Thank you so much for your prompt reply. You have made me feel so much better. I could not find anyone to tell me anything about children and weight, even our family doctor, whom we adore, seemed hesitant about discussing Emily’s weight, acknowledging she was big, but shrugging it off. I simply wanted someone to say, this is okay or to tell me what to do about it. I am extremely happy to have you say she is okay.
We will continue to increase our physical activity as a family in a fun and positive way and not focusing it on any reason. It is a load off my shoulders to know I will not have to count calories or calculate fat content of food (within reason I know)! Anyway, thank you so much. I am so glad to have stumbled upon your site. You have been a real blessing to us both (and my husband who never felt anything was wrong and is happy I can put this issue at rest)!
I do have one further question, not a priority maybe food for thought. If my daughter is an okay shape and weight, why can I never find clothes to fit her waist? Is society’s idea of a perfect weight really too small and the clothing industry is supporting this or is fashion not in touch with reality. It’s a good thing I can sew!
I am relieved as well. I never know how someone will react to being told to back off food issues. It is a surprisingly hot topic among health-conscious parents. Sometimes parents forget that kids who are big for their age probably have taller or larger parents.
The best you can do for your daughter is buy basic, healthy foods, cook from scratch and allow her age appropriate choices of how much to eat. By the time she reaches school age, she will start making food choices like school lunch anyway so why not gently educate her and empower her ability to choose? Encourage her to be physically active and involved in sports. Be a positive role model for her that women should have strong, healthy bodies by exercising with her.
Your daughter’s doctor should have given you more definite advice or referred you to a dietitian. Another good source is a series of books by Ellen Slater. She is a psychologist and dietitian who has written “How to get your kid to eat, but not too much” and “Child of Mine”.
Counting calories or grams of fat is boring and puts the emphasis on the process rather than the goal – eat healthy in moderate amounts.
Don’t know about kid-sized clothes, but try an older size since she is tall for age and hem up long skirts or slacks. These older kid clothes will probably fit more comfortably all around too. She is lucky that you can sew.
