My 5yr old thinks..?

Question

SHe is 5 and has a twin. She is a little biger then her twin. She thinks she is fat. I dont know if some kid at her school caller her fat or anything, but she keeps puting herself down. She will not eat the junk food her sisters are eating, even though i no it is not good, i dont want her to get upset about food. WHat should i do? I asked her if anyone called her fat and she keeps telling me no and to leave her alone. I am just worried about her. WHat should i do?

Answer 1

I just went through this with my 6 year old daughter. She wouldn't tell me why she felt that way all of a sudden. We sat down and had a heart to heart. I told her that a person's weight was not important. BUT it was really challenging telling her that weight is not important without implying that she is fat (which she is NOT) I told her why it is important to eat healthy. After that I left it alone and quietly observed her to be sure she was eating healthy. I think it is best to address it and then leave it alone otherwise she may stop eating for attention. My daughter got over this in about 3 weeks.

Answer 2

at 5 for her to say this then something has happened. Often they look to the mother to how they feel. Do you call yourself fat? It often happens that is a mother puts herself down then the child will. Also talk to the teacher to see if she has seen anything happen. Kids can start eating disorder at 6. You need to really take note of what is happening. Is she on the larger side? This you don't say. Maybe focus on healthy eating and teaching her about the occassional foods such as junk food and that they are okay on occassions as long as the diet is healthy other times. It is possible they have done the food pyramid at school and she has taken it too literally. Chat to the teacher to see what they have covered lately

Answer 3

Do you or someone else close to her constantly judge themselves and call themselves fat? She learns by seeing others.

Answer 4

Do you or someone else close to her constantly judge themselves and call themselves fat? She learns by seeing others. So someone probably didn't call her fat. But it sounds like she is learning this from someone close to her.

Answer 5

i dont know sit her down and tell her she is very beautiful and she is NOT fat and if someone said that she needs to tell you because it is important... and hopefully she will talk... it is normal though i am 13 5foot and 120lbs and i alwasy put myself down and say that i am fat...