Effects on Children
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Effects on Children
| Sat, 03-06-2004 - 9:18pm |
Hi
I hope you don't mind, but I'm writing b/c my b/f ex-girlfriend has suffered from bulimia for about 10 years. In the recent past, she has improved, but I know she has days/weeks that are tough...but my question is this:
I hope you don't mind, but I'm writing b/c my b/f ex-girlfriend has suffered from bulimia for about 10 years. In the recent past, she has improved, but I know she has days/weeks that are tough...but my question is this:
They have a 4 year old boy together and he splits time between our house and hers. We have fairly structured mealtimes, whereas she takes the "he'll eat when he's hungry approach"...which some may agree with. But what i'm really asking is this..."what potential affects can an eating disorder have on a child". He's very smart for his age, and not alot goes unnoticed. Sometimes he'll even comment on the fact that he has a "big belly" (he's 42 inches, and 50lbs). I tell him that it's not big...it's a healthy belly from the good foods he eats. I just want to make sure he grows up with a healthy self-image.
Thanks
Maryanne

Hi Maryanne,
Kids pick up on more stuff than we think and they can definitely pick up on the whole body image thing. If she talks about her body, being big, having a big belly, etc. in front of him, I can see how he would worry about his own body/size at an early age. And it can eventually lead to an ED - but of course this takes a while. I do tend to believe in the 'eating when hungry' approach.
Love & hugs, Kristina
Hi - yes, I totally agree with you and that's what I meant to say. If I had kids, I would definitely attempt to have structured meal times.
How are things going?
Love & hugs, Kristina
The opinions I have expressed here are from my own experience and are not intended as medical advice or to take the place of your own physician's advice.
Love & hugs, Kristina