Calling all parents of sedentary kids!

You are his mom...so if you know at 7 he is eating badly...now is your chance to teach him healthy eating habits. Whether or not he will eventually be fat is secondary...even a skinny person who only eats junk...isn't healthy...

At 7 he isn't choosing his diet...you are. His father should want what is best for him as well...and even if it causes temporary issue...his health should come first

Not saying that it has to be all or nothing on the junk...but primarily he should be eating healthy.

Time for a sit down with Dad...and stop bringing it the house...tell Dad...it isn't healthy for a growing boy to eat this way...if you are going to eat that way...you will need to get it yourself, and make your own unhealthy choices for dinner...

One dinner...semi healthy(not food a normal kid would never touch) You want cookies after...then you need to eat "3 bites" of each vegetable...etc

You are the mom....

And yes, I have kids...4 of them...and they eat vegetables....reluctantly at times..but they do..

They also eat far more treats than I do as well...but that is perfectly fine with me...as long as they get the good stuff in there first.

Hi! I'm not a parent, but my sister is VERY healthy and active, however she put on a lot of weight between the ages of 10 and 12. Then, when she lost it (naturally, with no extra exercise or healthy eating). I think this might be something a lot of kids go through at the start of puberty, so don't be too worried

Hi! I'm not a parent, but my sister is VERY healthy and active, however she put on a lot of weight between the ages of 10 and 12. Then, when she lost it (naturally, with no extra exercise or healthy eating). I think this might be something a lot of kids go through at the start of puberty, so don't be too worried

This is true, but 7 is far too young to be starting puberty. With boys, that pretty routinely starts at 11. 9 is the super young side of that (and could explain my son's recent weight gain, despite tons of exercise and healthy eating), but 7 is definitely not within the realm. While girls are starting puberty younger and younger, that effect is far less prevalent in boys.

I don't think you should force Spence to play something he doesn't enjoy.
Everyone raises their kids differently.
I do make Cody choose a sport but he does enjoy team sports.
Cody isn't the fastest kid and his friends do say things to him and other kids but when I coached, I nipped that in the butt, but not all coaches are the same.
Its all about finding things he enjoys besides reading or video games.
You have been around on my facebook for a few yrs, you are an amazing mom, you will find out what is right for him.

Oh and as for the activity level, with a "brain" child.

I have one of those...he never wanted to do anything competitive as far as sports go etc. Find him activities he can enjoy that don't team him up with or against other kids...

Like a skateboard, a bike, shoot some hoops with him...

And limit was is acceptable as screen time daily. If he doesn't have the option of more screen time, he will probably find something to do..

But at 7, screen time should be very limited unless lousy weather or sick.

My son was always a reader as well...tough to tell them not to read...but you can make them go for a walk with you etc.

my 4 year old who is the same loves to cuddle up on the couch watch tv and is a bit of an introvert now gets mad at me when i work out and he doesnt get to take part. Watching him to jumping jacks is hilarious but he loves it and brags to all of his friends and family about how hard the exercise was that he did with me the other day.

Bump for later.

My daughter just recently turned 8 and is also in 2nd grade and would sit around on the computer or the Wii if I let her. My husband is also a very picky eater and doesn't eat much in the veggie department, so she doesn't either.

For activities, I enrolled her in ice skating lessons this past summer and she LOVES it! If she didn't, we'd find another sport. You just have to keep trying until you find an activity or sport that he enjoys. Also, we live only 1/2 mile from her school, so on sunny days we walk to and from school. She may whine for a second when she comes out and sees me with her scooter, but then I challenge her to a race and everything's good.

For food, I made a deal with her. She has to choose one new fruit and one new vegetable to try at the store every week. If she doesn't like it, fine. She doesn't have to eat it. But we have found several new options she enjoys. If you get him involved in choosing those foods on his own, he may be more apt to try them.

I really appreciate all the replies. Please keep the ideas coming.

A few things...

He has played sports since he was old enough. He has a "trophy" for every year from 2008-now. He's played t-ball and soccer, but also participated in Karate. He is not the most athletic kid and is kind of awkward on the field. He is aware that he isn't the fastest and that bothers him, even though we've not said a word. His friends have started making comments that tag isn't as fun when he is "it" because he isn't fast. Hearing this bothered me and clearly him, otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned it.

Do I continue pushing sports when I am well aware it affects his self-esteem? We tried Karate. He enjoyed it until his teacher humiliated him for not being physically able to do a stretch. He didn't understand what he was asking, and instead of him helping or showing him proper form he screamed at him over and over until I had to intervene. He kind of shut down in a panic. Sorry, I'm not going to allow my then 6 year old to be brought to tears because an adult is not doing their job as a teacher. It has very much scared him away from classes like that.

We are a member of a huge gym that doubles as a swim club. He goes to "kid's quest" while I workout. There's inflatables and giant climbing things. Sometimes he'll play and sometimes he won't. It really depends on his mood. We also swim a lot during the winter. He does get activity on occasion but if I allow him his stuff at home that's where he'd much rather be.

I will definitely look into the geocaching!! I realize now that I shouldn't call it exercise and just emphasis activity. We don't say the word fat around here - just healthy.

Sounds like you are trying to do all the right things to me. I have one kid who was terrible at soccer and was getting to an age that his friends would start making fun of him, so he is no longer in soccer. Found out he loves Tai kwon do though (has an awesome teacher) and we do swim team and golf in the summer ....may not be able to continue swim team because he is the slowest too unfortunately. He also runs laps around his room at bedtime...no clue why but I figure it's a great way to excercise so why stop him (he is really skinny). Eats all kinds of fruits and veggies.
My other kid who is extremely athletic but is also starting to get chunky...not due to lack of excercise because he never stops moving either but I'm pretty sure it is his eating habits. He will only eat 2 types of veggies and most fruits though and the couple of times we made him try other veggies he puked them up. I just limit his junk intake and push the veggies he will eat and fruit and hope for a growth spurt (he's also very short for his age and that doesn't help either and wears glasses now too)


Also insist both my boys go play with their friends on the evenings they don't have much homework and weekends.

My daughter is not even 3 yet and she takes dance (she loves it) and in the spring we will try and see if she likes soccer.

If he likes the karate, I would find another place to take him to...get friend recommendations, teacher just sounds like an a-hole....no need for that...
Best of Luck!

I think you've gotten a lot of good advice and it sounds like you're already doing some of the right things.

I would just add, why don't you sit down with him and look at all the programs that your county's Parks and Rec. dept. offer? Maybe choose one a session to either try out or repeat?

Also, schedule hikes at local parks on the weekends. It's a great way to spend time with each other and get in some activity.

Finally, on the exercise, why are you giving him a choice? He's 7.

Thank you!
This is the conversation I have with my son all the time:
"I'm an adult. You are a child. I am your mother. I tell you what to do. You do it. Remember? You can ask why but it needs to be respectful, you still have to do it, and I don't always have to explain myself..to..you." Most of the time he laughs.

Maybe you and hubby could comprimise. A healthy food day 2-3 days a week where you don't have to cook 2 x's. I was doing the same thing but now husband is working out with me. SO MUCH easier with support!

I know it will be difficult at first for you all, but I think it's time to start putting your foot down. Like others have said, you're the parents ... therefore, you should be in charge of his activity level & what he's eating. I'm not saying take away all treats or force him to jump into multiple sports, by any means, but start making small changes.
Luckily, Cole is a VERY active kid, who would rather be outside than sitting in front of the TV or playing a video game for the most part, but he's still not a huge jock that loves sports either. He would rather be walking in the woods or sledding than playing organized sports, so we, of course, definitley encourage that. We do, however, tell him that he needs to participate in one sport throughout the year to stay in shape. We let him choose the sport. Sometimes he does more than one a year and others it may just be hockey [which he's now been doing year round]. I am fine w/that. I just want him to be active.
Same goes for eating. Cole is a kid ( ... well, teen ... ). He still likes his treats and there's nothing wrong with that; we all do. But I limit how much junk he can have. If he's already had say, a cookie for an after-school snack then the night time snack will have to be something healthy, such as a piece of fruit or yogurt. I also do not cook seperate meals at my house. If I'm making spaghetti w/ground turkey & whole wheat pasta, that's what everyone gets. Don't like it, don't eat, but then you're not going to fill up on junk later. Let me tell you, they learn pretty cook that they better just eat what's offered.
I think our kids learn a lot by example, so next time Spencer sees you exercising maybe have a talk with him [especially if he asks questions] about WHY you exercise. Maybe make a point to tell him that you always don't LIKE doing it, but you do it because it makes you feel good and keeps you healthy. Same with eating. Cole has seen me reading labels on food before and I have taught him to do the same. I've given him the basics, such as calories & fat and most importantly, have stressed the importance of the serving size listed on foods.
Good luck, girl! You've done amazing work on yourself, there's no reason the rest of your family shouldn't benefit as well! Whether they like it or not. Someday they'll ALL thank you.

alright girly....I totally feel your pain!!!

My son is more of a indoorsy versus outdoorsy person too!! In order to get him to do more physical activity...limit how much he can go on the computer or play games or even read!!! If you limit the things he normally does...he will have to fill his time with other things!! Also...find other activities that you can do togethor that have more benefits!! If you get him a camera, and then offer to take him hiking so he can take pics...he might be more inclined! If you offer to run a race togethor where he can get a medal, he might be more excited!!! MAKE IT FUN...LIMIT the norms!!

As for the food...that is completely up to you and your hubby...if your hubby has "crap" in the house...then allow your son 1-2 of his OWN snacks (my son gets a pack of cookies every 2 weeks and a box of fruit scacks), at first tell him that that is what he gets for the 2 weeks....when it is gone it is gone!! See how he does...if he consistently runs out week after week...then start limiting him 2 servings per day!! (let's face it...2 oreos is never enough!)

If you go out to eat....don't let him get the pizza every time....have him try new things each time!! Having him try new things will get him to learn what other things he may like and therefore intro him to some other healthier options prob!! If you go to subway...MAKE him get at least 2 veggies of his choice on the sub....I did this with my son...and now he gets like5-6 most times!!

Point being...his future is in YOUR hands....help carry him to success instead of push him to failure!