Mom charged with neglect

[Heretik]

If I had more money to spend on it... salads are really easy to make

[Lethalgirl]

That story is really sad!  I'll be the first to admit that I'm fat, but we try to eat healthy.  I think where I lack is the exercise and I know that.  But for this woman to let her son get that out of control is unacceptable!  There's no way that someone didn't know what was going on in that house...look how big that kid is!  You're going to tell me that he's passing PE in school?  I can't imagine how!   

[beatrix]

Oof. This one hits close to home. Poor kid.

I am the single mama of a big boy... big in that he has a tendency to get chubby, but also big by nature. Nearly 10 pounds at birth, and has been near or at 100% of all growth charts in terms of height, weight, etc, since the day he was born. He's not a fat kid, but has had a stocky, muscular build since day one, and has a tendency to get a belly in between growth spurts. At nearly 8, he is the height of an 11-year-old and the weight of a 12-year-old.

We didn't really start struggling with the weight issue until he was around five: that's the point where his weight started getting disproportionate to his height. Prior to that, my philosophy had always been to let him eat when he was hungry. I was never the mom that made him sit at the table until he cleared his plate; I figured more frequent snacks, with an emphasis on healthy ones, was the way to go, as most nutritionists will recommend smaller, more frequent meals. Unfortunately, when you're eating more, you are taking in more calories, even if they're healthier ones. Getting him to eat has never been a problem; getting him to stop often is. 

Last year he actually went over 100% on the weight chart, which is when we really started making some serious changes in terms of getting him to make healthier choices, making sure he gets plenty of exercise, etc. His stepmother owns a health club and so is extremely health conscious, and while I think it's a good thing for children to learn about exercise, nutrition, and what they're putting into their bodies, it can be taken too far.

At seven, he is subjected to regular weigh-ins at his dad's house. Keep in mind, this child is not obese: he's a very brawny, muscular kid, who tends to get a pot-belly in between growth spurts. Over the last year, I've heard him make frequent remarks that he needs to "diet" to keep his weight down. I try to counteract this by emphasizing that this is not about losing weight, it's about being healthier, and that kids his age should not be thinking about weight loss. But it's difficult to overcome some of the concepts that are being drilled into him when he's not with me.

A couple of months ago, he and I were lolling around on a weekend morning, watching TV. A commercial for one of those weight-loss meds came on, and he said, "Mom! We should get some of that for you and me!". It about broke my heart.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling... it's just that this story struck a very personal chord with me. I think it's not only tragic for the child in this case, but also for the mother who let it get so out of control that she lost her son. While I can't relate to letting it get that far, I can relate to the plight of a single mom who spends too much time away from her kid working in an effort to provide for him, who is too short on time or too exhausted (or both) to always be able to put together a nutritious, homemade meal. Clearly I relate all too well.

Heartbreaking all the way around.

[Lethalgirl]

Oof. This one hits close to home. Poor kid.

I am the single mama of a big boy... big in that he has a tendency to get chubby, but also big by nature. Nearly 10 pounds at birth, and has been near or at 100% of all growth charts in terms of height, weight, etc, since the day he was born. He's not a fat kid, but has had a stocky, muscular build since day one, and has a tendency to get a belly in between growth spurts. At nearly 8, he is the height of an 11-year-old and the weight of a 12-year-old.

We didn't really start struggling with the weight issue until he was around five: that's the point where his weight started getting disproportionate to his height. Prior to that, my philosophy had always been to let him eat when he was hungry. I was never the mom that made him sit at the table until he cleared his plate; I figured more frequent snacks, with an emphasis on healthy ones, was the way to go, as most nutritionists will recommend smaller, more frequent meals. Unfortunately, when you're eating more, you are taking in more calories, even if they're healthier ones. Getting him to eat has never been a problem; getting him to stop often is. 

Last year he actually went over 100% on the weight chart, which is when we really started making some serious changes in terms of getting him to make healthier choices, making sure he gets plenty of exercise, etc. His stepmother owns a health club and so is extremely health conscious, and while I think it's a good thing for children to learn about exercise, nutrition, and what they're putting into their bodies, it can be taken too far.

At seven, he is subjected to regular weigh-ins at his dad's house. Keep in mind, this child is not obese: he's a very brawny, muscular kid, who tends to get a pot-belly in between growth spurts. Over the last year, I've heard him make frequent remarks that he needs to "diet" to keep his weight down. I try to counteract this by emphasizing that this is not about losing weight, it's about being healthier, and that kids his age should not be thinking about weight loss. But it's difficult to overcome some of the concepts that are being drilled into him when he's not with me.

A couple of months ago, he and I were lolling around on a weekend morning, watching TV. A commercial for one of those weight-loss meds came on, and he said, "Mom! We should get some of that for you and me!". It about broke my heart.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling... it's just that this story struck a very personal chord with me. I think it's not only tragic for the child in this case, but also for the mother who let it get so out of control that she lost her son. While I can't relate to letting it get that far, I can relate to the plight of a single mom who spends too much time away from her kid working in an effort to provide for him, who is too short on time or too exhausted (or both) to always be able to put together a nutritious, homemade meal. Clearly I relate all too well.

Heartbreaking all the way around.

I swear we have the same kids!  My son was 8lbs 2oz and 21.5 inches long.  He's been in the 100th or over percentage for height and weight since he was born.  Now he's 6 and is the size of a 12 year old.  In fact he weighs within pounds of our 13 yr old.  He's really stocky and built like a brick shithouse.  I've talked to the doctor about his health and as long as his height keeps up with his weight, he's okay.  When the balance starts to get out of hand I'm going to have to take action. 

My hubby and I are both overweight and we've made a real effort to cook healthier for all of us.  We have cut our fat consumption and added more fresh fruits and veggies.