{Secret Keeper Girl has partnered with AllMomDoes to sponsor this post and bring you this information.}
Is it possible to teach a girl modesty without creating body shame? I believe emphatically the answer is yes, and I am so excited to share the secrets on how to do so! Through years of research and experience, I have found that grade school girls, ages eight to twelve are now the at-risk demographic for body image issues.
Strong evidence exists to prove that clothing now being marketed to younger and younger girls pressuring them to grow up too fast—while creating no apparent immediate effect—is clearly linked to eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression when these girls become teens. This, in part, is what motivates me to take a message of modesty and true beauty to girls.
Now, I know that the evangelical modesty movement is not without its critics. Trust me, I’ve heard from plenty of them! This summer, the blog of a self-proclaimed “arm chair theologian” decrying teaching on modesty has gone viral in the Christian community, and it’s true-some modesty advocates are legalists who objectify women. But I teach modesty because the Bible does, and when it’s done correctly it promotes a strong body image in these girls, enabling them to bypass the often-serious risks of body image issues!
I would advise and encourage all parents to deepen the conversations with their tween about modesty and outside influences because on-going conversation works! Honest and even messy discussion with our daughters is crucial. I will never shy away from asking hard questions if the answers lead to strength and courage for tweens, teens, and even adults! Where are your daughters spending their time? In front of the mirror and posting to their Instagram accounts? Or in God’s Word where they can deepen their understanding of their value? Because I know our daughters find themselves trapped by a fixation of what they look like and what others think of them, but we need to explore these tensions and provide solutions.
I’ve changed from a girl who disliked what I saw in the mirror so much that I would not look in it, to a woman who looks in the mirror and feels confident with how God created me to look! Working on my internal beauty helped me to accept my physical appearance. That is the key. Every woman can experience “body confidence” through a love relationship with Jesus. Modesty isn’t so much about rules as it is about understanding our hearts and why we make the choices we do. Modesty is a power that protects the ability of others to see God’s good works in your heart and through your life. It is not meant to hide your body, but to reveal the true beauty that grows within you! That is the message I’ve been declaring for nearly two decades, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon!
– Dannah Gresh
Teach your daughter about true beauty at the Secret Keeper Girl – Masterpiece World Tour at Christ’s Church in Federal Way on October 18th and at Eastside Church in Bothell on October 20th . Enjoy a fun, memorable event that will teach your daughter about her true value and help her learn Biblical modesty without shaming her body. We hope to see you there!
SOLD OUT – This event is also available on October 19th in Abbotsford, British Columbia. If you have purchased tickets, please try to carpool with others as parking is limited. Special thanks to our Abbotsford sponsor MEI Schools! Buy tickets here!
If you’re not local, check to see if there’s a Secret Keeper Girl event in your area!
