Many parents assume body image concerns and perfectionism begin during the teenage years.
According to retired OB/GYN and children’s author Dr. Tiffanie Tate, those struggles can start much earlier, making it important for families to recognize the signs before self-doubt becomes deeply rooted.
Tate says early awareness is one of the most effective ways parents can help children develop a healthy sense of self-worth.
“It’s not a problem unless we deny it,” Tate said. “As long as we address the issue, we can identify it and start working on it. The problem is when we stick our head in the sand.”
The physician hopes parents will begin conversations about confidence, self-image and comparison while children are still young rather than waiting until problems become more obvious during adolescence.
To help families start those discussions, Tate recently released Perfectly Perfect, a picture book written for children under 12. The story follows a young girl who begins feeling unhappy with her body and eventually stops eating. Through the support and compassion of her friends, she learns that her worth is not determined by her appearance.
According to Tate, the book was designed to give parents, caregivers and educators an age-appropriate way to discuss topics such as self-image, disordered eating and confidence with young children.
“The ‘perfect trap’ is a public health issue,” Tate said. “Too many children seem to be suffering from image issues from social media. It’s time for us to rewrite self-worth in this age of pressure, comparison and mental health crises.”
Tate says the goal is to help children understand that their value isn’t something they have to earn.
“Perfectly Perfect is about raising healthier humans,” she added. “The story helps children understand they do not have to earn their value; they already have it.”
Perfectly Perfect is Tate’s latest children’s book. She has also written Bad Touching, which teaches children about personal safety, Little Engine Mia Sings, which addresses bullying, and Money Matters, which introduces financial literacy concepts to young readers.
Dr. Tiffanie Tate is a retired OB/GYN, U.S. Navy veteran, mother and author. She currently co-hosts the weekly NBC morning podcast and radio program Doctors In The House and is also the Democratic and VoteVets-endorsed candidate for California State Senate District 32.
Perfectly Perfect, published by Christian Faith Publishing, is now available.
