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Child with Down Syndrome whose grandparents over feed her with fast food. What do you do?

Kendra - posted on 07/06/2012 ( 5 moms have responded )

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I have a 7 year-old with Down Syndrome. I am also a single mother. My father and his wife watch my daughter every other weekend so that I may go to work. Since it is very easy for kids with DS to become overweight, I try my best to monitor how much and what she eats throughout the week. However, my father and his wife allow my daughter to eat whatever she asks for (whether she's truly hungry or not). They claim it's not that big a deal since its once a week. But it's a problem when you pick up your child the next day and they've grown almost two pant sizes! What do I do to get them to feed her healthier food?

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Sophia - posted on 09/27/2012

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I know this is not what you want to hear but grandparents . at times will not follow what you tell them unless you explain what being overweight mean for a child with down syndrome. they feel they are just loving her... they will follow your rules if they know it could hurt her in the future. show them some facts about what can happen. god bless grandparents that love her !

Iridescent - posted on 07/08/2012

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If the suggestions Sharlene has don't work because they're not willing to listen, I'd have to discuss it to them a bit differently. Let them know it's her health you are concerned about, and even if they can't see why it's a big deal, it does impact her health negatively in a big way. If they can't respect that and care for it, you'll need to find someone else to watch her. You can call the county if this is difficult and request a PCA or nurse depending on her level of care, in home, which will both provide care that is to her needs and your requests. If they want to lose that weekly contact, continuing to act that way is a great way to do it.

Sharlene - posted on 07/07/2012

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Hi Kendra, Just demend it to them. Does she have a dietitian maybe they can suggest a diet program or other recommendations to guide you in the right dircection for her. Have you tried the other down sydrome communities.

Kendra - posted on 07/07/2012

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I have actually done all of that, Sharlene. Has't done a thing to make them change. I've explained every medical issue that comes from my child gaining too much weight, too fast. I've told them that the doctor was concerned about her weight gain. I'm still stumped.

Sharlene - posted on 07/06/2012

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Can you sit both of them down and explain to them your routein at home and you would like to keep like that when your daughter's visiting them. Can you also suggest to them what foood's your have at home or even take food over with her when visiting. I hope this helps lol.good luck

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