Talking to my 5 year old

It really is amazing how young it starts now. My daughter is 12 and we have been having these types of conversations for years! We always tell ehr as long as you stay active, make healthy food choices, and drink water, don't worry about your size. We've had to explain that everyone's body is different and that no 2 people look exactly alike. When she says her legs are fat, I make her look at the muscle definition she has. Also we ahve told ehr that sometimes before a growth spurt your body holds onto food for longer to prepare to go through this spurt. It needs more energy to keep up with everyday life and grow at the same time!! (no idea if it is true but hey, sounds good! LOL)
My daughter knows I am watching what I eat and exercising to lose a few lbs. I tell her I am not exercising and dieting to get skinnier. I am changing my life style to be a healthier, happier, livelier mom for her and wife to her dad. I jsut want to be the best person I can be.
Hope this helps a little bit!!!!

little ones really do notice things especially little girls. the thing is that children don't learn it just from home but from other factors as well. such as they're friends, teachers, and tv.

u child may go 2 school or daycare & the teachers talk abt losin weight. they see somethin on tv in passin abt ppl wantin 2 lose weight from the commercials that r shown. they're friends may talk abt it b/c they're parents may mention it....

:flowerforyou:

Having two overweight children myself I don't think it is ever too early to start talking about nutrition and exercise. I would simply tell her while she is too young to worry about whether her belly is too big or not talk to her about eating the right foods and treats in moderation. If she starts enjoying healthy foods at a young age maybe she won't struggle as an adult and it will be easier for her.

Bad habits are harder to break as they get older and especially once they are old enough to start cooking for themselves. You have less control over what they eat then.

Good luck!

I have the opposite problem with my THREE year old already. She is really skinny for her age & she notices when people say "well isn't she just the cutest little thing" or "she's so tiny, how cute!" and picks up on the "little" and "tiny." She isn't that short for her age but she only weighs 27 lbs. Doctors say she is still at a healthy weight but she does not want to be little; she just does not like sweets, candy, etc (wish I was like that!!!). She gets very upset when people call her "little" or "skinny minnie" or something. She asks me what she can eat to get big and strong and I try to tell her that she is perfect at her size and she is the most beautiful girl in the world, but she still gets upset if someone points out her weight.

I can't believe it either...how do they notice these things so young? I think parents just have to keep emphasizing healthy foods and not let our kids see us "dieting," only let them see us eating healthy foods, and lots of them! I think pointing out all the other little girls who are her size and making comments that they all look so cute, and their bellies aren't big, and they are the same size as her might help? And just teaching her to feel when her belly is full; even some kids meals these days are so huge and she can learn about eating in moderation. That last lesson really depends on your child though; she may or may not be able to understand eating restaurant meals in moderation (healthy version) vs. thinking that eating very little food leads to being skinny (unhealthy version). Emphasize health above all and hopefully she will just be a very healthy little girl!

I would keep it really low key on the idea of appearance, and focus on health and on being a great person. Compliment good food choices and model good food choices and exercise, but more importantly, compliment other good behaviors such as kindness and generosity. When you speak about others, point out great character traits and talk about your choices in how you respond to people. That shows her that who we are is MUCH more than our physiques. Keeping our bodies healthy is very important. Keeping our relationships healthy is just as important. Nutrition and exercise are great things to talk about and work on together. Worrying about body shape is something a five year old just doesn't need.

Don't even think about blaming yourself - they pick up on everything!!!! Kids are incredibly perceptive and they are listening in their sleep and while they are running 90 mph and screaming like banshees, themselves! I don't know how they do it!!

I have a 7 year old daughter who asked the same thing a few weeks ago. I told her that god gives people bodies in all shapes and sizes, and hers is special because it is hers. After that I started to incorporate her in some of my exercise routines that she would find fun like Dancing, and some running. She showed interest in the kinds of stuff I was eating because it is healthy for you, and she loves it now. She likes the thought of the stuff she is putting into her body is helping her be healthy, and keeping her away from the Dr's office.