I’m feeling awful. I just got back from the doctor with my 11 yr odl daugheer, and they told me she’s overweight. They said we need to do something but now I feel paralyzed. I let her eat junk food chips, candy, fast food whenever she wanted, and now I feel like it’s all my fault. I’ve always believed in body positivity and don’t want her growing up with the same trauma I have around food. But I know this is about her health and it’s something I can’t ignore. I’m scared that if I push too hard, I’ll ruin her self-esteem. How do I help her without making things worse?
You’re not alone in feeling this way, Claudia. It’s such a delicate balance between promoting health and avoiding food shame. I totally understand the guilt. My daughter also struggled with her weight and I felt like I had failed her. Be kind to yourself, you’re doing your best. 