Ok - time to face it - dd is overweight : (

[timeticking]

Hi mamas,

My 3 year old daughter has always loved her food. It is my fault - hands up; I have been giving her the same treats as my 5 and 6 year old as I don't like to give her half a biscuit, half a cake etc. She is always hungry and wanting to graze. I have been giving her fruit or a box of raisins in between treat times. But the treats add up. I have a strict routine where the children have a mid-morning biscuit, a treat with milk at 3pm and then something after their tea. They also tend to have a few 'bad' cereals (only a handful) on top of their all bran or weetabix. But, as I say, it adds up.

I need to get on top of this now. Her face is looking really chubby and she has a double chin (but she is still gorgeous). I know this is normal in the toddler years but my older two were not the same. My husband is also worried and people comment that she is heavy to pick up.

Obviously, I can't put her on a diet. That would be ridiculous and irresponsible. And I will start watching what I give her. But does anyone else have any great tips for helping to address sooner rather than later.

Many thanks.

Just wanted to thank everyone of you for taking the time to post. You have all made some wonderfully helpful comments and I will reread the thread a few times to take in all your tips. Dd isn't that big but is definitely a little tubby with a chubby face. Nothing bad but enough for me to jump on. I really appreciate your kind words and not criticising me. When I meant treats I meant that she has a plain biscuit in the morning, a small treat in the afternoon (perhaps a fudge or froggie bar) and then after tea she tends to have a small biscuit with her milk. But it has hit home that many of you feel this is too much. I will replace with more fruit and alternative snacks. She only ever drinks water with occasional apple juice (small glass watered down). But we definitely are not doing enough exercise since we got here and I need to address this. I am going to enrol her for a dance and swimming class - great suggestions. Anyway, thanks so much everyone!!

I always feel a bed bounce session is a great way of exercising!! Okay, there may be some safety precautions you need to follow but it's a great solution to our winter weekend, stuck indoors, blues. Have fun :0