Mom’s Facebook Post Shows Why We Should Always Lead by Example

Sometimes, a few kind words can go a long way. Just ask Brittney Johnson.

In a now viral photo on Facebook, Johnson and her 4-year-old daughter can be seen shopping for bathing suits. The photo shows Johnson in a bathing suit and her daughter trying on a suit that she had previously disregarded.

However, Johnson’s little daughter did not seem to notice that the bathing suit didn’t fit. The little girl saw her beautiful reflection in the mirror, which lead to a heartwarming moment for the mother and daughter.

“And then I snapped this one,” Johnson wrote on Facebook. “See that sweet baby girl in the corner? With half a dress on and one of the bikini tops I had picked out? I stopped for a second to see what she would say and when she turned to the mirror, she said ‘Wow I just love cheetah print! I think I look beautiful! Do you think I look beautiful too?!'”

The simple question quickly registered with Johnson and it gave her a moment of clarity.

“It hit me that she only says what she hears,” Johnson wrote on Facebook. “What she sees. I tell her that she is beautiful every single day. She is kind walking through the mall, because I tell her she is kind everywhere else.”

She continued, “She is polite at the order counter because she hears me when I’m polite to strangers everywhere. She gives compliments to people she doesn’t know because she loves how it feels when she hears them.”

Johnson shared the touching moment on Facebook where the post quickly went viral. Many users also left comments sharing just how uplifting the story truly is.

“Beautiful words for all, live by example,” one user shared.

“What a great lesson for us all!! Thanks for reminding us our little ones are always listening and learning from the people in their lives. You’re a great mom,” another user wrote.

For Johnson, the public reaction to her viral post has simply been “overwhelming.”

“It has been very positive, encouraging and supportive and I am so proud that it has made women everywhere say ‘I am DONE talking bad about myself!'” Johnson wrote to Your Daily Dish. “I hope people take away from it that we are all beautiful in our own way and that our voice about our children and about ourselves becomes their inner voice.”

Johnson hopes that her story will help other mothers set a good example for their children.

“Be honest and be positive,” Johnson told Today. “I tell [Payton] the truth and I tell her she’s beautiful, and that’s why she trusts me and is confident. I have learned … in teaching her about her own body, how I should see mine. Women’s bodies are wonderful. They are strong and powerful and deserve to feel like it.”

In recent years, some studies have suggested that children as young as 5 years old could be impacted by body image standards, so it is important to set a good example.