1. I wrote about how personally these things affected me as a teenager in my first book, A Future for Tomorrow: Surviving Anorexia, My Spiritual Journey. And how it lead to my near fatal eating disorder. Media can be absolute poison if we don’t build a stronger foundation of truth and debunk the lies we see in the media with our children. I understand why some parents completely don’t allow tv, I personally am not that extreme but I do discuss anything I don’t like. I feel it is impossible to completely shield our children from all media between computers, magazines, movies, tv, or just going to the store, so I would rather empower my children with knowledge and give them ammunition of their own internalized worth and stability to fight against societies pressures to be a certain way. (Of course I’m not saying don’t protect them from spiritually harmful material I’m speaking about media messages in general that they will be exposed to throughout their life even while just watching a children’s channel during a commercial break or walking through a mall.)

1. The first draft of my book didn’t have the bullying incident in it. I added it after a close friend came to me searching for help for her seven year old daughter. Her sweet second grader was told she “had too much fat on her body” to be friends with a girl at school and the bullying continued. It broke my heart and to hear the details of the bullying blew me away that this kind of fat phobia was being strewn from a seven year old’s mouth –so young, yet so judgmental and aware of body size already. It inspired me to add this issue in my book.

• Is reluctant or refuses to go to school
• Clams up when you try to discuss school
• Demands some sort of change in a long-standing routine, like riding the bus to school or going to the park on Saturdays
• Does not want to participate in after-school activities or play with old friends
• Seems hungrier than usual after school - it might be a sign that someone is stealing his lunch money or that he is unwilling to brave the cafeteria at lunchtime
• Shows signs of physical distress such as headaches, stomach-aches, or nausea
• Goes to the nurse in order to avoid going to class
• Performance in school (grades, homework, attendance) suddenly declines
• Acts sullen, angry, and frequently wants to be left alone
• Uncharacteristically uses bad language
• Shows marked behavior change after computer time or a phone call
• Starts asking for more lunch or transportation money without a clear explanation of why it is needed
• Has unexplained bruises or injuries

1. YES! I am a trained professional speaker. I am a keynote speaker for women’s conferences as well as a presenter for schools, church groups, treatment centers, and many more events. To learn more about booking me for your event please visit www.haleyhfreeman.com or email me at www.haleyshearttoheart.com Here’s a little info from my website to answer you follow up question:

1. There is power in our thoughts, often it truly is about choosing that you are not going to beat yourself up anymore and deciding you are going to be kinder to yourself. One of my tips in the book helps with changing this type of inner dialog. After a prolonged, critical case of negative thoughts and even depression professional help is often needed. I am an advocate for seeking counseling and help if it is from a trusted and knowledgeable professional.

1. That’s why I wrote this book for this exact problem. I’m hoping parents can use my book as a tool. Reading this book and completing the assignments in the back is the perfect place to start!

1. It was extremely hard for me to limit myself to just the tips I did put in the book. I had to select the ones I thought were the most vital and most impactful, but there are many other tips that I share in my parenting presentations at my speaking events. Now days there are great resources out there, I would suggest not giving up and to keep searching for materials to aid in the fight.

I made my Top Ten List about Top Ten Important Information. This is a compilation of parenting tips, self-esteem building exercises, warning signs, and my favorite inspirational quotes.


10. Warning Sign that you or your loved one has a low body image: You check yourself in the mirror constantly or obsess about a body part that isn’t perfect in your eyes.


9. Favorite Quote: “As daughters of God, you cannot imagine the divine potential within each of you, Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free—not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure. You will not need to worry, “Do I look all right?” “Do I sound OK?” “What do people think of me?” A conviction that you are a daughter of God gives you a feeling of comfort in your self-worth. It means that you can find strength in the balm of Christ. It will help you meet the heartaches and challenges with faith and serenity.” - James. E. Faust


8. Self-esteem Tip: Smile: Sounds too easy? A smile can change chemicals in your mind and body, releasing endorphins that enhance your mood. Smiling to others can start a wave of kindness to others and making others feel good always makes me feel better.


7. Parenting Tip: Teach your daughter that weight gain is normal and a healthy part of development. Prepare her for the changes her body will make during puberty.


6. Favorite Quote: “Do you suppose it matters to our Heavenly Father whether your makeup, clothes, hair, and nails are perfect? Do you think your value to Him changes based on how many followers you have on Instagram or Pinterest? Do you think He wants you to worry or get depressed if some un-friend or un-follow you on Facebook or Twitter? Do you think outward attractiveness, your dress size, or popularity make the slightest difference in your worth to the One who created the universe? He loves you not only for who you are this very day, but also for the person of glory and light you have the potential and the desire to become.” – President Uchtdorf


5. Warning signs of an eating disorder:

* Changes in eating habits, such as avoiding eating with the family.

* Defensiveness when asked about their eating behavior or weight loss.

* A tendency toward being a perfectionist or not being satisfied with themselves.

* Panic when they can’t exercise as planned.

* Comments about how they feel fat or are not good enough.

* An obsession with food, excessive exercising, calorie-counting, and reading about dieting.


4. Self-worth tip: Words are powerful. Create four to five descriptive words you want to be and say this statement several times a day: “I am ___(fill in with your adjectives)___”

Example: “I am energetic, kind, beautiful, smart, and thoughtful.”


3. Favorite Quote: “Looking in the mirror, do you sometimes wish for a different reflection? Some of you may feel that you are not as attractive and beautiful and glamorous as you would like to be. Rise above any such feelings, cultivate the light you have within you, and it will shine through as a radiant expression that will be seen by others” -- Gordon B. Hinckley


2.This is my number one tip for mothers: Never put yourself down in front of your daughter. Daughters not only model your behavior, but their own self-talk leads her to believe that if Mom—who is perfect in her eyes—thinks she’s fat, ugly, and not good enough, how much worse must she be? Or she might look physically similar to you and when you put down a trait she also possesses, she will feel you are saying it about her as well.

Never let her hear you speak negatively about yourself, but go a step further. Stop and change any of your own damaging inner dialogue.


1. I always end my presentations with asking the audience to take a pledge with me. It is to stop negative self-talk. It is to end what is sometimes called “fat talk.” Fat Talk describes all of the statements made in everyday conversation that reinforce the thin ideal and contribute to women’s dissatisfaction with their bodies.
Examples of fat talk include: “I’m so fat,” “Do I look fat in this?” “I need to lose 10 pounds” “I hate my thighs” and “She’s too fat to be wearing that swimsuit.”
Statements that are considered fat talk don’t necessarily have to be negative; they can seem positive yet reinforce the need to be thin. “You look great! Have you lost weight?”

So I challenge you today to take the pledge to stop the “fat talk” and all other negative inner dialog. You can make a difference!!







Author Giveaway Haley Hatch Freeman