Reply to DC gained 5+ lbs last week at sleep away camp

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]i'd take some advice from posters who've helped an overweight/obese child with big appetite overcome his/her food choices and weight problems.

btw i don't "expect" my 10-yo to make good choices - i want him to and work with him on that accordingly, and [b]when he let me down[/b] i get frustrated. it's called parenting.[/quote]

Please don't think "he let you down" or even that he let himself down.  That's too much pressure.
It is frustrating when we struggle to help our kids.  Food is such a challenge for some people.  My DH can eat anything it seems and remain thin.  I on the other hand gain weight easily.    I was skinny until 7th grade.  My parents did not handle it well and it became a horrible battle that overshadowed our relationship.  I am now able to maintain a healthy weight but it took me into my thirties to get there.  A good therapist was key for me - so often it's not really about the food.

I have 2 daughters - one, 15yo, takes after DH - the other after me.  She's 13 and slightly overweight and has been for at least a couple years.  We do not make an issue of it - I don't discuss my own weight (or others) with my girls nor do I bring up their weights.  I am certainly privately concerned about DD2's weight but I am much more concerned about setting her up with a lifetime of food issues.  I've discussed it privately with her ped who is fine with taking a very low key approach.

Although she is overweight she is not gaining disproportionate to height (based on her yearly physical - I don't weigh the girls at home) and I'm pleased with that.  We don't really make a big deal about food in our house which helps me but I actually put a lot of thought into the food I buy and the meals we prepare.  Breakfast is typically cereal with 1% milk with fruit.  I don't buy sugar cereal except for vacation.  We all take "bagged" lunches - typically a some combo of: a smallish sandwich or sometimes wrap, cut veggies sometimes with dip,  sometimes string cheese, sometimes greek yogurt, and generally a small serving of a salty crunchy snack (i.e. chips, popcorn, nuts, pretzels or such), fruit, and some small sweet plus water bottle.  The girls help me make the lunches assembly style - we don't do bento style but do have tons of small containers.

I also keep lots of food options on hand and do advance prep to make sure various options are equally easy to grap.  (Wash fruit and veggies when purchased.  Keep sliced veggies in fridge.  Choose things that make good finger food - grape tomatoes, grapes, cuties, carrot "chips", homemade cinnamon apple chips.  I keep dips on hand - hummus, sunbutter, peanut butter, salsa, sourcream based dips, yogurt, even Ready-Whip for berries.  Our pantry also generally has a couple types of chips, various nuts (I like to get in shell - same for sunflower seeds.  We also make homemade granola and cookies - we all love oatmeal, raisin, chocolate chip cookies (sometimes with nuts) - I actually hate raisins but they keep me from doing more then nibbling on one (cookies are a weakness of mine.

We also only eat in the kitchen, dining room or patio which the exception of at parties and popcorn for family movie night.  We don't eat out of containers - we try to always make a plate/bowl.  Also we eat meals at predictable times and I ask that all refrain from snacking within an hour of the meal.  We have family dinner everynight and generally a family breakfast on Sunday.  At family meals we only make one meal being sure to include at least one thing that each person really likes but insist that you have a bite of everything (at least one "no thank you" bite.)  There is more I'm sure but these are just some of what works for us.  Also, family walks and hikes having a dog helps - and bicycling and swimming and gymnastics/parkour/climbing.  And lots of water.  (And ice cream!)

Everything in moderation and keep it fun.  Good luck.

I [/quote]

Thank you PP. I read every single word of your post. I know I will read them a few times more.

- OP[/quote]

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