back in a big way. In summer, you'll see it on everything from bathing suits to tanks and tees and dresses. You can pick up store-bought tie dyed items, or do it the old fashioned way and grab a white t-shirt and your friends and tie dye at home. That way you can choose the colors you want and mix and match to suit your style.

It may be tempting to don the same old rubber flip flops day in and day out, but give your feet an update by sporting some of the hottest shoe trends for summer. Try some of these great styles.

Sometimes you want your toes covered, like when you haven’t been able to get a pedicure or when the temperatures are unusually cool at nighttime. Flats with girly details such as quilting, jewels, or bows are cute and can even take you into the fall.

Wedges are great for giving short girls a little height boost without the difficulty of teetering on heels. Wedges in natural shades and fabrics, such as brown leather or natural cork, are perfect for day or night and match anything in your wardrobe.

Metallic is chic and trendy and classic at the same time. Try a metallic sandal in lieu of your favorite broken in flip flops to give an instant update to even the most casual outfit.

You only need a few key pieces to give your wardrobe an update for summer with the hottest tween summer fashions. By scooping up a couple of new items and mixing them with what you already own, you can give your closet an instant makeover without breaking the bank.

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Red Junior Dresses

Pair a simple, short red dress with white leggings, a wide black leather belt, and a leather jacket for a unique back-to-school look. Also wear a dress like this over blue jeans for a casual appearance.

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