'They are shiny and sparkly' Mum explains stretch marks and body positivity to her daughter in the best way

A mum's post about how she explained her stretch marks to her daughter has gone viral, showing the importance of encouraging body positivity in children.

Allison Kimmey shared the conversation she had with her daughter about her stretch marks on her Facebook page, and it quickly got people's attention.

In the post, the mum writes that the two were by the pool when her daughter asked about the 'lines' on her stomach.

Trying to explain stretch marks in a way that her daughter wouldn't see them as a negative thing, Allison called them 'glitter stripes' and told her daughter that she would also get them when she's older.

https://www.facebook.com/allisonkimmeybiz/posts/1208730352578959:0

'When I was a little older than you, I got some stripes when I grew really fast! And some of these stripes are from when I had you growing in my tummy', Allison replied when her daughter asked her where the stretch marks came from.

'They are shiny and sparkly, aren't they pretty?', her daughter replied, according to Allison's post, before asking 'When can I get some?'

Talking about the importance of encouraging body positivity in children, especially girls, Allison urged other mums to carefully consider how they talk to their daughters about their bodies.

'IT MATTERS HOW WE TALK TO OUR DAUGHTERS ABOUT OUR BODIES! They are listening. They are asking.

'And it is up to YOU to help them shape how they will feel about these things! Will you continue the shame that society has placed on you? Or will you teach her a new way of love? I choose love.'

Since Allison shared the cute interaction she had with her daughter on Facebook, the post has had over 20,000 shares.

Many commented to share their own experiences with encouraging body positivity in their children and how their own mums shaped the way they see their bodies.

'This is one lucky little girl. My mamas favourite words for me were thunder thighs and baby Huey, for as long as I can remember. By the time I was a teen, and a size 12, I truly thought I was fat. I was almost 40 before I gained any body confidence', one woman commented.

'I asked my daughter what she loved most about herself, she is 4, she pointed to her birthmark on her hand. She said "I like this spot, everyone always thinks it's a booboo, but it's not. I think it makes my hand pretty",' another mum commented.

'I teach kindergarten and it makes me sad when I have kids ask how many calories are in a snack. This is awesome! Thanks for sharing!!', one teacher wrote.

How do you encourage body positivity in your children? Let us know in the comments!