Should the mother with a 14 stone 8 year old be done for child abuse?

Answer 1

Well, a while ago there was two old men done for cruelty to animals because they let their dog become obese. So I think the same rule should apply. I am guessing you are watching GM TV at the moment. She didn't seem to be too bothered that her son was that way, she missed loads of appointments for him.

Answer 2

My eight year old weighs 4.5 stone and is bullied at school for being overweight. Often reduced to tears. I have been very careful with her diet since she was a toddler as she is inclined to be heavy, unlike my other three kids who have always been slim. We eat plenty, just lots of fruit, vegetables and low calorie treats like rice cakes etc.

I dont think prosecution should be the first thought. the child is probably having a tough time at school, removing him from his family, will probably add to his mental stress. Education, help in a caring way will bring its reward. The weight will not come off overnight, and not at all if he comfort eats due to anxiety.

A gentle but consistant approach should be adopted. My question is how did it get so bad without some medical intervention? What have the school, doctors etc been doing?

Answer 3

The answer is
The mother should go to prison for child abuse, neglect, attempted murder, etc. This mother is not a good mother. She needs social services to take her shopping and show her how to cook. That is just a waste of public funds.

Answer 4

How I wish people would pause to read the question before answering! Its very clear, although it could have be helped with the use of a comma after old.
Still, asking about parental responsibilty especially in this area, is brave of you. I agree wholeheartedly that this is a case of neglect, not in the 'normal' sense, but neglect of care, of health, of understanding.
Any parent that causes a child to become obese, or in this case morbidly obese, has failed to provide a safe and loving environment. This may have been due to lack of knowledge in the past, however with so much coverage of in the press and on TV, this can hardly be an excuse anymore.
The airwaves are full of healthy eating programmes, warning about 'killing your kids' etc, no excuse left. We all know about the dangers, and how to avoid them. 8 year olds are provided with food, they don't buy it, or cook it. Down to the parents, we need to reintroduce 'cookery' or 'home technology' in school, and ensure that everyone has the the basics!

Answer 5

It is very difficult to answer unless you know the whole truth. But if this is about the woman on GM TV this morning that feed her son fried foods and crisps and all that crap then yes, she should be done for child abuse. People think that food companies should be answerable for things like this, but in my view, the parents don't have to buy all the rubbish!

Answer 6

Hi!

I love some of the crazy answers you've received!!

But seriously though, it's total lack of education on the Mother's part isn't it?

If it were me, I'd enrol myself in my local Weightwatchers and take my kid with me. I know that WW take kids with a doctors authority.

Then, both the Mum and the kid would benefit without the kid being starved.

Too many Mothers these days concede to their childrens demands when the say "I want that" which is usually junk food, or "I'm not eating that" which is usually healthy food! My kids eat what's served up and if they don't they starve!! But then again I'm lucky they'll eat most things and THEY tell ME if they think I'm serving up unhealthy stuff!

You should be with me when I'm in Asda and want to buy some double chocolate chip muffins and my youngest says "Mum, do you REALLY need them? What's the nutritional content in them?". !!! There's me well and truly told!!

It'll be interesting to see what happens to them.

Answer 7

I coulnd't help but giggle - if you don't know, here in the UK 1 stone equals 14 pounds!
I think this should have been investigated years ago. The mother must regularly have gone for checkups. My friend took her overweight son to the doctor and he told her not to worry, the child was a fine figure of a boy!
The kid was grateful that he could eat but of course, he was being bullied.
So yes, I think she should be held accountable.

Answer 8

No, but she clearly needs to be taken aside and made to understand that her poor parenting is endangering his health. This poor child can't even walk to school without vomiting. She needs to stop blaming everyone else. Giving him a snack every 20 minutes is ridiculous. She says he keeps whining at her otherwise. Well, get some discipline!

Ultimately she's the one letting him eat 3 packets of biscuits a day. That is just bad parenting, pure and simple, and I note she is obese herself. Stop whining and making excuses, start listening to the hard truth.

Answer 9

i have seen this story on the news and its not some genetic or hormonal thing that's wrong with him his mum cooks him up fry ups and gives him crisps upon crisps and sweets like they were going to be rationed so yes i think she should be done she is an adult and should know better he is an 8yr old who is given all this great tasting food hes Hadley going to say no give me a carrot instead i don't care if she needs parent classes or if shes thick everyone knows the health differences between a fry up that can feed 5 or5 say a grilled chicken salad and yeah he will put up a fuss but its her own fault she is slowly killing her son what ever way you look at it and that in my books is child abuse

Answer 10

yes she should.cant imagine what the child looks like my 8 yr old weighs 4.surprised the school and gp arent concerned about this child they should be.to get to that size they must be consuming huge quantitys of food and it,s the mother who provides it or doesnt stop the child helping themselves.laughing at some of answers you got count to 10...

Answer 11

i don't think so. people are viewing this just on the surface and are not aware of the circumstances - you can only judge when you have all the details presented and there might be geniune cause for this. maybe the child has a undected thyroid problem maybe a slow metabolsim which causes food to break down slowly.