A Very Grown up 3 Year Old

Hey A. - I saw your post....I've got no answers for you, sorry! but please tell me if you get any good feedback b/c I have a 2 1/2 year old in the SAME PHASE!! I've no idea where this came from as we are not a "princess" household, I'm interested in hearing some guidance.....you and your daughter are gorgeous! I'm almost at a loss with my Olivia only wanting to wear dresses...."NO PANTS MOM".....and being such a girlie girl :-) She's just got zero tolerance for looking like a boy....whatever that means! Thanks for your post!

W. O.

Hi A.-
Enjoy it! My daughter was never"princess-like" .....and take advantage of her questions and curiousity about people. Differences make us all so much more interesting. Be sure you have a positive body image around her. Was she mimicing you? TV? Whenever you see a chance to discuss it-do so. My son once said "mom you've got a big bumm" I replied, "yep, it makes me a good dancer.." We laughed and enjoyed the diference.
Good luck-

I really think that this is just something every little girl will ask. My little girl did the same thing when she was 4yrs. She is now 7 and i dont think she has asked me that question. Look at all the stuff they pick up from t.v............... Just wait until there older and they ask that because you have to explain more..... Good Luck

My 4 y/o is a complete "princess" type. When they get 3 or 4 they start noticing differences with themselves and other kids. My daughter started asking and wishing her hair was longer because her cousing said, "My hair is longer than your hair". She also was worried how big her feet were because her cousin said that her feet were bigger than my daughters. I didn't know what to do at first either, but when I started saying, "Your hair is not too short and not too long." "Your hair/feet is just right! So, that is our mantra now when she says she wants to look or be different. You are just right! It has worked. She started saying it to other kids when they make comments. Good luck.

I guess you first need to discover where she has picked up the concept of body image at such a young age. Do you express body image issues? Who, in your life is giving her this input.

she's far too young to be headed down that ugly road. I would encourage her to see her own beauty, and emphasize your praise on things non image related (wow honey... you are sooo smart! or you are sooooo strong!) to take her mind off of her image.

My 3 year son was talking to me about exercising and said that he needed to so he wouldn't be fat. I thought it was strange but cute, maybe it is just a thing he wonders about I definately am going to keep an eye on it. I assumed he heard his dad say something or even me and we didn't realize it. I swear he soaks up everything he hears and then throws it at me like weeks later. I just wanted to tell you my story. unless it's obsessive I wouldn't worry about it, just don't forget about it.

R.