From William, Child's Age 15 - 05/23/02 - IP#: 207.172.97.xxx  Click here to reply  
Thank you Sue.
I did try your sugjestions, but I didn't make it over the first hurdle.
First I talked to Tom about it. He says he knows he's overweight but I got the typical, "whatever". Strike One.
Next I talked to William Jr. He said he doesn't care if he weighs more than me. He should be counted as what is on the inside, not the outside, and if I don't like what he looks like, well tough. Strike Two
Finally, I talked to Mark. He said that he is not intrested in girls, but food. He likes him self and he isn't worried. And you know what really ticked me off, right after I talked about diet and exercise, he just got up, walked to the fridge and gulfed down a pint of ice cream.
I am really slamming down the keys, because I am furious, I dont want to be too hard on them, but what should I do? P.S. I am not overweight.
Reply from Sue, Child's Age 13 - 05/24/02  - IP#: 62.64.213.xxx
You have to keep trying and trying. Let them know how very serious you are and nag them to death about it. Realistically, no kid in their situation is going to say: Okay dad, you are right. It is going to take a lot of time and perseverance. It is probably harder in your situation because there are three of them who are overweight so they can sort of support each other in their current attitude.
You say he just wolfed down some ice cream in response. Well, stop buying the ice cream or just buy lower fat ice cream. If the food is there and available then of course they are going to eat it. I know they can get stuff outside the home but it is just too tempting if they know the food is in the cupboard. Get some facts and figures and try and scare them - tough love. Clear your cupboards of fattening stuff, maybe not overnight but slowly introduce lower fat foods. Like I said, it will take time but you have to start somewhere.
This is a very serious issue so I do think you have to start being harder on them. They haven't gotten this way overnight so it won't be solved overnight. Let them know you are deadly serious and won't let it drop if they resist. Maybe just discuss with them the foods that they absolutely must still eat and come up with some compromises. I do wish you luck but you really mustn't give up on this. I know it is easy for someone else to say but if you let it go then maybe they will have health problems when they get older and imagine how terrible you will feel then. You will feel it is your fault because you weren't tougher on them. Maybe your boys are naturally big boned and they would never be very slim anyway but there is a difference between being overweight, which most people are, and obese. I think it is the obesity that worries you. Like I said, set a realistic target. Speak to a dietician about this if you can or a doctor but just don't give up on them.