Imagine a world where young people don’t feel held back by their bodies. Where we appreciate each other for who we are and what we do rather than what we look like. Body image, and the associated issues of weight, food and physical activity, are hot topics in our families. How did we get to this place of constant criticism about our own bodies, and how can we get out of it?
To coincide with the release of her ground-breaking new documentary Embrace Kids, leading body image activist and powerhouse change-maker Taryn Brumfitt has collaborated with body image expert Dr Zali Yager on one of the most important health issues of our time – helping our children and teens feel comfortable about, and confident in, their bodies.
With chapters for parents on understanding your own journey, appreciating your own body and creating a positive home environment, as well as tackling diet and fashion trends, friendship issues and social media challenges, Embrace Kids is full of evidence-informed suggestions and supportive, practical advice. This book will teach you everything you need to know to build your kids’ body image, to wholeheartedly embrace their uniqueness, and to steer them on a path to body confidence that has the power to liberate them for life.
Taryn Brumfitt’s 2016 documentary Embrace was acclaimed by international audiences, shining a spotlight on the way women, in particular, are conditioned to feel shame or loathing towards their bodies. Brumfitt works tirelessly to encourage body positivity through the Body Image Movement. Co-author Dr Zali Yager is Executive Director of the Body Confident Collective and Honorary Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University. These two experts have paired up to write an engaging and accessible handbook as a companion to the upcoming film.
With quotes and anecdotes from authors, experts and parents, Embrace Kids also includes activities and questions to make parents stop and think. This book will have you reflecting upon so much – from how our earliest relationships with our body, food and diet culture are formed to answering the prickly questions that children ask about their bodies. With social media leading to ever-evolving challenges for both kids and parents, Embrace Kids is a timely manual that tackles big issues with a sensitive and positive touch, focusing on everyone’s uniqueness.
We highly recommend this book to parents and carers who want to approach important conversations about body image with their kids. Embrace Kids is an educational no-guilt, no-shame zone. Keep your eye out for our Facebook live event with Taryn and Dr Zali next week, on Tuesday 9th August.
Embrace kids isn’t just for parents or kids.. it’s for every single person who has ever felt bad about the way the look, not gone to the beach as they felt too unattractive in bathers, not danced on the dance floor through fear of judgement from others, or ever felt like they are not ‘enough.’
Heavily backed in science and research, this book unlocks the keys to why diets don’t work and why everybody should love their body. It’s about focusing on true sustainable health and well-being (both mentally and physically) and provides a practical ‘how to’ quickly reverse years of wasted time loathing your appearance and not practising self compassion.
As Taryn says – don’t waste another minute more being at war with your body – it’s not a ornament it’s the vehicle to your dreams! This book unpacks the sinister realities of why we have all felt so desperately inadequate for so many decades and yes, I’m looking at you media industry. There’s a long way to go, but this book is a true catalyst for change for the better.
May future generations stop wasting their time on worrying how they look and live long happy, healthy prosperous lives. #ihaveembraced