to think this Mother's comment to her toddler was pretty awful....

[RachelHRD]

Out for a walk at some local gardens this morning with DD (2) and DH and as we were wandering around a Mum carrying her toddler in front of us commented 'Come on X you're nearly 2 now and you should be running around or you'll get fat like Y'

Of course said Mum was reed thin - both DH and I were a bit about what she said - not a great way to encourage your child to exercise by commenting about another 'fat' kid???

DS (4) is fascinated by Super Fat Super Skinny and comments about the people with fat tummies and I try very hard to say he shouldn't talk about people like that and it isn't nice - but it's no wonder some kids grow up to tease and poke fun at larger people if their parents talk to them like this mother did to her child.....

Actually, at least for adults exercise has a pretty negligible effect on weight so the mother was wrong. Exercise is good for our health but plenty of fat people take loads of exercise and plenty of thin people take none. It seems sad to give little kids the message that using their bodies is about appearance, when they could be running and skipping and sliding and swinging and cycling and scooting for pleasure. So I agree it was not a helpful thing to say. But as the owner of a not-quite-two-year-old I don't imagine it will have done much harm.

I think supersize may be innapropriate viewing its very exploitative.

but yeah that was a horrible comment.

I don't think it was a bad comment, it was factual, a child who moves a lot would probably find it very difficult to eat enough to get fat, a child who lazes around will gain weight more quickly. All the fat kids I know barely move and eat too much because they have nothing better to do.

I think it's far worse that you allow your four year old to watch that awful show. Your child is the one commenting on fat people's tummies in public.

I wouldn't get my knickers in a twist about that comment ,no

so yabu

yabu
sounds like the pot calling the kettle black as you let your child watch an adult programme, yet judge someone else for a throw a way comment!!

The comment was perhaps not great the but if the sentiment is 'be fit and be healthy' then I sort of understand it.

I've got to say that when I'm in my ds's hometown and I see the vast majority of kids obsese (not just overweight) I am tempted to say don't do what they are doing, don't eat what they are eating. I don't say it but I certainly think it.

I don't want to be in a situation when I have to put my child on a diet.

My sister tells DN if she doesn't exercise she will get fat like sammy, sammy is there cat.

sammy is also really rather fat too.

My 2 DS are currently obsessed with telling DH that he has a 'fat tummy like Daddy Pig'

Have to agree with everyone else - the problem here is YOU and YOU letting your child watch that programme when it's 4

Anyhow OP disappeared so I guess she knows views on her question !

My mum used to say that to my brother and I was the 'Y' :(

Is the OP going to come back and explain why she is letting a 4-year-old watch Supersize Superskinny? That bothers.me at least as much as the comment she overheard.

Where are you OP?

I love flabberghasted. Very AIBU.

Sorry I posted this and have then been caught up with the DC's and weekly shop (of good, healthy, nutritious food obv )

I should make it clear that no DS does not watch Supersize, Superskinny but it has been on a couple of times when he has come down for his story and I usually turn it over as he seems overly interested in it and I agree it's not suitable viewing for a 4 year old. It has however prompted comments about fat tummies which I have tried to deal with in the most appropriate way to make him understand that yes some people are overweight (I'm by no means skinny myself) but that it's not nice to call people fat. I also explain to him how important it is to have a healthy diet and only eat sweets, cakes etc in moderation.

stifnstav I think there is a big difference between a child's innocent observation of people around them and a parent making a comment about them becoming fat like Y if they don't run around - surely you can't compare the two??

The mother's comment could have been about an animal I suppose - but even if it is it's not a great way to teach your child about healthy eating and exercise?? Oh and before I get flamed again - neither is SSvSS!!

Oh and my DS hasn't once commented about fat tummies in public - hopefully because I have made him understand that it isn't nice to refer to people in that way...

I think it was the "fascinated" OP which indicated that he watched it a lot.

Whats that noise ? ahhhh - the unmistakable clunk of back pedalling by the OP

OP - you are the one who sounds as if you are giving your kid 'ishoos'. Keep the TV on age appropriate stuff when your child is awake.

Why would you have the TV on when your 4 year old is having his story?

Oh FFS he comes downstairs for a story and SSvSS starts on the TV which has been left on whilst I'm doing stuff and he is curious as are most 4 year olds does not mean I sit him down in front of it and let him watch it all. I TURN IT OFF if he is having a story or over if it's inappropriate.

So tell me if your DC's come downstairs after bedtime when then and the TV is on do you ban them from entering the room before it is switched off?? What about adverts - make them shut their eyes and cover their ears??

No back pedalling just an explanation - sorry if it's boring and means you can't slate me more than you have already but that is the way it is.......... Oh and it's taken 2 days to come back and do it? Not enough other people to slate??

If my ds comes down after bedtime he gets taken back to bed, not rewarded with a story therefore encouraging him to keep coming downstairs.