6 year old called me fat - is this normal?

[Anonymous]

I've been a nanny for a 5+ years. I recently had two abdominal surgeries back to back. I was on bed rest and couldn't resume activitiy for a month each. So with those 3 or so months, I did gain around 25lbs. I am short so it doesn't look well on me.

Anyway, I was babysitting a new charge last night. As soon as I walked in and greeted the boy he says " I didn't know you look like that". I didn't think much od it until later in the evening, he was talking about the arrival of his baby sister( moms 7m prego) and he tells

him " where is your son?"

me: " I dont have a son"

him: Then why do you have a big belly. You are fat. Looks like you swallowed a baby."

Later I'm asking him if he is having fun. He tells me he had 2 sitters before and then says again " I didn't think you would look like that".

Am I being foolish? I feel like maybe it was taught behavior as the dad gave me a dirty look as soon as he saw me. Which is crazy because I have a picture on my profile. I was thinking maybe he said the comment because he was expecting his old sitter? The parent's said he was excited and talked about me coming almost the entire day.

What do you think? Do you think this was taught behavior or maybe a misunderstanding?

p.s. He also kept calling me " bro" and " dude" the entire night lol. I never had a charge say comments of this sort so I was taken back.

[Anonymous]

His parents are probably fat prejudice (like much of DCUM) and he hears them talking. It's normal for a 5 year old to notice different body types, but not to harp on it and make continual rude comments.

[Anonymous]

That is what I thought. I'm not even that overweight. 5'2 and about 160. I just got cleared to start with my workout routine again!

[Anonymous]

I'd have taken the opportunity to teach/remind the kid that we value people's personalities over their looks, and that unless you actually see a baby coming out of a woman's body you do not ask if she is pregnant.

[Anonymous]

He's hearing it and he wants attention. Don't give him any attention for it -- good or bad.

[Anonymous]

That's sad. I used to be 5'7 and 275 pounds and my charge told me 'you look pretty in your bathing suit'. When I lose 125 pounds she said she missed my chubby cheeks.

[Anonymous]

*lost

[Anonymous]

I find that kids make comments based on what they hear from family and friends. I also got comments and laughs from my charges about my hair, sometimes my clothes and I used to get offended when I started with them but I just let it roll or poke fun at myself too. For my charges they live in a neighborhood where its not as diverse as the city. (NY). So sometimes they just don't know any better.

[Anonymous]

As the substitute parents/teachers of some of these children, it's our responsibility to let them know how to behave oppropriately. Unfortunately, few people take the time to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is what I thought. I'm not even that overweight. 5'2 and about 160. I just got cleared to start with my workout routine again!

5'2 weighing 160 is def getting on the heavy, heavy side.

[Anonymous]

If the dad gave you a look as soon as he saw you then perhaps your profile pic looks much different then how you look in real life? Is it a full body picture or just the top half? That would explain it.

The kid obviously has ignorant parents if the dads giving you weird looks, so that explains why the kid has such a rotten attitude towards weight. (or maybe the dad didn't give you any looks and your just paranoid?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the dad gave you a look as soon as he saw you then perhaps your profile pic looks much different then how you look in real life? Is it a full body picture or just the top half? That would explain it.

The kid obviously has ignorant parents if the dads giving you weird looks, so that explains why the kid has such a rotten attitude towards weight. (or maybe the dad didn't give you any looks and your just paranoid?)

Creep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is what I thought. I'm not even that overweight. 5'2 and about 160. I just got cleared to start with my workout routine again!

5'2 weighing 160 is def getting on the heavy, heavy side.

Really? Grow the hell up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is what I thought. I'm not even that overweight. 5'2 and about 160. I just got cleared to start with my workout routine again!

5'2 weighing 160 is def getting on the heavy, heavy side.

Really? Grow the hell up.

I agree that comment wasn't necessary but FYI at 5'2 and 160lbs your BMI is at the top of the overweight range, almost into the obese range. I'm not trying to make you feel bad, it sucks that you had to have surgery and were on bed rest. I'm not blaming you in any way for the weight gain and I'm sure now that you can exercise you'll lose it but there are too many obese people (not you) who delude themselves by telling themselves they aren't really that overweight and they are shortening their lifespan while they tell themselves that. Again, I'm not saying this is you at all and frankly I think the PP quoted above was unnecessary but I don't like perpetuating the myth that a BMI almost in the obese range is ok.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I now my weight isn't healthy. I've always been healthy and I'm not deluding myself to think my weight is ok. I just got cleared for workout 2 weeks ago so I'm in the gym 4-5 days a week and eating very healthy.

I guess it's understandable for the child to be curious. I found out the comment he made about me not being what he thought, was due to the fact he thought his former babysitter was the one going to be there. He was just surprised when it wasn't her there.

Oh and I do have a full body pic. It isn't of me updated because I don't plan on staying this weight nor did I believe it was a big deal. We still ran around and played like anyone else would. I think I overreacted initially.