For those that don't know the story: my daughters are both overweight. The youngest one is officially obese. My gorgeous, gorgeous babies deserve to have a chance to learn to love their natural bodies and to love and care for themselves. I try to encourage them to eat right (nothing comes in my house that I categorically cannot have so most of what they eat isn't bad) and to move their bodies. Sometimes it's a challenge and I've been at a loss for what to do. I know THEY aren't the only ones who need to change. I need to change too!

Anyway, I have been researching how to help and what resources are available (Michelle Obama's stuff, etc.) and I came across this program. I emailed for more info. Seems almost like a Weigh****chers for kids but with HEAVY emphasis on self-acceptance (not every kid was built to be thin), moderated eating (no diets for kids!), physical activities for the whole family and also coping mechanisms and good decision making. I'll report back when I get more info from them but thought some of you might also benefit.

http://www.childobesity.com/CO_FamSDProgram.html

Thank you, i'm going to look into this! My daughter is about 5 lbs overweight (doctor isn't worried, but I am). I want so bad for her to NOT have to go through what I went through, and i KNOW that since she's only 6, any issues she may have are really mine and my husbands fault. yet I don't want to give her anxiety or esteem issues.

Being a parent is hard lol

Not to minimize your fears, but 5 lbs. overweight...I would hold off on interventions just yet. Depending on her age, that could create a mind thing about incremental weight gain that you might not want.

I can share that my 10 year old is about 70 lbs. overweight. That, in my estimation, requires vigilant intervention.

But as always you are her mom! So what do I know??? You do what you know is best!

Fair enough. I still want to find a way to instill healthy lifestyle habits now so it's just a part of her life, as opposed to a struggle later on. But I also dont' want to be displacing my fears onto her either.

 I am willing to bet that you both are doing a wonderful job with your kids...being the best role models and not bringing crap into the house is a great idea..and i think they say with kids they need at least an hour of activity a day.   Now me...i was a skinny kid until i was about 8.  Then i had my tonsils out..felt better and starting putting on the weight..lots of other issues with abuse going on too..not within my family btw..  I blossomed up and was kind of chunky..not sure how much because i don't remember weighing myself at that point and nothing was said or done about it.  But i bet i was 40 lbs overweight or so...But wouldn't you know i started with puberty and i shot up and got thin..i was about 124 all through school and even after my first born...so into my 20's....  So i would keep the puberty thing in mind too.  Keep the junk out, keep the lo fat/sugar free/fat free as much as possible and keep the activity level up.  I bet around 13 or so you will see a change...

Thanks for the kind words. I do appreciate them.

While I agree with you that healthy habits are important, my 10 year old is nearly 200 lbs. So I really do need to figure out why that is. I don't want to give her a "mind thing" about it but it scares the holy crap out of me. Programs like this seem appealing because it teaches you how to approach the subject as what it really is - a health issue. NOT a statement on her worthiness as a person, a young woman or anything else. Just a health issue. And learning how to lead a healthy life.

Like the above poster, I don't want to rule in fear but I also don't want to stick my head in the sand either.

The worst part about it is, irrational as it seems, I feel like I somehow gave my child a disease and it makes me feel awful sometimes.

I'm bookmarking this in my brain. My daughter is only 5 months old, but I'm terrified of her going through what I went through. My husband has been slightly overweight before (now not so much, in the army. in great physical shape and weight), and obviously, I was obese. I pray that since we both now live a very healthy lifestyle and our daughter will have never know either of us as anything other than the healthy adults we are now, we can set an example to set her up for lifelong success.

Childhood obesity just absolutely breaks my heart because I was once that child.

I know how you feel. My daughter is 16 years old, 5'5" and 268 pounds. I too am worried about her and we are trying to help her lose weight also and to be healthy. Appreciate the link. Keep us informed please.

 Nik - thank you so much for this.  I think it touches a big nerve - our children are our most precious precious precious loves...   and isn't it sad to think that we can sometimes hurt those we love even when trying not too?  They don't come with a user guide.

It sounds to me like you are on the right track for sure.  I would surely have benefitted if my parents took a family approach to health, rather than pointing fingers at food and then at me and then at food and then at me.

My children are grown - but I also had a dreadful time with very strong feelings of rejection I had when my daughter started to put on weight.  That told me right there just how deeply I was in rejection of myself.  Feelings are not rational.  I know that my daughter is struggling - but she is 30 and I've been able to detach enough to allow her ownership of her issues.   If I had known how to reach out for help like you are now - I maybe could have done a much better job - and maybe this would not be an issue for her.  

I think you are definitely right to be conscious of the food part of the equation for your daughters.... that means you are not in denial!  Good for you.  8)  Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for posting Nik---I think this is something all of us fear---being on the other end, we want the best for our children and know what life as an obese person can mean, let alone an obese teen. I was her size at 10 years old.

I know you are a wonderful momma, and I will pray that this program will be just what you need.

Hugs,
Shelly