Dear Home Insemination Kit,
My in-laws have always been obsessed with fad diets since I met them. While I didn’t think much of it before, it’s become a real issue now that I have kids. They’ve been projecting their fatphobia onto my children by scrutinizing their snacks and pushing exercise routines. My partner and I have made it clear that we don’t want this for our kids, but it seems to go in one ear and out the other.
Since we’ve resumed visits post-pandemic, their obsession with weight has intensified. Recently, my kids spent a weekend with them, and when they returned, they told me Grandma thinks they should go keto. Seriously? She even made them run laps around the neighborhood before having snacks. What should I do? I’m close to cutting off contact entirely.
Oh, I can only imagine how distressing it must have been to hear about your kids’ weekend, which sounds more like a boot camp than quality time with grandparents. Turning food and exercise into a form of punishment is not just unhealthy—it’s downright wrong. Grandparents should provide a space filled with love, snacks, and fun, not pressure.
You need to have a serious conversation with your in-laws. If they can’t keep their fatphobic beliefs to themselves, then they shouldn’t be spending time with your kids. It’s essential for them to understand that kids should never have to feel self-conscious about their bodies or eating habits while at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
While I can empathize with your in-laws being products of a toxic diet culture, it doesn’t excuse their behavior. Forcing kids into a keto diet? Absolutely unacceptable. Food should be a source of joy, not a reward system. There are plenty of healthy, kid-friendly foods they could stock up on that wouldn’t lead to an atmosphere of judgment and restriction.
Making your kids run laps before they can enjoy a snack is simply cruel and needs to be addressed. I hope they can be open to discussing their harmful views, possibly even with a professional who specializes in nutrition or mental well-being.
If the situation doesn’t improve, I’m truly sorry that you may have to consider limiting their time with your children. It’s a tough decision, but your kids’ well-being must come first.
Resources for Further Reading
For more insights, you might find this post on home insemination interesting, as well as this resource on IVF and fertility preservation. For further information, Rockville MD has some great advice too.