Girls and Self Esteem – The Topic That Never Gets Old
I’m not much into celebrity worship. I have no idea what they’re wearing, with whom they’re fornicating or, in many cases, what their names are. They’re just people, after all, and are no more special than you or I. They just have different jobs. I just read a new book, though, that reminded me that they really, really are just like us – including their struggles with confidence & self esteem. All that money to pay for surgery and maids doesn’t change that.
Exactly As I Am: Celebrated Women Share Candid Advice with Today’s Girls on What It Takes to Believe in Yourself was written by Emmy Award winning journalist and weekend co-host for “Access Hollywood” Shaun Robinson. She includes such women as Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Queen Latifah, Martina Navratilova, Diane Sawyer, Oprah Winfrey and more, who share their own struggles with self-esteem and body image. Through short & readable interviews with these women and many average young girls too, Exactly as I Am shows young women how to achieve a balance between accepting how they look and appreciating who they are on the inside. Shaun talks about her own journey of self-esteem, the pressures women everywhere face every day—even women at the height of their professions and fame, how to seize every opportunity to build confidence and learn to be comfortable in your own skin and how, no matter what happens, every female (and yes, male, but they can get their own book) can and should reach for their goals, no matter what they are.
It was a great read for me, but I think I’m pretty confident and don’t struggle much with self esteem – mostly thanks to having great parents, a great childhood and now a great husband. Almost everyone Shaun talked to for her book mentions the impact of their families on their confidence and self-esteem. The responsibility we bear as we raise children is huge. Magnificent, even. Larger than most of us even know. This book was great for me, yes, but I think it would be even better for a young girl. Any young girl. Perhaps EVERY young girl. My own copy will be set aside for my toddler daughter to read as she approaches those dreaded tween years. For a young girl to read the words of these people she sees airbrushed in magazines and to know that they feel or have felt exactly they way that she does on her worst day is an awesome gift. To be cherished exactly as you are by the people who are entrusted raising you is even more awesome. Go hug your daughters and tell them they’re stunningly beautiful inside and out, and that you love them exactly as they are.
Win it! To enter to win a copy of Shaun’s book, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on July 1, 2009.
CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED
June 24th, 2009 at 4:46 am
This book sounds like a must read!
June 24th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Sounds like a must-read!
June 24th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
This could be interesting to read. I do enjoy reading about celebrating women, as we are not appreciated as we should be. (as my son would say HMFFF!) Thanks for the chance to read it.
June 24th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
You wrote an excellent review of exactly as i am–made me want to read the book. Every girl should benefit from the wisdom of Shaun Robinson. Thank you for the contest.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
love to win mverno@roadrunner.com
June 24th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I’d love to read this book and pass it on to my daughters who have young and growing families!
………such an important issue!
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
(in Canada)
June 24th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
would love to read
June 24th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I always struggled with self-esteem and have wondered how I am going to help my daughter avoid those struggles. This book sounds great.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
This would be a great book for my teenage daughter. Please count me in to win.
June 25th, 2009 at 3:48 am
I think no matter how confident we are most of the time, sometimes it needs a boost. This book looks like the solution.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:00 am
looks like a good read
June 25th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Nice giveaway!
June 25th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
sounds good
June 25th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I would love to win this for my 12 year old niece who is struggling with body image.
smchester at gmail dot com
June 25th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Ooh, my little sister needs to read this
June 25th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
This looks like a good book.
June 26th, 2009 at 8:00 am
As a young girl, my self esteem was horrible. I really want more for my daughter. I am always looking for a new book or place to read how I can do this, this book looks great.
Thanks for hosting another great giveaway!
June 26th, 2009 at 10:51 am
I have three daughters…this book sounds like it will be a great read for each of them!!!
June 26th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I would love to be able to win this for my niece. Thanks for the giveaway.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I subscribe via Google reader.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I have 3 teen daughters… sounds very informative!
June 28th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Sounds interesting. Count me in:)
June 28th, 2009 at 1:09 am
Count me in. Thanks.
sweet_soul_sistermi@yahoo.com
June 28th, 2009 at 3:07 am
Sounds like a great book for my two daughters! Thanks for the info!
June 28th, 2009 at 8:45 am
I am a subscriber.
June 29th, 2009 at 8:03 am
I need this book badly . I really hope to win it
thanks for the opportunity
June 29th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
June 29th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
looks interesting for the little one
June 30th, 2009 at 5:52 am
this would be great thanks for the chance
June 30th, 2009 at 6:37 am
This book sounds like a good read.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Sounds great. Looks very interesting, Thanks for the chance!
June 30th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
This looks like such a great book!
June 30th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Great read, great contest!
June 30th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
It’s always a good time for women to celebrate women and women to accept and celebrate themselves. This is a book I’d like to read. Thanks for this opportunity.
June 30th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I would love this for my daughter
June 30th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Thanks for the giveaway!
July 1st, 2009 at 5:56 am
Sounds like a good read.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:03 am
I would lpve to win this book for my granddaughter. It would be a great help for her as she enters the tween years.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:09 am
This is a message that never gets old. Wonderful!
July 1st, 2009 at 6:41 am
I’ve been reading everything in site lately. Thank you for the opportunity to win this.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
Sounds good.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:44 am
I’d like to read this
July 1st, 2009 at 7:45 am
subscribed
July 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:35 am
This sounds like a great read!
July 1st, 2009 at 10:59 am
Some of us struggle with self esteem more than others. It’s always interesting to know that we are not alone and that some of those people are the ones we think lead magical lives. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!
July 1st, 2009 at 11:28 am
Thanks for the GREAT giveaway
please count me in
July 1st, 2009 at 11:58 am
I could have used this as a youngster! Thanks for the chance.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Happy Summer!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I would really love to give this to my BF’s stepdaughter. She is 12 and I already see her conforming to what society expects beauty to be. I want her to know she is loved just as she is. Thanks!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
July 1st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I have 3 girls and this sounds like a really neat book