How to Teach Tween Girls to Look Their Best—Inside and Out

As a mother of four, I’ve spent many years trying to make the budget stretch to outfit my kids so that they look nice and feel good about what they’re wearing. It hasn’t always been easy to balance their needs and wants and make sure each one of our children is confident with their appearance, as well as being mother approved. We’ve had our share of power struggles. Why is it that my teen son wants his hair long, and my junior higher wants to wear cut-offs that are too short? Let’s face it. It’s tough being a kid, or an adult for that matter, in a world that judges worth on outward appearance. But as Christian parents, we know that how we dress isn’t only about clothes.

We also want to teach our kids the importance of godly virtue and what God thinks is important. As my kids grow into adults, I want them to know their hearts are more important than how they look on the outside. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

So what does God think is stylish? Colossians 3:12-17 tells us.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

These verses made such an impact on me that I wrote The Christian Girls Guide to Style, a book for girls ages 8 to 12 about the importance of being their best inside and out.

If we teach our tween girls how to be compassionate, kind, and gentle, among the other godly principles, and show them how to dress their best, their confidence will soar.