20/10/2026
Your child says, “I feel fat.”
Most parents instinctively rush to reassure them:
“Don’t be silly, you’re not fat, you’re beautiful.”
And as a parent myself, I know this comes from a place of love. ❤️
But let’s think about the message your child might be hearing?
When we respond with “You’re not fat, you’re beautiful”, we may unintentionally reinforce the idea that being fat is something bad.
And by focusing on reassuring them about their appearance, we may miss what’s really behind their comment.
Because “I feel fat” might actually mean:
💬 “I don’t like how my body is changing.”
💬 “Someone made a comment about my appearance.”
💬 “I’ve been comparing myself to people online.”
💬 “I don’t feel good about myself today.”
So what could you say instead?
Try responding with curiosity:
“It sounds like you’re not feeling very comfortable in your body today. Can you tell me a bit more?”
Or “Has something happened that’s made you feel this way?”
This opens up a conversation rather than shutting it down.
Remember, you don’t have to convince your child to love everything about their body. Instead, help them understand that their worth isn’t determined by their weight, shape or appearance.
We can’t control everything our children see online or hear from their peers, but we can create a home environment where body diversity is respected and difficult feelings can be talked about openly.
And if your child frequently expresses distress about their body or you notice changes in their eating behaviours, don’t dismiss these concerns.
Not sure how to navigate this with your children?
Join me for my FREE online parent webinar:
How to Talk to Your Kids About Food & Their Body
I’ll be sharing practical guidance on what to say, what to avoid and how to support your child’s relationship with food and their body.
đź“… Thursday 5th November
đź•— 8pm | Online
See 🔗 👇 to Register
Can’t make it live? Everyone who registers will receive the recording.
Please share with any parents who might find this helpful. ❤️
