Momfidence! - Read the Blog : Tell Your Kids They Don't Want to Be Miley Cyrus

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Momfidence! cheers on commonsense parenting and sighs at the rest. How to worry less, wing it more. A.k.a. parenting by the seat of my mid-rise mom jeans.

About Paula Spencer

I'm the author of Momfidence! An Oreo Never Killed Anybody and Other Secrets of Happier Parenting, and a mom of four in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (where you can't even buy Oreos at the two wholesome groceries nearest to my home).

A rare foto in which all six Spencers face the camera! by Charles Harris

Some Kindred Blogs

Parentopia On mommy guilt
The Mother of All Blogs My fave fellow mom of four
MommaBlog in FotosLooks like my house
Parent Talk Today Kindred writer
Momformation ParentCenter
FreeRangeKidsSet them free!
Jane Austen Addict For diversion
Diet Naked For inspiration
Dr. Helen For conversation
American Poetry Alliance For mind expansion
BlythTimes For smart insights
LifeCoachBlog for positive reminders
Plan B for thinkin' past motherhood
Caring Currents Caregiver blog to which I contribute

Tell Your Kids They Don't Want to Be Miley Cyrus

May 14, 2009

New study confirms that wealth, fame, and fetching looks do not a happy person make. In a nutshell:

"...reaching materialistic and image-related milestones actually contributes to ill-being; despite their accomplishments, individuals experience more negative emotions like shame and anger and more physical symptoms of anxiety such as headaches, stomachaches, and loss of energy. By contrast, individuals who value personal growth, close relationships, community involvement, and physical health are more satisfied as they meet success in those areas. They experience a deeper sense of well-being, more positive feelings toward themselves, richer connections with others, and fewer physical signs of stress."

Instead of "Be careful what you wish for" maybe the adage should be "Be careful what you aspire to"!

Comments

Denise says...

I couldn't agree more. You've just got to look at the members of the Hollywood set to see for all their money fame and everything else they have, their lives are complicated and for the most of it not happy. I strive to have a reasonably simple life, making the most of family/friends time. Faith, Family and REAL Friends are what I go for. The rest isn't on my to do and hopefully not on my kids to want.

annie g says...

yes it;s hard for girls to see role models of women in business and science and suff, or to see them as glamorous

Gina says...

And make sure you point out to young girls that their body types are PERFECT! My tween daughter is already asking me if she's fat because of the pictures she sees in girl magazines (and stick figures she sees on TV). I now make sure to point out whenever I can who is "healthy" and who is "very unhealthily thin." I also told her that the only discussion she should have about her weight is with her doctor and whether or not she is "healthy", never about "thin" or "fat." I also make sure to explain to her that while adults may always talk about "diets", we have different metabolisms. And always the emphasis is on HEALTHY and loving yourself enough to be kind to your body.