Because mama really did know best.
As we step into fall—with new notebooks, cozy sweaters, and that back-to-school buzz—it’s the perfect time to reflect on the early lessons that helped shape how we see ourselves. Just like college students settling into dorm life or kiddos picking their first-day fits, many of us are still unpacking the emotional backpacks we’ve carried since childhood.
For me, some of the most powerful body positive lessons and gems came from my mom.
Not in the form of lectures or Pinterest-worthy pep talks, but in the way she showed up every single day. Whether she realized it or not, she was shaping how I viewed my body, my worth, and what it really means to love yourself. And let me tell you, those lessons have stayed with me through every season of life.
So in honor of all the mamas, aunties, big sisters, and caregivers who pour into us, here are five body positive lessons I learned from my mom that still give me life.
The Body Positive Lessons That Shaped How I See Myself Today
Your Body Is a Powerful Tool
Not just something to be looked at, but something to be lived in.
This has to be one of the most important of my body positive lessons. My mom never made a fuss about weight or size. Instead, she was quick to celebrate what our bodies could do. She’d say things like, “Look at you climb that tree with those strong legs,” or “Your hands made such a cool project.” It wasn’t about how I looked. It was about what I accomplished, what I created, and how I felt. That subtle shift changed everything.
She taught me to see my body as a partner in life, not a problem to fix. This is something even experts confirm. Parental influence has a huge impact on how we learn to appreciate and engage with our bodies, according to the National Eating Disorders Association.
Food Is Fuel and Joy
We don’t do shame on this plate.
In our house, food wasn’t labeled “good” or “bad.” My mom didn’t say things like “I was so bad for eating that.” She kept it real. She’d talk about how certain foods gave us energy and others were just plain delicious, and both had a place at the table.
That kind of freedom helped me develop a happy and healthy relationship with food, one rooted in nourishment and joy rather than guilt or shame. Pediatric experts actually recommend this approach. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages open, shame-free conversations around food and body image from an early age.
Be a Media Detective
Because everything on screen isn’t always what it seems.
Before I even knew what a filter was, my mom was planting seeds of media wisdom through her brilliant body positive lessons. She’d point out magazine covers and say, “You know, nobody wakes up looking like that, right?” She helped me notice the editing, the posing, the smoke and mirrors. She taught me to always question what I saw.
That early media literacy saved me from a whole lot of comparison spirals. Today, we have even more tools to help young people develop that same savvy. Resources like the Dove Self-Esteem Project and KidsHealth’s Media Literacy Guide offer great starting points for those important conversations.
The Tag Is Just a Number
Say it with me: the size tag doesn’t define you.
One of the most freeing lessons my mom ever gave me was this: wear what fits. Period. If a shirt didn’t button or jeans felt too snug, it wasn’t about squeezing into something smaller. It was about finding what felt good. She reminded me that confidence always looks better than any label ever could.
And she was right. Sizing systems are wildly inconsistent, and the fashion industry has a long history of vanity sizing that messes with our minds. Prioritizing comfort and confidence over a number? That’s a form of radical self-love.
Health Is a Feeling, Not a Size
How do you feel, babe? That’s what matters most.
Instead of talking about diets or scales, my mom focused on how we felt after a walk or a good meal. She’d say things like, “Doesn’t your body feel happy after that salad?” or “That dance party really got our hearts going.”
For those of us in plus size bodies, this lesson is everything. Health doesn’t have one look, and it definitely doesn’t come in one size. It’s about energy, joy, and caring for yourself from the inside out. This philosophy aligns beautifully with the Health at Every Size framework, which centers wellbeing rather than weight.
The Legacy of Love
These little lessons weren’t flashy. They didn’t come wrapped in sparkly affirmations or social media quotes. But they were consistent, gentle, and empowering. They laid the foundation for the relationship I have with my body today.
As we move into this new season, maybe even a new chapter, let’s carry these truths with us. Let’s celebrate the bodies we live in, challenge the messages that try to shrink us, and pass down the kind of wisdom that uplifts future generations.
What body positive gems did your mom or a mother figure share with you? Drop them in the comments. We’d love to hear your story.