Please Avoid Being the First Negative Influence on Your Child’s Weight

Hey parents, I urge you to steer clear of discussions regarding your children’s weight gain during the pandemic. We’ve been navigating this global crisis for about 16 months now. While some aspects of life are returning to normal, many things remain different. Our children are not yet eligible for vaccinations and continue to wear masks in public places. They have missed out on numerous activities they would typically enjoy and have endured a year of pandemic schooling. They’ve faced significant upheaval and deserve recognition for managing all this uncertainty and disappointment.

During the periods of strict lockdown, kids might have snacked a bit more, lounged around a little longer, and engaged in less physical activity. If you’ve noticed that your child—especially one who was already on the heavier side—has gained some weight, it’s important to approach this with care.

As someone who has experienced being a larger child and now lives in a larger body, I implore you to let your child feel at ease in their body for as long as possible. The world often tries to undermine their confidence and promote the idea that fat bodies are entirely unacceptable. Unfortunately, we cannot escape the grips of diet culture, which makes it challenging to maintain a positive body image without significant effort.

Please, for the love of everything, do not be the first to make your child feel uncomfortable about their weight. Avoid discussing their weight changes, questioning their food choices, or making comments about their appearance. Refrain from putting them on restrictive diets! Your concerns about your child’s weight may stem from your discomfort with fatness, which has been ingrained in you by societal messages that equate fatness with unhealthiness, unattractiveness, and loneliness.

These harmful stereotypes have been cultivated to sell weight-loss products and create exclusivity in fashion. The belief that thinness correlates with health, wealth, and happiness is a narrative pushed by influential figures for profit. In reality, many individuals in larger bodies are healthy, happy, and fulfilled.

Of course, you have every right to be concerned about your child’s weight, but it’s essential to gain perspective. Your child has endured a global trauma, and if they’ve gained weight, they are not alone—millions of us have. For instance, I also gained weight during the pandemic. I found comfort in food while adapting to a new lifestyle, and my body responded naturally to those changes.

As life gradually returns to normal, my habits have shifted back, and I have lost the additional weight without any intentional effort. Bodies fluctuate, and that is entirely normal.

Think about the implications of making a big deal out of your child’s weight. If they return to school and lose the extra pounds, you risk sending the message that they are only acceptable to you when they are thin. Conversely, if they maintain their size, they might internalize the idea that their body is a disappointment to you.

As a parent, your role is to provide unconditional love and support. If your feelings about body size affect your relationship with your child, they deserve better from you. It’s never too late to change your approach.

Before you react negatively in the comments, let me clarify that I am not suggesting you ignore significant changes in your child’s weight. If you believe it warrants discussion, address it privately with their healthcare provider to ensure they receive proper care. At home, focus on encouraging healthy eating habits without regard to appearance. Model positive behavior and teach them how to enjoy movement without pressure.

Allow children the space to experience their bodies freely, especially during such a challenging time. Confront your biases about body size rather than passing them onto your innocent children.

For more insights on this topic, check out this article on home insemination, which discusses various aspects of parenting. Also, if you’re looking for a trusted resource on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Women’s Health.

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Summary:

It’s crucial for parents to avoid making negative comments about their child’s weight, especially in the context of pandemic-related changes. Encouraging a healthy, positive body image is essential to support children who have faced significant upheaval during this time. Focus on promoting healthy habits and unconditional love rather than emphasizing weight or appearance.

Keyphrase: child’s weight management

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