Fat shaming

[RollingRivers]

Why the hell are teens so cruel. DD 12 found crying in her room and when asked why it’s because some lads called her fat and said many other things (not directly to her but it her friends) about her weight. Absolutely horrible some children are these days. She’s not the skinniest kid but not fat either. I think one of her problems is that she eats when she’s bored. How do I help her it’s just so horrible

Sorry you and she are in this situation - to be honest I think it’s ‘always’ been this way. I was tormented at my girls school (also not fat but big) and also by boys on bus on the way home and that was a long time ago... my only advice is to tell her not to let the hurt show, they’ll move on, and to concentrate on the fact that few people escape this treatment completely. And it will pass. Does she have a good friend or two? Can you take her out of school for a day or few hours to have a real treat to take her mind off it? Also, front it out for a couple of years (seems forever at the time) and they all get a bit nicer around Y10/Y11 in my experience. and to you both.

Glad to hear it gets better. Her friends were very supportive after she burst into tears.

Why did her friends even tell her? That is way more cruel in my opinion.

Because kids, even friends, do that sometimes. If it’s not fat it’s stupid, ugly, greasy hair, spotty, thick etc etc, there’s a whole dictionary that can be used. I try and emphasise to my two that just because they say it, doesn’t make it fact.

Aww poor girl. Like a pp said if it wasn't fat it would be something else. Some kids like to call others names to make themselves feel better.

Just tell her to try and not take it to heart and do something nice with her maybe a shopping trip if she likes that sort of thing?

Good ideas