Emotional eating

[PurpleHatNanna]

My son and DIL were visiting last week and I saw something that really disturbed me. My eight year old grand-daughter got into a spat with her mum and later I saw her go into the biscuit tin and eat like there was no tomorrow. It isn't the first time I have seen my grand-daughter eat like that. This time it was fairly obvious that she wasn't hungry; we'd just had lunch. I think she was eating because she was angry and upset about the tiff with her mum. I can see she's gained some weight recently and I?m worried that she could become an emotional eater. I can't say anything to my DIL, she'll get defensive and I don?t want to make problems with my son, but what can I do?

I don't want to see my grand-daughter mistaking anger, disappointment etc for a need for sweets. That's a slippery slope and it could compromise her health in the long run.

What to do? Anyone have any ideas?

Hello PHN,

I've done the biscuit-dive myself on more than one occasion and it never made me feel any better. It could get to be a serious problem for your gd if it becomes a habit. I can see why you'd be reluctant to bring it up with her your son and dil.

My sister has had some luck with a book she bought from Amazon recently - it's called "What Colour is Your Happy?" It's a workbook for talking to kids about their emotions, how to recognise them and what to do about them. It might be a little young for an eight year old, but it could be a good way to have a nice, neutral chat about emotions and how we deal with them.

Good luck! I hope it gets better.

Do you worry that your DIL might get defensive, based on how she's reacted in the past? As a DIL myself, I might feel a bit defensive, having this pointed out, but I'd also be grateful that my MIL was concerned enough to get involved. Even if I didn't admit it to her ;)

Alternatively, a quiet word with your son might be appropriate, then it's up to him how he raises it with his wife (if at all)? I can fully understand your concern and need to do something though