I've got something bothering me.
Suzanne posted about her son and how chunky he is. Now don't get me wrong, I think he's absolutely adorable. But someone made the comment about nothing being wrong with chunky babies. They look like they are loved and taken care of. Skinny babies pretty much look the opposite and don't attract as much attention.
That's what's bothering me.
Jorden was born at 5lbs 13oz. Chase was born at 6lbs 8oz. Both came out healthy and perfect. My kids have never, since about the age of 6 months, been above the 5th percentile in weight.
Look at the picture of my babies. Can you judge me and say that just because they are so skinny that I don't take care of them? Is that really a fair assessment?
I know that the comment was not made directly at me but it really hurt. It's bad enough that I constantly have to explain to pediatricians why my kids are so small. It's not my fault nor is it theirs. It's just the way God has made them. I've been sent to nutritionists. I've had to bring the kids in for twice monthly weight checks. I've even been threatened with child protective services. For a country that is in the middle of an obesity epidemic, everyone is sure freaking out about how skinny they are.
I can honestly say that my kids have gotten their fair share of attention from others. They both have these magnetic personalities and I can say that everyone who has spent any kind of moment in their presence says how cute and happy they are. I'm not trying to compare and say, "Strangers like my kids more!" or something like that. All I'm saying is that people notice all kinds of happy babies no matter how big or small they are.
I can assure you, my kids are happy, healthy, and well taken care of. It's not fair for anyone to assume otherwise just because they don't have rolls bursting out of their clothes. Don't judge my children or our abilities as their parents. Remember that not only do adults come in all shapes and sizes but kids do too.
The FIT Challenge
15 years ago
4 comments:
Barbara, I honestly don't think that my post or anyone's comment inferred that it's horrible to have a skinny baby. Anyone who knows you knows your not even close to being a neglectful mother. I was just looking at the picture of your two cuties on your sidebar, and they look great! Nobody in their right mind would call them sickly looking. I've known lots of people with skinny kids--basically, people will be people, and just because others may say things doesn't mean they know what they're talking about.
Like Linda said--I think it would be great to have that kind of metabolism!
Sometimes I feel bad about my babies being so fat because I am, and when people see Adam I wonder if they automatically think he gets it from me. But then I have to cool it and give people more credit than that. And if people do think that, I can't let it be my problem. I know that I'm not feeding my kids fast food and treats all the time, so I need to just be confident in the knowledge that I'm doing all I can to keep my kids away from an overweight/unhealthy lifestyle.
You're kids look healthy and happy.
I hope you didn't take my comment to heart...it wasn't directed at anyone...I most certainly do not judge children on their appearance. I have short, squat kids...they're destined to be under-average because mom and dad are short and squat.
I wasn't judging you...please don't think that! Your kids, in the pictures I've seen, don't seem skinny. They seem just right...your son's got chubby cheeks...your daughter's at the age where the baby fat comes off anyway, so I never judge her as scrawny. And my friend's two kids are just so thin...and I KNOW how much they eat, too! They just have that fast metabolism.
And I know some moms whose kids were nursed and chunky as all get out...and others whose kids were nursed and just stayed thin...we're not judging. But there are parents who deliberately under-feed their kids in order to prevent them from getting fat...
I'm sorry if my comment struck a nerve...it wasn't intended or directed at you (especially since I've never met your kids...I can't judge from pictures!)
Hey you. I've been all jealous with the emails that you and my favorite Alaskan have been exchanging. Has she told you about the dividend checks that Alaskans get? Ka-ching! =)
As for your kiddos, I would be a much better judge at how skinny or not they are if you'd come visit. I really need to hug them first. =)
Seriously though, I've been sensitive toward the whole skinny thing too as well as people thinking my kids are slow, because they have speech delays as well as people offering "advice" on how to keep them from getting ear infections.....I could go on and on. I've realized that parenting is hard and sometimes it's better to just shove off the comments and try to think the best of people that they are just trying to be helpful. =) Tell yourself you're a great mom and believe it, baby. Oh, you'd be even more awesome if you'd come visit though. =)
Oh one more thing.....and I know that Suz won't take offense, cause our two boys were born within ounces of each other, but I kind of (I say kind of in deference of my "Jolly Green....ok they were born more yellow than green Giants") prefer little babies. I mean, my kiddos all were almost or over nine pounds and grew out of their clothes SO quickly. I used to look at those little babies and be a bit jealous (I remember Chaille especially). I mean, my kids came out almost toddlers. I never really experienced those itty bitty baby months. Don't get me wrong....love the giants.....have three of them, but there is still something about those itty bitty babies that make me just a teeny bit jealous....they are just so little and cute.....mine all looked like they could have started walking from birth. Shoot, I'm giving a pair of 3Ts gender neutral jeans to Alex who is a year older than Ky, because they are too small on her super long legs. =)
Post a Comment