Morbidly obese stepchild

United States
March 1, 2007 12:33pm CST
My stepdaughter is morbidly obese weighing 230 lbs at 10 years old! Everytime I try to make a suggestion to my husband, he gets upset and tells me to butt out. I tell him that is only because I care about him and the child which is why io want to help. The mom is totally against puttin her on a diet and he does want to cause any friction that would prevent him from seeing his daughter that he gets a chance to keep every other week-end. This girl is headed for destruction which is going to cause my husband terrible heartache. Should I contact social services or just let the girl eat herself to death?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
2 Mar 07
Well, you can call CPS and then be prepared to be divorced or you can become this child's friend and mentor. You can have her help you cook and teach her how to cook in a healthy manor. When she comes over, have her go out for walks with you or suggest other activities that means that she gets up off her butt and moves around. Have you talked to her about it? Maybe she you can enlist her help to help you lose weight or get more active. Take her grocery shopping and let her see you studying labels, let her help in planning healthy menus. Obviously the other adults in her life are oblivious, do an end run around. When she comes to visit, for snacks have baby carrots and other veggies. If you get along with her, play a game - scrabble then suggest a nice walk before a 2nd game or before starting dinner, become her friend, kids can be cruel, my guess is she needs some friends.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Mar 07
been there done that.this child shows no interest in physical activity. After I had my daughter I was at the park everyday trying toloseweight and I even encouraged her to go.She literally has a hard time moving around. I try in every way I can to help her but the last time tried to have a discussion about it she went back and told her mother and her mother confronted husband and blew it out of proportion. One good thing has happened though her teacher has put her on the cheerleading team at school. She was very happy about this and so am I at least someone has found a way to incorporate someform of exercise in her life.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
5 Mar 07
What does her pediatrician say? I know they probably aren't allowed to talk to you, but your husband should be in on those conversations. Try to do "fun" exercise. Swimming is great for the body, is there an inside community pool close by? A trampoline is also great exercise (I used to use mine as a workout all the time, wish I still had it). Try not to have any "snacks" in the house when she's around. No chips, cookies, sodas. Just stuff that's good for you. But, for contacting social services... That's a tough call... The parents are likely to just resent you for it. And the daughter might be taken away from both of them, making things worse. Best of luck to you!
• United States
5 Mar 07
Thanks for your advice. I have tried all of that. It needs to really be all of us working together.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
6 Mar 07
Yes, that is very true that it needs to be a joint effort. It seems like you are trying your best. Don't give up on her!