From Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 03/07/07 - IP#: 68.38.244.xxx  Click here to reply  
I am having a bit of a problem. My daughter has been differn't lately. She dropped out of all her sports. Since she has dropped out she has gained 20 pounds since. I brought her to the doctor to check her height and weight and she is 5 foot 3 inches and 181 pounds. We went to the beach last week and she insisted on wearing a bikini and that's when it got worse, i took pictures of her in her bikini and showed her. She told me she likes being overweight. This week i demanded her to do 10 push ups and 20 situps in front of me and she barely made it through situps and she fell during pushups. I dont her to go through an unhealthy life as a teen. So i am going to keep buying her smaller sizes than she is to determine her to fit into those pants. am i being harsh or is this okay?
Reply from Alexandra, Child's Age 14 - 06/29/07  - IP#: 71.125.95.xxx
Hi that really is not a healthy idea. If you buy her clothes too small you will be telling her that those small clthes are right and being bigger like she is is wrong. It may not be healthy but how embarrassing for her. She most likely wants to be better and you are just making it worse. Also forcing exercise she can't do on her will not encourage more exercise it qwill encourage less because she is probably embarrasseed that her mother thinks she is fat and is pushing her too hard!

 
Reply from Meghan, Child's Age 4 - 04/21/07  - IP#: 72.66.52.xxx
Doing those things is the best way to alienate your child and you are setting the stones for almost irreversable damage in your relationship and her future. I know, my mom used to do those things and I have JUST STARTED to forgive her. I am 23 years old and didn't speak to my mom for 5 years becuase she would judge everything I put in my mouth, make snide comments about my weight and buy clothes that were too small. It is not a motivation factor, all it does is make a child feel like they are unworthy of your love if they don't fit into those clothes. I know what you are doing is out of love and it hurts you to see your child hurting like that, but there are much more positive ways to help. Take walks together, go on a diet together, make it something special between the two of you. Send her to camp for the summer where she can learn fitness and nutrition. My mom finally let up on me and sent me to summer camp. Camp Kingsmont. check it out it's a really great place.

 
Reply from Abby, Child's Age 13 - 03/23/07  - IP#: 68.30.134.xxx
thats the same thing my mom did to me and i ended up gaining more weight so she would buy me bigger sizes

 
Reply from joe, Child's Age 14 - 03/11/07  - IP#: 66.91.90.xxx
you sound like a drill instructor. unfortunately, your daughter isn't a marine recruit. think back to when you were 13, and consider what would have worked with you back then. would you automatically do something because your mom FORCED you to?

 
Reply from Kaylee, Child's Age 14 - 03/10/07  - IP#: 69.19.14.xxx
bad idea! If you force her she will work anginst you and gain the weight. Let her be herself even if it hurts you. She will get through it.