The Malleability of a Young Mind

importance on appearances even though you’re just trying to create for her a positive self image. (And I mean “you” in the Universal You way… I’m not trying to lecture you, Liz, because I think you’re doing a great job raising your child. It’s a HUGE thing that you’re even addressing this issue and that you’re thinking about how to avoid future problems before it’s too late.) … bulimia eating disorder fat mother daughter young mirror growing up self esteem body image food big boned …

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25 Responses to “The Malleability of a Young Mind”

  1. MissToxicLove says:

    No offense but u look prettyier
    with out that dark red lipstick:D

  2. InsideOut127 says:

    I think the best piece of advise is to not make beauty an issue. It shouldn’t be a topic for conversation. On a random Wednesday you don’t have to say how beautiful your child is. On Prom night you say how beautiful they look. It’s a moment and not a life style. I am so bad at explaining what i mean.. ugg! Love your vids.

  3. ozfizz says:

    My mom totally blames and berates herself for my ED.. and I don’t believe she ever did/said anything less than very positive regarding food and body image.

    I agree 100% with InsideOut127’s comment. Waaaaay too much importance is being placed on every day beauty/body image.

  4. size25please says:

    my mom doesn’t blame herself for my eating disorder, but she really should! … the key is confidence!! but your right .. don’t even make it an issue.!

  5. Castaa says:

    I think these types of videos are a good thing. Mental illness is such a tough subject to talk about. I’ve struggled with mental illness myself. It’s hard convey the struggle because to an outsider it can appear to be very irrational or even silly. But living with it, can be a personal hell with no light at the end of the tunnel. That’s scary.

  6. borntoboop says:

    I love your vids, you rock!

  7. insidethemusicbox11 says:

    i know what you mean. i would never blame my mom for everything. some things she said/says do trigger me, but it’s my mind that makes that connection between what she says and what i do. plus, she doesnt have bad intentions or mean to make me feel insecure.

    i think the best piece of advice would be to just try not to comment/praise your child on their appearance. compared to every other accomplishment you can make, it’s unimportant.

  8. shrinerspark says:

    My mom never blamed herself, either… but in a way, she was quite definitely responsible. I mean, my mom has a healthy body image, and eats normally, but she was also extremely emotionally distant, etc, which was a HUGE contributing factor to all my problems, which includes the ED.

  9. gothlizard says:

    i really appreciate your advice so much. i don’t think i realized the whole mirror thing, but your right. a little girl would be shattered inside if she saw someone whom she respected hate themself so much.

  10. gothlizard says:

    anyways, thank you, i will absolutely keep those things in mind.

  11. ElleRigby says:

    No, I understand what you mean. : )

  12. ElleRigby says:

    That’s exactly it!!! If we have ED tendencies already, we’re going to draw our own conclusions on what our moms say whether or not they are saying something triggering.

  13. Pigseye says:

    I think that you are talking around an uncomfortable personal issue. At the beginning of your video you spoke of honesty. As a worthless observation, I think that honesty now, as hard as honesty is, will pay the most dividends in the future. My heart goes out to you.

  14. Pigseye says:

    Talk to your mom!

  15. cateyes9 says:

    you are so beautiful
    don’t even ;)

    red lipstick looks awesome on you by the way. =D

  16. lalalaleko says:

    I completely agree with you. Thanks for the video.

  17. stewartyoung1982 says:

    Hello Elle, I suffer with anorexia nervosa, depression, anxietes and panic attacks etc. I was in eating disorder clinic Dec 05 and Jan 07 discharge there at the healthly weight 157ibs now 138ibs BMI 17 am 6 ft 3 191iachs. I found this very interesting topic on this. have you got msn or yahoo messager? I am doing canselling course i found it hard though. Looking forward to hearing from you soon please Take Care Hugs Stewart xox

  18. ElleRigby says:

    No, I don’t have Yahoo or MSN. But I am worried about you. I hope you are doing well.

  19. Dorda44 says:

    you ARE someone. great advice. thank you so much. : )

  20. DavidfromOhio says:

    You are one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen in my life. Also, you give fantastic advice. Thank you. :)

  21. czmma says:

    thanks, as a mother this is very important for me to hear.

  22. cahoho92 says:

    my cousin is only 5 and she is already becoming so self conscious and calling herself fat. its so scary to me because i can’t help but wonder if its my fault or if its an early sign of her developing an ed. i have really weird eating habits and she loves to copy me, whenever i look in the mirror and comment on myself, she does the same thing to herself. its scary how kids are criticizing themselves at such a young age.

  23. starchild2000 says:

    Everything you said is so true.

  24. cooldeesir says:

    I really do like watching your videos at times. Other times, they are a bit ranting-on like how you said before, but it’s still cool.
    Realize: you don’t have to make a video every day. I mean you probably don’t make one every day, i’m just exaggerating but I mean doesn’t it get a little boring?

    but I do like your personality, really vibrant, really uplifting, and you have a great smile and a pretty face.
    I’m definitely subscribing!!!!!!!!!!

  25. AJmahdzyar says:

    u look really good with red lipstick, your hair really pops.

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