Your little one’s body is constantly changing. There are tiny twitches and fidgetts that will one day become fullblown habits that require extra attention.
As she gets older, your child will experience many changes. Her body will continue to grow and develop, and she will begin to notice the effects of this growth. Not all changes are positive, and it is in this phase that you may want to help her lose weight.
This is easier said than done, but it’s important that you have realistic expectations. It doesn’t happen overnight, and you can’t force your child to eat voluminously. However, with a little bit of planning and strategizing, you can ensure that she eats healthily and maintains a healthy weight.
Make Healthy Options The Default
When your child has a hard time choosing food items, it’s time for a rethink. Instead of presenting your child with all of the familiar, easy foods that she knows and loves, try offering healthier options. In this way, you can help your child shed off the extra pounds.
When your child is faced with a completely new menu full of unidentifiable, unfamiliar food items, it’s easy for her to feel disheartened. Presenting your child with healthy alternatives is the first step to overcoming this issue.
It’s not always easy to make the healthier option the default, especially if you are dealing with an adult who is used to ordering what they want. In these situations, it’s usually easier to go back to what you know and what you were doing before. However, once your child is used to making healthier choices, this will become automatic and won’t require as much thought.
Plan Ahead
As your child gets older, she will experience many changes. Not only will her body develop, but her brain will as well. This will affect her ability to make healthy choices, and it’s in your best interest to prepare for this. Instead of scrambling to put a plan into action once your child is facing an issue, try to develop this plan before. This will ensure that your child maintains a healthy weight and will help her make better choices.
The earlier you start, the better. This is because as she gets older, she will require more time to plan her meals. While it’s never easy to watch your child struggle with her food choices, it’s better to do this less frequently as she gets older. The more time you give her to become accustomed to making healthier choices, the less likely she will become overwhelmed when faced with the option.
Offer Support
As a parent, it’s important that you offer your child support whenever she needs it. This could be in the form of reassurance, knowledge, or even money. Whatever the case may be, you should always be there to provide help and guidance. It is never easy to watch your child struggle with something, and it’s a parent’s responsibility to comfort and reassure them as much as they need. This may mean that you need to take a step back and allow them to find their feet while still providing the necessary support.
Being a parent is both rewarding and challenging at the same time. It’s rewarding to see your child develop their skills and be proud of their accomplishments, but it’s also challenging to see them as a young adult who requires guidance and support.
No matter what your reasons for wanting to help your child lose weight, there are simple, effective ways to do this. By presenting your child with a healthier menu or by planning out a nutritious meal, you can help them develop the skill of choosing healthily and maintain a healthy weight. You can also support them as they grow and change by being there for them emotionally and physically. This may mean that you need to get out of the way for a while so that they can explore and discover things for themselves, but it will all be worth it in the end.