Parents, we’re with you

We are glad you’re with us! We are parents too, looking for ways to create environments for young people (and ourselves) that are free of harmful diet culture and “body ideals” that crush our spirits and our health. More than ever, we are aware it hurts the mental and physical health of our children.

WithAll's Seven Guiding Priciples

01 AVOID SINGLING KIDS OUT
No child should be singled out as a “special case” needing more attention related to food, body, or exercise.

02 DON’T MAKE HEALTH A NUMBER’S GAME
Health and well-being are the goals, not a certain weight, size, or BMI.

03 REMEMBER THAT SELF-WORTH IS NOT SKIN-DEEP
Our value as human beings does not come as weight, size, appearance or BMI.

04 LET KIDS BE KIDS BY LETTING FOOD BE FOOD
Food choices are not moral issues (i.e. “clean,” “junk,” “bad,” etc.) It’s just food.

05 LET FOOD BE FUEL AND FUN
Food provides the nourishment and nutrition our bodies need to be healthy, and food is also about community, traditions and celebration.

06 MAKE MOVEMENT JOYFUL
Exercise-movement-is critical to emotional and physical wellness and overall well being. Its value is not in controlling weight, size or shape.

07 YOU WON’T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT AND THAT’S OK
Any effort you make to promote children’s body image and healthy relationship with food is commendable, and shows your love and care for the kids in your life. You’re doing great!

What to Say

  • A Simple Guide for What to Say
    WithAll’s Simple Guide for What to Say is the foundation of our What to Say initiative. We encourage every adult role model to use these principles as their home base when deciding what to say to a child related to food, body, and exercise. Consistently choosing words and actions that…
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Tip of the Month

Sign up for 'What to Say' tips on discussing food and body with your kids.
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Additional Parent Guides

  • A Parents Guide to Social Media

    In this digital age, kids and teens are more connected than ever, but are they safe? Social media, while fostering connections, can be harmful to mental health. As parents, are you equipped to guide young people through this evolving landscape?

    View Guide
  • Parent Power Pack

    As a parent, you’ve likely observed that some influential adults in your child’s life may not fully grasp the impact of their words on food, body image, and exercise. They might unknowingly be saying things that can be harmfully impactful on your child or other young people.

    View Guide
  • A Simple Guide for What to Say

    WithAll’s Simple Guide for What to Say is the foundation of our What to Say initiative. We encourage every adult role model to use these principles as their home base when deciding what to say to a child related to food, body, and exercise. Consistently choosing words and actions that flow from these principles gives kids a foundation of lifelong health and well-being related to food, body, and exercise.

    View Guide
  • What to Say Q&A Series

    As an adult who cares deeply about the children in your life, we know that you are doing your best to protect their physical and mental health by stopping diet & weight talk. This series provides answers to your everyday questions about supporting the health of kids through food and body. Engaging voices you can trust, WithAll gives you access to expert and relevant guidance and practical steps for supporting your kids health.

    View Guide

Key Resources

  • Eating Disorder Help
    Eating disorders are serious, complex illnesses that can cause severe harm to those affected. That’s why it’s so important to…
    View Resource
  • What to Say Instead
    Avoiding diet and weight talk doesn’t have to be hard. The key is to focus on simple adjustments to create…
    View Resource
  • Why This Matters
    Kids are not born thinking about carbs, clean plates, their size, or being “perfect.” They are born loving their bodies…
    View Resource
View Resource Library

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Featured Resource

Featured Blogs

PARENTS

Diet Culture is the Problem – Your Body is Not

Mar 21, 2024

The majority of people dabble with this sort of behavior, and many are willing to try plans, potions, or programs again and again in the hopes of slimming or reshaping their bodies. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about if this describes you. Why wouldn’t you want...

read more

PARENTS

PARENTS

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Take the Pledge

At WithAll, we are all too familiar with the devastating consequences of eating disorders. With 70% of girls and 40% of boys reporting body dissatisfaction, there is no better time for you to make a positive impact on the kids in your life.

That’s why we started the What to Say initiative.

Click Here

What to say

What to Say is dedicated to equipping adults with simple tools to help kids develop healthy relationships with food and body. It starts with a 30-second pledge: to stop diet and weight talk. From there, you’ll receive ongoing resources on how to replace diet and weight talk and be an advocate for the kids in your life.

What to Say works. Pledge signers have found an 87% positive change in their behaviors and words. This means that more kids have a chance to grow up free of disordered eating and thinking.

Stay Connected

Join us on social for the stories and moments making this community stronger and transforming lives.

What to Say Coaches Challenge

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Take The Pledge

THE PLEDGE: I believe that words matter. I want to make a positive impact on the kids in my life by stopping harmful diet and weight talk. I am committed to making sure that every child gets a chance to develop healthy relationships with food and body.

 









Coming Soon!

Shannon assists with the logistics of development and operations and making every day run as smoothly as possible. Her day-to-day focuses on our Recovery Support Program, budget management, events, and administrative support. She enjoys being part of the nonprofit world and finding ways to help enhance the organization. She has a heart for serving others and helping people succeed.

Shannon has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health & Exercise Science from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from Walden University.

Outside of work, you can find Shannon chasing her two girls around, attending sporting events and finding the next brewery or winery to explore.

Lindsay leads our operations, programming, fundraising, and communications to better fulfill our mission. She enjoys engaging with our supporters and stakeholders to build stronger connections to our work. Outside the office, you can find her planning her next trip, exploring the Twin Cities, or reading her book club’s latest pick.

With ten years of experience in nonprofit and foundation administration, Lindsay is a creative project manager working to strengthen all our operations. She loves being a part of a team deeply dedicated to discovering innovative and effective strategies to end eating disorders and is excited to invite others into this important work. Efficient and collaborative, she executes activity across all operations, including fundraising, events, communications, and programming. Lindsay has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, and a fundraising certificate from the University of St. Thomas. She and her family live in Richfield, MN.

As Executive Director, Lisa leads WithAll’s strategic growth as a sustainable social enterprise dedicated to the prevention of and healing from eating disorders.

Lisa has more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, community relations, and law, and nearly 15 years of experience in non-profit leadership, most recently at Minnesota Public Radio/American Public Media. She is a graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, a member of the Minnesota Bar, and a Minnesota Supreme Court appointee to Minnesota’s Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board. She volunteers with her daughter’s school and with youth sports.

Lisa does this work because she knows eating disorders are not a choice; they are deadly, and they are everywhere. She also knows kids are not born with harmful thoughts and actions around food or their body—and it’s our job as adults to keep it this way so they can focus their precious brains and time on things that matter.

Lisa finds laughter, all children, and the numerous variations of sparkling water to be delightful.