This morning I showed my 6 year old daughter a couple of photos (from the internet) of women who were suffering with anorexia. I suppose most people reading this must think I was mad or stupid, and looking back I now regret it. At the time I was trying to explain to her why being thin is not a goal that is a sensible one, and that if anyone tells her she is fat then she should take no notice. She is not fat, in fact she is skinny, but I am aware that even at her age there is a pressure to be thin, and it alarms me.
Anyway, tonight at bathtime she suddenly got very upset, and said she was starving, and wanted some food. I gave her an apple, as she'd already eaten a good dinner. Once in bed she seemed very fidgety and kept on putting her head under the covers - in the end she burst into tears and told me she thought she was too thin - because she can feel her bones. I did all I could to reassure her, and she then started crying because she felt sorry for "those ladies" (ie the ones she saw in the pictures).
I felt absolutely terrible, and still do. My dp is furious with me, and I am furious with myself.
My instinct is to say nothing more about it, I have already told her I wish I hadn't shown her the pictures and that I never meant to upset her. I have told her that she is perfect as she is, and that if anyone is to do any worrying it is me, not her because she is a child and I am her mother. (Some mother). She eats like a horse by the way and is full of energy.
Does anyone have any advice about what I should or should not do or say if the subject comes up again?
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.
Behaviour/development
I've made a terrible mistake telling my 6 year old about anorexia - what can I do to stop her feeling so worried?
27 replies
merrygoround · 27/08/2008 22:20
OP posts:
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.