Parenting Teenagers Untangled - Understand and Talk to Your Teenager

Body image, and getting teens to do chores. Vintage

Feb 11, 2026

Susie Asli, a mindfulness coach and mother of three teens, brings practical mindfulness and parenting wisdom. They explore how cultural pressure and social media warp body image. They discuss praising body function, spotting warning signs, and simple, teachable ways to get teens doing meaningful chores.

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ADVICE

Pre-Filter Social Media Imagery

Talk with your teen about social media images and show real-life contrasts before they fully join platforms.
Teach them to question what they're seeing and develop a realistic baseline of normal bodies.

ADVICE

Model Positive Body Talk

Avoid negative self-talk about weight and dieting in front of children to reduce modeling of shame.
Celebrate what your body can do and speak proudly about your body's abilities.

INSIGHT

Model Change As Normal

Change and ageing are normal and modeling acceptance helps teens accept their own bodies.
Rachel uses her cancer experience to reframe scars and ageing as signs of a lived life.

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For all of the tips click here:

https://teenagersuntangled.substack.com/p/how-to-talk-to-your-teen-about-body

https://open.substack.com/pub/teenagersuntangled/p/how-to-get-your-kids-to-do-their?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer

A healthy body image: Feeling happy and satisfied with your body and what it can do.

An unhealthy body image: Highly self-critical, comparing their body to others and obsessing about some aspect of it.

Beauty and body image are universal triggers for shame. Shame is a deeply painful sensation from the belief that we’re not good enough and will not be accepted by a group.

Only 5% of American women have the body type that advertising depicts as ideal. People magazine poll found that 80% of women respondents felt insecure when they viewed images of women in TV and films. There’s an entire industry fueling our negative feelings regarding body image.

Resources:

https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/healthy-lifestyle/body-image/body-image-teens
The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
I Thought it was just me by Brené Brown

Previous episode:

https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/104-teen-weight-and-body-image-a-mother-and-daughter-explore-the-issues/

Chores:

Household duties develop a sense of purpose. Lack of purpose is one of the most reported problems in suicidal people. Teens are capable of doing practically any household duty and gives them a sense of belonging to the family team.

The Gift of Failure Jessica Lahey: Children prefer parents who hold them responsible for not meeting expectations over those who monitor their children.

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Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits.

My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com
My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:
www.teenagersuntangled.com

Find me on Substack: https://teenagersuntangled.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/

You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk