From Tyler, Child's Age 14 - 12/21/04 - IP#: 152.163.101.xxx Click here to reply
Today I took my daughter to the doctor for just her annual check up. She went in and did her thing, then at the end of it, the doctor called me from the waiting room, and shocked me by telling me that my 14 year old is weighing in at 197lbs. Last year she was at 159 which at that time was a little bit over what her ideal would be (the told us not to worry, she would grow out of it soon) and the year before that she was at 124. All the years before that she was right on target which where she should be. Now, I've noticed for awhile that my daughter has been chunkier then most of her peers, but my wife told me not to mention it to her, as it might upset her (nothing hurts worse then when your father tells you your fat she told me). The doctor told me that these excessive weight gains were putting hazards on her health since most if not all the 70lbs she has put in the last two years are fat, and if she continued this way she would be at 250lbs most likely by next year. He scheduled and appt. with a dietitian for after the new year. When we got to the car, I brought up the topic lightly, not knowing how she would react. Surprisingly, she took it very well. She told me that it didn't bother her being this size (despite the fact that both my wife and I weigh less than 180 pounds). I brought up the risks that were being imposed on her health, and that didn't bother her either. Nothing that I mentioned to her seemed to make a difference to her; she simply will not except that she needs to do something about her weight problem. My wife began to argue with her when we got home, which made matters worse. I'm not sure how to push the matter without making it worse. If any of you have any suggestions about how I can get through to her, I would appreciate them greatly. Happy Holidays.
Reply from Amal, Child's Age 14 - 01/02/05 - IP#: 195.93.32.xxx you have to tell her, clearly and get the points across,u kno all the hazard and stuff.As a father you should not be afraid to tell her that she is overweight.Im 5.5feet and weigh 145pounds(most of my weights muscle though cos i do lots of sports),still my dads always tellin me that im fat,but im not really that much overweight.Hes just overexaggerating the fact to push me and make me try harder and be slightly lighter.In a way you need to be mean to be kind.from Amal
Reply from newgirl, Child's Age 14 - 12/25/04 - IP#: 68.104.241.xxx shes not FAT! never, ever, ever call your child fat!! just sit her down and tell her that shes overweight, and that its simply not healthy. get her working out,and bring those caloires down! she should be eating 1200-1400 to lose weight.
Reply from Eliza, Child's Age 19 - 12/22/04 - IP#: 63.198.177.xxx I suggest sitting down and talkin with your child openly. If she is not affected at all by her size then honestly, there is not much you can do to convince her otherwise. Try not to lose your head and avoid any talk of diets. As for her actualy weight, just transition most unhealthy foods out of the house, don't stuff the cabinets full of celery, but substitute normal food for the junk. I also suggest going on outdoor trips as a family, hikes are always good, or just a trip downtown. Just be supportive of your daughter, at this age, her weight is slowly becoming her own choice.
