Food issues
I have a 7 year old daughter who is CONSTANTLY hungry! She was always very petite and just in the past year I have noticed she is getting heavy around her middle. I have had to buy new clothes 3 times since June. I try to offer her healthy choices but she's always wanting pasta,cheese and sweets! She is very obssesed with food in general. We have told her no snacking after supper then we have caught her sneaking food in her room at night! I have resorted to putting a lock on the pantry door. I don't want to have to make a big deal about it but I worry she will grow up to be obese. My mom and neice are very obese and it can be hereditary. Should I assume this is a phase or a growth spurt or should I be concerned? I get really worried about the sneaky behavior! Any suggestios or feedback?
Answers:
Did something happen during this time period that is causing her to seek comfort with food? Can you do some activity with her that is exercise?
Answers:
How long has she been constantly hungry? Did this behavior begin at some point in time? If so, what event(s) may have been associated with this behavior. You need to be careful not to turn this into a game, one which she could win easily and often. Even if she doesn't get the food because you have locked it away, she has forced you into that behavior so she's in control. Without knowing too much about the history, I would suggest you consider this: First, give this approach a few weeks and see what happens. If it doesn't work, you can always stop it. Let her eat whatever she wants whenever she wants. Don't get upset, don't even think that she shouldn't be eating that much. Give her total freedom to eat what and when she wants. When she sees that you are no longer reacting in any way, she will stop, if her motivation is to get to you. Another part of this is to actually ask her to eat, present her with the foods - often. Right after a meal, offer her some more food. It must be genuine and you have to let her eat more if she wants. If she asks for a bag of potatoe chips, ask her if she wants two - and giver her two if she wants them. Ask her if she wants three! On the condition that she eats it then. But, your goal is actually to get her into the practice of refusing the (extra) food you offer her to eat, which she may do if you keep offering it to her. Assuming you get some responses you desire from this paradoxical approach, stop it anyway after a few weeks and see what behaviors ensue.
Answers:
That is a wonderful idea! She is very used to getting LOTS of attention. I never even considered that this is a great way for her to get it! She does seem to be acting out alot latley. I'm not sure why. The only thing that I can think of is her 11 yr. old brother has gotten high honors this last quater and we were giving him alot of positve attention for that.
She is a very beautiful child and is used to people telling her so -even on the street. I've really tried to tone that down. She won't always be a "cute little girl"! I will definitly try what your suggesting and see what happens!
Thank you for you help and happy holidays!
Answers:
She does seem to be acting out alot latley. I'm not sure why. Have you asked her what might be bothering her?
Answers:
Did something happen during this time period that is causing her to seek comfort with food? Can you do some activity with her that is exercise?
Answers:
How long has she been constantly hungry? Did this behavior begin at some point in time? If so, what event(s) may have been associated with this behavior. You need to be careful not to turn this into a game, one which she could win easily and often. Even if she doesn't get the food because you have locked it away, she has forced you into that behavior so she's in control. Without knowing too much about the history, I would suggest you consider this: First, give this approach a few weeks and see what happens. If it doesn't work, you can always stop it. Let her eat whatever she wants whenever she wants. Don't get upset, don't even think that she shouldn't be eating that much. Give her total freedom to eat what and when she wants. When she sees that you are no longer reacting in any way, she will stop, if her motivation is to get to you. Another part of this is to actually ask her to eat, present her with the foods - often. Right after a meal, offer her some more food. It must be genuine and you have to let her eat more if she wants. If she asks for a bag of potatoe chips, ask her if she wants two - and giver her two if she wants them. Ask her if she wants three! On the condition that she eats it then. But, your goal is actually to get her into the practice of refusing the (extra) food you offer her to eat, which she may do if you keep offering it to her. Assuming you get some responses you desire from this paradoxical approach, stop it anyway after a few weeks and see what behaviors ensue.
Answers:
That is a wonderful idea! She is very used to getting LOTS of attention. I never even considered that this is a great way for her to get it! She does seem to be acting out alot latley. I'm not sure why. The only thing that I can think of is her 11 yr. old brother has gotten high honors this last quater and we were giving him alot of positve attention for that.
She is a very beautiful child and is used to people telling her so -even on the street. I've really tried to tone that down. She won't always be a "cute little girl"! I will definitly try what your suggesting and see what happens!
Thank you for you help and happy holidays!
Answers:
She does seem to be acting out alot latley. I'm not sure why. Have you asked her what might be bothering her?