BY JO ABI
Being a fat kid isn’t any fun. I remember being teased at school for being a ‘fat wog’ (how creative). It’s quite a life-changer to have twenty skinny young girls pointing and laughing at you in the playground while your ‘friends’ inch away from you.
It was the first time I realised I was overweight. Now every time I overeat I remember that day and I hear their taunts in my head.
This is probably why I’m so paranoid about my own children’s weight.
Like most parents, I’ve been conscious of feeding my kids the right and healthy amount from the time they were born. My son went from being too little due a severe food allergy to my breast milk to making up for lost time on formula. I was so relieved he was eating that I let him have as much as he wanted.
The nurse at the baby clinic told me to restrict how much formula I was allowing him to have. She explained that the amount of fat cells he formed now would stay with him for life. At first I thought it was silly. Babies don’t need to go on diets. But I did start measuring his meals and was more careful from that point on.
My children are eight, five and three now and one of my biggest fears is that they will end up being overweight. I let them eat unhealthy food but not a lot. I offer them three healthy meals a day. If they aren’t hungry I put it away for later. I never make them eat when they don’t want to. And I don’t use food as a reward. Stickers and stamps work just as well as rewards.
The problem is that every time I restrict the type of food and the amount of food my children eat in public, someone always comments. “They’re only kids once”, “Let them have a treat”, “That’s a bit harsh”, “A bit of cake never hurt anyone”.
Bugger off.
I see so many overweight children these days. I know their parents don’t mean them any harm. They are often struggling with their own food issues. It’s just sad because we teach our children manners, we teach them how to count, how to cross the road with adults but we seem to think that if we talk to them about how to eat they’ll end up with eating disorders or something. But if we don’t teach them how to eat without putting on weight, who will? Isn’t it one of our most important jobs as parents to teach children how to eat in a way that encourages healthy and happiness?
Top Comments
I am overweight, probably considered obese by the charts. My children are however within a healthy weight range for their height. I was irresponsible with my own choices for my own body but I won't be so cavalier with ther bodies!!!!!
I agree completely and totally. I grew up fat, and I'm fat now although I finally found a way through plant based eating to get it off. Although I have zero doubts that I will finally achieve a normal weight, at 46 yrs old I'm facing the ravages of a body over inflated for so long. Yes, my health has returned, I have a spring in my step and my life is good. But at the cost of so much pain? I see fat kids and my heart breaks. I was 80 lbs by the time I was in the 2nd grade. There is no excuse for that. But always remember to always have their health at the forefront. Never call your kids fat or make them cold and hard when it comes to other kids. Help them to understand why you are doing what you do, and that the fat kids they go to school with are hurting and unhealthy and that it doesn't make them bad.