Parents should become well-versed in the concepts of body acceptance and Health at Every Size if they want to raise kids who are resilient against eating disorders, disordered eating, and body dysmorphia. One of the biggest challenges facing many parents today is that we can see that the fatphobic culture in which we live is … Continue reading Reading list of books that promote body acceptance to help parents create a positive body environment for kids
When a loved one, friend, or acquaintance enters an eating disorder treatment center, they benefit from a connection to the outside world and a reminder that the people who love them are rooting for their recovery. Why send a care package to someone in recovery for an eating disorder? Eating disorder treatment facilities are a … Continue reading Best care package ideas for a person who is in an eating disorder treatment facility
So much of what parents think they know for sure about food, diet, and weight is just plain wrong. It's not our fault - it's just that journalists, healthcare providers, educators, bloggers, and influencers all promote weight control and intentional weight loss (AKA dieting) as if it is good, healthy, and necessary. Despite all the … Continue reading Stop supporting intentional weight loss! Here’s the science to support a non-diet, weight-neutral approach
Tom Brady, famous and talented quarterback for the New England Patriots and winner of five Super Bowls, is an undeniably gifted athlete. Unfortunately, like many gifted people, he is choosing to spread unfounded and dangerous diet claims that can harm our children. Brady released a book called "The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime … Continue reading Why Tom Brady’s diet book is dangerous for boys and young men
"Are you pregnant?" asks the 11-year old boy, pointing at her stomach and immediately breaking into hilarious giggles, encouraging everyone around him to look and laugh as well. And the girl, stunned, looks down at her belly and wonders, perhaps for the first time "am I fat?" And she starts to think, perhaps for the … Continue reading The terrors of middle school body harassment, and how to help your child navigate body shaming
Even the most body-positive parent with a strong knowledge of Health at Every Size can feel overwhelmed when their sweet child calls herself fat. We can talk about positive body image all we want, but when negative body thoughts inevitably find their way into our daughter's head, we may feel frozen and ill-equipped to respond. … Continue reading A mom’s letter to her daughter who called herself fat
Instagram is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms among teenagers and young adults. Many people spend at least an hour each day scrolling through their Instagram feed. This is a challenge for parents, since Instagram is full of false claims and fake news about health and wellness. It is a veritable hotbed of diet … Continue reading Teaching your child media literacy in the age of false claims and fake news on Instagram
Diet culture is a system that demonizes and hates fat. Diet culture tells us that even though 95% of diets fail, we should still maintain an endless pursuit of weight loss. Diet culture tells us that we'll only be healthy if we're thin, even though we know that thin doesn't equal health. Diet culture overrides … Continue reading What parents and educators need to know about diet culture, by Dana Suchow
Are you a rebel parent? Are you willing to break the current parenting expectations and bring a kinder, gentler, and more mindful approach to raising your child? Are you ready to help your child avoid, heal from, or reduce the severity of an eating disorder? If so, read on! Resolve to accept your child as … Continue reading New Year’s Resolutions for Rebel Parents
Giving gifts is a beautiful tradition, and most parents love the opportunity to shower their kids with presents on birthdays and holidays. If your child has an eating disorder, here are a few gift ideas. Reframing eating disorders Eating disorders, like all maladaptive coping mechanisms (including substance abuse, self-harm, and many behavioral addictions such as … Continue reading Three gifts to give your child who has an eating disorder
