Can We Please Stop Talking About Botox In Front Of Our Kids?

Many parents, including myself, want our kids to have a good relationship with their bodies, loving how they look, being comfortable with taking up room, and being okay with the changes that happen naturally over time. That’s why Botox talks make us cringe, especially when kids are around. Botox was allowed by the FDA in 2002. It temporarily paralyzes muscles in the face, which smooths out wrinkles. But it’s now a $4.3 billion business that’s expected to grow by more than 10% every year until 2035. There are more and louder talks about Botox, which makes people worry about how it affects body image and self-esteem, especially among younger people.

I want it to be clear that I’m not here to judge anyone who gets anti-aging measures. Teenagers and young adults may learn that self-acceptance is linked to looking young if adults talk about the time and money they spend on Botox, lasers, or makeup to hide the signs of aging. I’m worried about this because I want my kids to be happy and confident in themselves no matter what age they are. I admit that I’m involved in anti-aging efforts, but I’m also aware of how our society’s skewed ideas about beauty and getting older affect those efforts. I want to give my kids a different point of view—one that isn’t based on their age. I’m going to talk to Zoë Bisbing, LCSW, a therapist and the founder of Body-Positive Home, to get some tips on how to deal with these tough issues and make my family feel good about their bodies.

Is participating in anti-aging culture really messing up our kids?

Zoë Bisbing’s answer makes me think; she says that what we do to fight age may have a bigger effect on our children than we think. She says that the way we spend our time and money sends strong messages to our children that could affect how they feel about getting older in the future. It’s not just what kids hear at home that shapes how they think about getting older; they also pick up bad messages about getting older from their surroundings and the media. This shows how important it is to think about the ideas we teach our kids about getting older. Even though old age seems far away to young children, Bisbing says that talking about it with them can still change how they feel about changes in their bodies, even changes that happen during puberty. Because of this, she stresses that everyone, including parents, is responsible for how children think about getting older. This shows how important it is to have intentional talks and do things to help people have positive attitudes about getting older and accepting themselves.

Why are we all so obsessed with anti-aging?

There’s a reason why people keep talking about lines, age spots, and graying hair. Zoë Bisbing says it’s because as we get older, we often feel further away from society’s perfect body image, which makes us feel left out. The cultural push to stay young is the cause of this social pressure. Bisbing says that as we get older, we may feel like we’re losing the benefits that come with being young and beautiful. This is why some people look for ways to stay young-looking. She does, however, bring up a different point of view: people who choose not to do these things accept that they are getting older, even though it might have negative effects on society.

Furthermore, Bisbing stresses that aging is more than just how you look; it also means facing death and dealing with the difficulties that come with getting older. These talks are very important for helping people who are going through the aging process learn and get support. By talking freely about the feelings and problems that come with getting older, we can make the world a better place for everyone. In the end, the talk about getting older is about more than just looks. It’s also about identity, privilege, and acceptance in society and in individuals.

Would it help if we just stopped talking about aging altogether?

Zoë Bisbing says that we should avoid talking about certain things when we’re with other moms, even if we have things in common, like being tired or having problems with drinking. Bisbing says that bad self-talk can hurt us and our kids by making it normal to put ourselves down. She says that everyone can have a better body image if we stop talking about bodies altogether. But if we say something bad about ourselves, we should talk to our kids about it. Bisbing suggests using these times to teach others how to be kind and compassionate to themselves. By owning up to our mistakes and trying to be nicer to ourselves, we can make our homes better places for our kids to learn and grow. Bisbing says that these talks don’t have to be perfect, but they are still good for both parents and kids because they help them learn.

Is there any kosher body talk?

Zoë Bisbing feels it is important to recognize how complicated bodies are and that we shouldn’t ignore them. Instead, she tells people to love their bodies for what makes them special and be amazed by the strange things they can do. This point of view lets us feel both happiness and sadness as we go through life and go through changes. There’s nothing wrong with finding fun in the things that change, like how our bodies will always look different after having kids and how our breasts may never be the same as they were before. For Bisbing, humor is a helpful and healing way to deal with these changes and welcome the path of growth and development.

How do I teach my kids to accept themselves and not be a hypocrite when I don’t?

Parents often have to deal with questions from curious kids while they are getting anti-aging treatments. It can be hard to explain these choices to a child without making them feel bad about their own self-esteem. Zoë Bisbing stresses how important it is to tell the difference between doing things to slow down aging and celebrating or normalizing them in our society. It’s important to talk about our inner issues with older kids, letting them know that we understand how they feel and stressing how important it is to have choices and be independent. Bibron says that parents should talk to their kids about social pressures and body image on a regular basis. This will help them learn to think critically and give them power. The end goal is to give kids the tools they need to make future choices about their bodies that are based on facts. Instead of avoiding the subject altogether, Bisbing pushes for openness and education, making sure that kids know what aging is really like and that there is an anti-aging business. By showing their kids that getting older is normal, parents can help them accept themselves and have confidence in their own abilities, which will help them have a better relationship with their bodies as they age.