Mother accused of ‘fat shaming’ after asking stepdaughter to choose a ‘healthier’ birthday cake
Mum accused of ‘fat shaming’ after asking her stepdaughter, 6, to choose a ‘healthier’ birthday cake – because she is 20 pounds overweight
A mom has been criticized for asking her six-year-old stepdaughter to make a “healthier choice” than a birthday cake — because she’s 20 pounds overweight.
The woman, 34, rose Reddit to explain how her stepdaughter Gwen spends two weekends a month with her “active” family, but otherwise eats poorly.
The mom said Gwen’s birthday happened to fall on a weekend she was staying with her — and she asked the six-year-old to make a healthier birthday choice.
Instead of cake, she asked Gwen if she wanted low-fat ice cream.
The 34-year-old woman took to Reddit to explain how her stepdaughter Gwen stays with her “active” family two weekends a month, but otherwise follows a poor diet at home (stock image)
She said, “Gwen’s birthday finally fell on one of her weekends with us, and while we were talking about what kind of cake to have, I asked Gwen about the healthier choice.”
“My reasoning is that unfortunately she’s still bringing all that trash into the house, and that’s just not good for a girl growing up.
She agreed and we decided to have some low fat ice cream so she can have something sweet after all. It’s a brand that Gwen loves and asks for every time she’s here, so she was happy with it.”
But the healthier option didn’t go down well with Gwen’s mother, who accused her stepmother of “fat shaming” and demanded an apology.
“I’m just looking out for the health of a child in my care, but I never said Gwen couldn’t have a cake and she could have had one if she’d said she wanted one,” the woman said. .
“I suggested sticking with ice cream because I care.”
The mom said Gwen’s birthday happened to fall on a weekend she was staying with her — and she asked the six-year-old to make a healthier birthday choice (stock image)
Those on social media tended to agree with Gwen’s mother
Those on social media tended to agree with Gwen’s mother.
One even worried that the six-year-old could have “nutritional problems and a future eating disorder” because of her stepmother’s attitude to healthy eating.
Another said: ‘The mother probably asked her why she didn’t have any cake and that made the girl cry. It’s really not that hard to believe.
The little girl suppresses her own thoughts and feelings around her stepmother because she doesn’t feel safe sharing them. Stepmother’s actions are totally inappropriate.”
A third agreed, saying, ‘She’s a little girl who wanted cake on her birthday.
There is no “good” or “bad” food. You really need to rethink your attitude around food, eat, eat [and] big shame.’
But not everyone felt the same way, with some commentators applauding the unnamed mother for her efforts.
One person said, ‘You’re doing a good thing by promoting healthier eating and an active lifestyle.
How is it better in the long run for that child to feed a young child who is already overweight than what you see as “fat shaming”?
“Being overweight has consequences and no amount of denial from the body positivity crowd will change that.”