It’s a parent’s job to protect their kid, and it’s one that most take very seriously. That’s why when a nurse practitioner made an off-handed remark about Julie Venn’s daughter, the woman clapped back in an inspiring message that has since gone viral.
Julie’s family is very sporty, and her children participate in an active lifestyle.
Her thirteen-year-old daughter Riley loves playing sports and is enrolled in a ton of competitive leagues after school.
Riley doesn’t appear to be overweight and has never had weight-related problems in health, so when the nurse made a fat-shaming comment during her annual check-up appointment, Julie felt like she had no choice but to clap back.
She shared the entire story on the Love What Matters page:
“I put my hand up and said ‘STOP! You need to stop talking to my daughter about her weight. She is 13, she is strong. She is healthy, and she is PERFECT. You need to move on!’
“NP seems surprised at my reaction and doesn’t say much. She continues with her exam. As she finishes she asks me to follow her because she has a question to ask me. I follow her into an adjoining room out of earshot of my daughter, and she asks me why I had that reaction to her.
“I explained, in no uncertain terms, that she was out of line in the way she dealt with my daughter. Our girls need to be empowered and supported and celebrated. They already have to compare themselves to the ridiculous social media [explicative] standards. They are flooded with images of perfection via TV, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.
“Their whole freaking lives have a filter on them!
“I hammer home the importance of eating healthy, exercising and of course sports because we are sporty people but my God! Kids eat junk food! Kids sit around watching Netflix! Kids get heavier, lighter, taller, wider! IT’S NORMAL! Our young ladies need a break! If my child has a problem or is OVERWEIGHT, then a doctor needs to talk to ME – not my daughter.
“This NP actually went on to defend herself by saying she tells the kids because they have control over their food and exercise. My response – ‘LAST I CHECKED MA’AM, I DO THE GROCERY SHOPPING’ and the meal preparation and the extracurricular scheduling for my children. She’s 13! She responded that some kids have their own ‘pocket money’ and use it for junk.
“SO – we left the office and won’t be back. The reason I am sharing this is because it is dangerous. Riley’s response when we left was, ‘Mom, this is why kids have anorexia or feel like they want to hurt themselves.‘
“She is exactly right!”
Instead of criticizing Riley’s weight, Julie also shares an alternative way for nurses to approach this situation:
‘Hey kiddo. Let me tell you how exciting this time of your life is. I see you have started to grow into being a strong young woman and that is awesome!
“Know that some girls gain weight, some lose weight, some struggle with acne, some feel insecure, but remember this – YOU ARE PERFECT just the way you are.
“As you mature, you will be responsible for more things that pertain to your body – hygiene, activity, menstruation, exercise and healthy eating. This is just the beginning of a long, confusing, sometimes scary road to becoming a woman, but it is worth it!'”
Comments about a child’s weight really do have an effect on their self-esteem.
Self-report surveys already reveal that 97% of women are “cruel to their bodies” every day, and it needs to stop before another generation is affected. The worst part is, 50-70% of girls already perceive themselves as being overweight— even when they are not!
To see how damaging these kinds of comments can be, watch the video below.
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