Conundrum

I was watching my seven year old playing without a shirt on and two thoughts came to mind simultaneously — he is not eating enough and he is overweight.

Luckily I was self-aware enough to see the problem with those thoughts being about the same child.

I can only blame "THE MEDIA". 

Reports of childhood obesity and the disturbingly unhealthy foods fed to our children (but not by us of course, someone else must be the problem) is alarming. Seeing obviously overweight children eating junk food while their parents look on has me wondering if it is possible that parents don't see their own kids as they are.

Counter that with the fact that my son eats randomly — a lot one day, barely any the next — and the fact his early dietary needs required close attention to make sure he had enough calories, and now I worry he isn't getting enough. Or is he and I am just an American with no reference for how much they need? Who knows?

So I see him with his ribs visible but adorable little stores of flesh above his hips I get confused. Fat or skinny? Big bad media has convinced me I can't trust my own judgement in terms of my kids' weight.  

A recent doctor visit ensured me he is right on track, so everyone can breathe easy about it — I know you worry about him as much as I do.