Overweight Kids & Taunts
By Joanne Eglash
Reprinted from eDiets
Psychologists have discovered that children, like most adults, respond significantly more to positive suggestions and concepts than negative. Help your child feel empowered by offering positive choices whenever possible. For example, rather than setting up a situation where the overweight child in the family feels punished with food that is different (such as an apple versus cookies and ice cream!), plan a meal that is healthy for every member of the family.
You might want to include your overweight child in the menu preparation, for example, asking him or her to help prepare a sugar-free, low-fat dessert for the family. Then make sure to follow up by praising that child for helping. And regardless of what happens, don't use food as a reward (or punishment). If your child comes to you crying because someone remarked unkindly about his or her weight or size, use words, not food, to comfort. And perhaps offer a special treat in the form of doing something together, such as going for a walk to the park or riding bikes together.
To deal with children in a class or on the playground who are teasing your child, make an appointment to follow up in a private meeting with a teacher or another school official. Stay calm and ask for their input and help. Many schools have programs set up in which professionals can meet with the class and discuss how to handle bullies, and those sessions have positive impacts on both the victims and bullies.
In addition, help your child make new friends by encouraging him or her to invite classmates to your home for after-school play. You may also consider role-playing the situation with your child, helping him or her practice how to respond with humor rather than tears or how to walk away calmly rather than run away.
Above all, make it clear to your child that you love them unconditionally. Your love and support will help your child's self-esteem. Create positive experiences for which you can praise your child, from taking an exercise class together (something fun: for example, your 9-year-old daughter might love taking a mom and daughter tap-dance class with you!) to cooking a healthy Sunday brunch for the whole family.