Mum sparks debate after admitting she 'judges' parents of overweight children

A mum has sparked debate online after revealing she judges the parents of overweight children at her kids' school.

Taking to a parenting forum, the mum explained she had been picking her little one up from school when she noticed her classmate waiting to be collected.

Describing her as a 'very heavy set little girl', the mum asked if other parents ever felt the same.

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"At school pick up today I noticed a new girl in my daughters class was in the line waiting to be collected," she wrote on Mumsnet.

"She is a very heavy set little girl, they are all in year 1, so still very young but this particular child looked far bigger and sadly really stood out. I found myself feeling so sad, wondering if she will settle in OK and then irrationally annoyed at her parents for putting her in that position.

"I was quite a chubby child for some of my school years and recall the taunts vividly, it made my school experience pretty horrible so I think I have quite a skewed view on this in fairness, it hits a nerve.

"I had a word with myself for being judgemental and not knowing the situation and I know it's non of my business, but I wondered if I'm just a horrible person or if anyone else feels a pang of sadness for these kids and (rightly or wrongly) finds themselves blaming/judging the parents."

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People were pretty divided over the post. While some agreed with the mum, others argued that it wasn't always straightforward, with poverty and disability often playing a part.

One person wrote: "No, I don't judge them because I have no idea what factors are behind it so its none if my business. One of my DC was overweight due to issues related to their disability."

While another said: "It’s hard to know the circumstances. Obesity and poverty massively overlap for example, so I wouldn’t judge. But I do think it’s such a shame for the kids."

And a third added: "No, I wouldn't if I just saw someone overweight, you don't know the reasons behind it. If I knew them well and they were being fed giant portions and junk food constantly then I would probably judge then bit definitely not on first sight."

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Others were more in agreement however, with another commenting: "I judge the parents too and feel sad for the children tbh."

And one said: "I'm afraid I do. Some children will be overweight due to disabilities or medical conditions, but most aren't. I'm shocked at times at the size of some of the DCs I see."

Topics: Parenting

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot.

@lucedevine