Bad Parents.....

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13

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  • pinn44
    pinn44 Posts: 68
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    That's so sad. We as parents need to get over ourselves and put the children 1st. He lived with you and I'm sure you loved him by being his step mom so why shouldn't you care about his well being. I didn't have to worry about weight until I started having babies in my adult life. But when my daugher started to be overweight I did what I had to do to keep her healthy. I took her to the doctor, got her food plans and tried to get her to exercise. If you ask her now she says I traumitized her and made her have problems with her self image. I told her to get over herself because as a parent it was my responsibility to make sure she was the healthiest and best person she could be.

    I'm not sure where all this child abuse talk came from but until you know the entire situation I'd save judgement.

    holy fvck......
    Just... wow. :noway:

    I am guessing you have never had to deal with body dysmorphia?? There is no "getting over yourself"

    AGAIN... I need to back out of here... its all downhill.

    This is why I don't usually participate in forums because people jump to conclusions too quickly. I would never have told my 13 yr. of child to get over herself. The girl is 20 now and this is when we had that conversation.
    STILL, I hate my mom to this day for harping on me about my weight as a kid. I'm about 25 now and when she brings that up, or mentions how chubby I was as a pre-teen/teen, I STILL hate her for it. It did cause me terrible self confidence issues that I still struggle with today. If she were to tell me to 'get over it' now, I would probably snap.
    Guess, that's the differences between people. She didn't snap she agreed to disagree. No child of mine will ever make me feel bad about trying to do the RIGHT thing. I didn't harp nor criticize I tried to help and to that I feel I did the right thing. Your situation has nothing to do with me. HATE is a strong word especially for your mother. Guess you'll learn more as you grow up and become a parent yourself.....
  • simple82
    simple82 Posts: 23 Member
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    There's something wrong with parents who just give everything to their child without any supervision!
  • sjmgde
    sjmgde Posts: 381 Member
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    The only thing I will suggest is to contact child services, this is a form of abuse, and should not be left in their care.

    this is going to start *kitten* but whatver...

    I do NOT agree with kids being taken away from parents because of the weight/feeding issue.

    EDUCATE the kids and parents, monitor them.. give them tools and resources to use. Give them access to cooking classes etc to make healthier meals for the family. Taking the child is putting a band-aid over a gunshot wound.

    I agree with you. EDUCATE, EDUCATE. My ssiter was overweight growning up but my parets were great prets an i can only imnage what woul df happen if they took her away. Not the answer
  • darylinny
    darylinny Posts: 146
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    This could be all part of emotional eating... my sis has always done emotional eating - only got worse when my parents divorced... no matter how much my mom would try to control it she was like a ninja when it came to food...

    You have a valid concern - however, there isn't much that you can do. I really don't think that his parents don't care, perhaps they are just not educated enough to deal with the situation in a correct manner. We live in a society where all is treated with medication instead of trying to find the root of the problem...

    Agreed! Plus the reason behind the behavior won't change because the parent isn't present. Another angle would be to look at the parent's life style. If healthy eating, activity and movement aren't done by the parents, then they won't be done by the child.
  • lyndyb88
    lyndyb88 Posts: 123 Member
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    all of the people advocating removing the child from his parent's home don't make a lot of sense to me. I don't find it abusive at all. I am heavy and have been heavy since I was a child...but this is in no way my mother's fault. I snuck food....I used my lunch money to buy junk...I chose not to eat the healthy food that she bought. Therefore my weight gain was entirely on me. This could be a similar situation. I don't think people should pass judgement on others until they know the full story...and sometimes not even then...
  • pinn44
    pinn44 Posts: 68
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    all of the people advocating removing the child from his parent's home don't make a lot of sense to me. I don't find it abusive at all. I am heavy and have been heavy since I was a child...but this is in no way my mother's fault. I snuck food....I used my lunch money to buy junk...I chose not to eat the healthy food that she bought. Therefore my weight gain was entirely on me. This could be a similar situation. I don't think people should pass judgement on others until they know the full story...and sometimes not even then...
    Thank you!
  • FaugHorn
    FaugHorn Posts: 1,060 Member
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    Just a little vent. Soon to be ex husband's son moved back in with his mom about 10 months ago. He left us at 75lbs and he is 11 yrs old. Right now he is 150 lbs and just got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I have been told that he is none of my business and I cant have an opinion so I thought I would vent here. Who lets their kid get to that point. I know my mom always forced diets on me and I hated it, but there has to be a time where you step back and realize you are hurting your kids by not stepping in.

    I think you chose the right place to vent (disregarding all the people who responded with unasked for advice or judgemental posts). If any group of people knows the value of healthy eating, healthy information, and the good that having a loving person in a child's life can be it's this group (at least ones who may not have posted in here). It does suck that you can't do anything to help the kid and you should feel free to vent. Hopefully his father/mother gets their eyes opened to the situation and takes the kid to the doctor to determine if there are any other underlying issues to his weight gain.
  • ebaywidow
    ebaywidow Posts: 30
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    (The only thing I will suggest is to contact child services, this is a form of abuse, and should not be left in their care.)
    First of all, child protective services is Federally Mandated to keep families together. Second, there could be a possible medical reason for the weight gain such as discontinuation of stimulants or depressive symptoms. If the child was diagnosised with Type II diabetes then the family must follow a medical regime to support the child, if family is noncompliant with that THEN could be considered a form of medical neglect but again CPS will work with the family to keep them together. Either way the child's needs will be met through the family or the state. So no big worry...move on
  • nray3119
    nray3119 Posts: 100 Member
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    Part of the reason we are getting the divorce is becasue of his son. I was never allowed to say anything even if it was my house he was destroying or my kids he was beating up.
    There are a lot of mental issues with this child and I have been pushing both parents to get him serious mental help, but they say he is fine. Hopefully now they will see he is not ok. I think if he can talk to someone about his issues he would be happer and maybe get out and play.
    According to my soon to be ex, the house is full of junk food and pasta is a huge part of every meal if not the actual meal. I think they all need a dietitions help.
    I am not a counseler and I definatly do not make the best diet help, but I keep junk food (if there is any in the house) up high and we only eat it for treats.
  • Kristy713ckm
    Kristy713ckm Posts: 54 Member
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    Wow. I ran across this because a MFP friend posted thoughts in this. And I'm really surpised at the dramatic responses. My son is 11 1/2 years old, five foot tall, and weighs 155 pounds. I suggested he join a week after me (December 2011), because he is "heavy". He didn't like it. So he didn't keep up. Just yesterday, my husband and I decided to log him back on just to help him see what a serving is, and how calories add up. We're also exploring SparktTeens.com.

    My worst fear as an overweight adult, who's been overweight since kindergarten, was that my child/children would suffer weight issues. To the best of my ability, I've always encouraged him to eat healthy, exercise thru regular good life activity, and we joined a gym as a FAMILY last year and go at least once a week. It's sad if parents do not "see" that their child is suffering weight issues, and sad if they don't see mental stress/mental issues. But I wouldn't measure "removing the child" as such a "quick response answer". It's a sad fact that our "readily available food", our generally sedentary life-styles, and everything else in our daily lives are contributing to an epidimic of obesity for adults and children. But negative responses and lack of compassion surely isn't the answer.

    Most of the people on MFP have weight issues. If losing weight were easy, we'd all been skinny! Weight issues, especially in children, are probably linked to some level of depression or anxiety. And pointing out the "weight issue" in a negative manner further pushes the child into finding comfort in food. I just wanted to share ...
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
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    Thats horrible! My step father in law's daughter is 12 and 180 lbs. He's big into fitness and it embarrasses him I think. Because hes always asking her hows her diet going and all that and she just rolls her eyes. Her mother is large too so I guess theres no example set. Why is it none of your business? Are you not allowed to care for your stepson? I would be super pissed if my husband told me his son was none of my business cause I love him too. If I were you I would just try to set a good example for him when hes with you.

    It's her "soon to be ex-husband''s son" with another woman.
    I'll be damned if my husband's ex tried to tell me what to feed MY kids and then came online talking about me? No thanks.

    How mature.
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
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    That's so sad. We as parents need to get over ourselves and put the children 1st. He lived with you and I'm sure you loved him by being his step mom so why shouldn't you care about his well being. I didn't have to worry about weight until I started having babies in my adult life. But when my daugher started to be overweight I did what I had to do to keep her healthy. I took her to the doctor, got her food plans and tried to get her to exercise. If you ask her now she says I traumitized her and made her have problems with her self image. I told her to get over herself because as a parent it was my responsibility to make sure she was the healthiest and best person she could be.

    I'm not sure where all this child abuse talk came from but until you know the entire situation I'd save judgement.

    holy fvck......
    Just... wow. :noway:

    I am guessing you have never had to deal with body dysmorphia?? There is no "getting over yourself"

    AGAIN... I need to back out of here... its all downhill.

    This is why I don't usually participate in forums because people jump to conclusions too quickly. I would never have told my 13 yr. of child to get over herself. The girl is 20 now and this is when we had that conversation.

    It doesn't matter whether you're 13 or 20, being told to 'get over it' when you disclose that said person has traumatized you is FURTHER traumatizing. Do you not understand that?
  • JStarnes
    JStarnes Posts: 5,576 Member
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    I don't have any friends whose kids are a "normal" weight. They are all overweight - bad, my boys look like there is something wrong with them they're so skinny next to their friends, especially in school.

    Honestly though, sometimes I have to wonder, if my kids didn't have the stupid high metabolism that they do, would they be overweight? I can feed my kids McDonalds 100 times a day and it wouldn't put a pound on them -- I was the same way when I was a kid.

    Just because a kid isn't overweight, doesn't mean their parents are doing any better job with their food than the heavier kids parents. I'm a perfect example, I feed my kids the same way my friends feed theirs...my kids are tiny and theirs are huge.
  • foodfight247
    foodfight247 Posts: 767 Member
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    The only thing I will suggest is to contact child services, this is a form of abuse, and should not be left in their care.

    this is going to start *kitten* but whatver...

    I do NOT agree with kids being taken away from parents because of the weight/feeding issue.

    EDUCATE the kids and parents, monitor them.. give them tools and resources to use. Give them access to cooking classes etc to make healthier meals for the family. Taking the child is putting a band-aid over a gunshot wound.

    I absolutely agree with you on this one. Children should not be taken away from their patents unless through complete and utter neglectful circumstances. I'm adopted and if my being overweight was the reason I was separated from my patents, then I would certainly have issues. Thankfully I'm not overweight - I was put into foster care because I was seriously neglected.

    OP. Try talk to both his parents if it's too concerning....otherwise as he's soon to be your ex, I would step back and leave it alone. At least they cannot blame you for intervening in something that perhaps his parents feel is their problem. I know It's not what u want to hear. Personally, if my own stepson had a health issue like that, I'd speak to his dad first, otherwise I'd try educate my stepson as best I could, on a one to one.
    Otherwise the WORST thing you could do is report this to the authorities at this moment in time.

    Good luck and I hope you could get through to your stepson, dependant on how well you get on with him.
    I feel sorry for all of you in this situation for various reasons.
  • jenniebean1680
    jenniebean1680 Posts: 351 Member
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    The only thing I will suggest is to contact child services, this is a form of abuse, and should not be left in their care.

    ^^THIS.
  • AmberJslimsAWAY
    AmberJslimsAWAY Posts: 2,468 Member
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    *pops popcorn*
  • bear_nakey
    bear_nakey Posts: 367 Member
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    Really, it isn't your business, but I can understand your concern. He was a part of your life, so of course, you care. That being said, sadly there is nothing you can about it. It's obvious there are far bigger issues here than food. Unfortunately, your the ex. At this point, there is more value in an opinion from a pile of dog-poo than from you (according to them). Sorry to say, but it's the truth. Just hope for the best and focus on you and yours.
  • JennW130
    JennW130 Posts: 460 Member
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    The only thing I will suggest is to contact child services, this is a form of abuse, and should not be left in their care.

    this is going to start *kitten* but whatver...

    I do NOT agree with kids being taken away from parents because of the weight/feeding issue.

    EDUCATE the kids and parents, monitor them.. give them tools and resources to use. Give them access to cooking classes etc to make healthier meals for the family. Taking the child is putting a band-aid over a gunshot wound.
    i agree with poprocks!
  • Princessbrene
    Princessbrene Posts: 112 Member
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    The only thing I will suggest is to contact child services, this is a form of abuse, and should not be left in their care.

    this is going to start *kitten* but whatver...

    I do NOT agree with kids being taken away from parents because of the weight/feeding issue.

    EDUCATE the kids and parents, monitor them.. give them tools and resources to use. Give them access to cooking classes etc to make healthier meals for the family. Taking the child is putting a band-aid over a gunshot wound.

    I could not agree with you more. Everybody's immediate answer is to remove the child from the home, but no one considers the psychological harm that does to the child. It is not as if he thinks he is being abused or mistreated.

    EXACTLY. I was a foster parent to 16 children and I have to say that the system often does a lot of damage to the kids and then plops them right back in the bad situation they came from. Whenever possible, it is best to work within a family than to tear apart a family. Also, at the point that it is obvious the child/children need to be removed, *most* of those children do not need to be sent back, and yet they are. Very sad. Very sad indeed.
  • catshark209
    catshark209 Posts: 1,133 Member
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    The only thing I will suggest is to contact child services, this is a form of abuse, and should not be left in their care.

    this is going to start *kitten* but whatver...

    I do NOT agree with kids being taken away from parents because of the weight/feeding issue.

    EDUCATE the kids and parents, monitor them.. give them tools and resources to use. Give them access to cooking classes etc to make healthier meals for the family. Taking the child is putting a band-aid over a gunshot wound.

    I'm going to agree with this, as this is really the parents....in some ethnic groups (including my own), being overweight is a sign of health and prosperity. This is why my very lean son is looked on with pity...and so am I. When there is a chubby or overweight child, everyone clucks at how "healthy" that child looks. Its a matter of being educated on proper nutrition and good nutritious healthy meals.