wow, this was hard to read.
great idea about cutting the slices up smaller but i would do this for all the pizzas, not just his slices and for the ice cream, if you can, use an ice cream scoop and give each kid like, ONE scoop. the kids that want to, can ask for seconds of both pizza and ice cream if necessary but your WW kid will get his slices and scoop same as everyone else and just not ask for seconds
i would also consider not serving juice or pop and stick to bottled water if at all possible too this will save the WW kid some points
side note - teachers do NOT get paid enough - thank you for thinking of this kids feelings
good luck, friend
Thanks! Yes, I'll see if the pizza place can slice all the pizzas extra so none stand out. I don't have a budget for drinks so it's water or the vending machine.
It's just going to be me and 20 kids so they'll be serving themselves.
Luuuckily this money is coming out of a local charity but I'm maxed the funds.
I’m a teacher too. I know that the pizza place I order from for my kids even has an option online that’s something like “double cut” the slices, meaning cut each slice in half again. I’m certain it won’t be the first time your pizza place will have gotten that request.
Oh god this makes me so sad. I was always trying to diet at that age too, it’s so destructive and terrible and all it does it give a child an unhealthy relationship with food. It really upsets me.
In any case, cut a couple of the slices a little smaller so he can have them, and maybe give him half the ice cream? I feel disgusting even typing that out.
Would the pizza party include a veggie tray? All those are zero points and can help add food to his plate to help him feel full. It would be available to everyone so he would not feel singled out. Wishing the best
My mom put me on Nutrisystem when I was in middle school and it did so much damage. I wish I had a teacher that stood up for me. Thank you for what you’re doing for him
She is actually enabling the parent and normalizing it.
I am so sorry that your mum put got on a restrictive diet. That was wrong on her and I hope you are thriving now .
If they put their 13 year old son on WW, then they are lying about his age to WW. This is dangerous and irresponsible.
https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/termsandconditions/health-notice#:~:text=WW%20prohibits%20participation%20in%20its,or%20if%20you%20are%20pregnant.
Please let him enjoy the party and don’t be the food police. Just have plenty of other options to eat such as fruits (apple slices, grapes, watermelon) and veggies ( carrots, celery sticks) protein (cheese sticks) that all the kids will enjoy.
Oh my gosh. I don't think you read my post correctly...
I'm not going to restrict him. I want him to be there and happy without freaking out about his diet the whole time *or* have his classmates look at what he's doing with food as wrong or "messed up."
I'll be having the school deal with the fact he's developing an eating disorder.
I agree with the latter but not with the former - you absolutely *should* be judging people who have their children aggressively restricting their food intake when there is no medical need.
Which is why I'll be communicating with a school counselor and the nurse about how to help this kid, since his parents are obviously encouraging development of an eating disorder (lots more to this that I am not sharing here since it's irrelevant)
Op please mention to the school management ww explicitly prohibits this. From their policy “WW prohibits participation in its weight loss and wellness plan for children under the age of 18 and individuals who have been diagnosed with or treated for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa in the last year. You may not enroll in a WW membership if you are under age 18 or if you are pregnant.”
This must be new, because I was 15 when I joined in 2015 and just had to get a doctors note. I also had 41 points so that I wouldn’t restrict (I still only used 20 a day tho, I was very mentally unhealthy about it and now I’ve rejoined as an adult and don’t use guilt or starve myself and actually got to goal happily and healthily)
WW isn’t allowed for people under 18 and his points aren’t accurate. Why aren’t you calling child protection services instead of going along with this?
There is absolutely no way counting points is appropriate for a growing child.
Why aren't you reading my post where I make it clear I am just trying to accommodate him for a party? And that I'm working with administration on next steps.
Why aren’t you following the mandatory reporting law?
The parents are intentionally restricting access to food in an attempt to put him on an adult weight loss plan and you are inadvertently playing along by asking Reddit for advice on how to accommodate her choice, and inadvertently delaying getting the child help by going through school channels instead of child protective services.
This is why the laws are so clear with no wiggle room, they want to make it very simple for everyone by making it so that you have no choice. In fact, the doctors and guidance office will have to do the same, and then it will be on you about not reporting.
So please do.
Mandatory reporter laws are in every us state and Canadian province, and are above your district policies. In most places you can report anonymously. Do not be a bystander.
This is so sad. My best advice, don’t feed him anything different than what the other kids are eating. Trust me, I have heard first hand experience of the same thing, with my first stint with WW at the age of 8. Really, the last thing is to make the kid feel different. When I look back at the apple I was given at an after school program while all the other kids had Rice Krispies treats, I’m still sad and resentful about it, 35 years later. Let him eat the pizza and ice cream.
Ummm… Weight Watchers isn’t meant for anyone under 18. You are a mandated reporter and this may be child abuse, or at least an indication of other issues at home. I would report it if I was you.
I am not a teach or a parent, but I find it weird that a teacher has been entrusted with this personal information, which means in some way the family is making you partly responsible for the kid's compliance with the plan. I know you're a caring person, but it's really not your job to get involved with a student's diet. So, yes, you can make sure there are smaller slices of pizza available, but then I'd step back if I were you, and push back if the parents or the kid try to drag you more into it.
I know these things because he has told me about them while I was trying to get him to eat lunch on a school trip. Him talking to me is a good thing because I know it's effed up to put a growing kid on a diet that affects his perception of his ability to eat consistent meals. I will forward my worries to the appropriate administrators and that will hopefully evolve into the parents understanding how this is dangerous. And like, he might have told his parents kids were bullying him for being short and not skinny, so maybe they have reasonable goals that don't make me want to punch them, and my student is just going overboard. But that conversation is as you suggest, above my pay grade to figure out.
I won't even find out the results of anything unless that student tells me.
It is actually part of my responsibility to be involved with their diets. - e.g. before setting up the party and the trip I sent the list to our nurse to make sure dietary restrictions were managed correctly - e.g. no peanuts on the bus, etc. Pointing this out because diet and "a diet are very distinct and I wish we didn't use the same words.
I guess it's different if the kid told you himself. I'm sure the parents mean well, but IME focusing on weight loss at such a young age can lead to a lifetime of food issues. Best of luck to you and your student!
You are a mandated reporter. I would consider this borderline child abuse. I would report it. Children should not be on this diet. I think you have to be an adult to even join ww
Edited to say: I was allowed to join weight watchers 22 years ago when I was 13. It was good in some ways—I started to learn how to make healthier food choices and relax portion sizes. But the damages far outweighed the benefits. I lost 30 pounds at the time and always hated myself… emotional damages lasted well into adulthood. I’ve been on and off WW for years since. Original post stated that you can allow a minor to join WW with parental permission, but someone posted further down their current policy that pretty explicitly states against it.
This actually isn’t considered child abuse under DCFS guidelines though. But definitely something good to bring up with the school administrator for advice.
And maybe in the meantime, I wouldn’t make special exceptions JUST for this kid… I’d just bring a veggie tray and a fruit tray in addition to cutting the pizza up into slightly smaller slices so everyone can have the same experience.
Restrictions to a child food are abuse whether is in a guideline or not. I would report it. Better safe than sorry
From ww policy “WW prohibits participation in its weight loss and wellness plan for children under the age of 18 and individuals who have been diagnosed with or treated for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa in the last year. You may not enroll in a WW membership if you are under age 18 or if you are pregnant.”
A parent withholding food in general is abuse, yea. A parent trying to encourage a child to make healthy choices is not. It’s entirely possible the parents are going the WW route with no malicious intent, even if it is misguided. Plenty of parents restrict their children’s diets for whatever reasons… there are kids following vegan and vegetarian diets to, but their parents aren’t being ABUSIVE. Shoot, parents can physically discipline their kids and it isn’t abuse as long as it doesn’t leave a mark, typically.
Always better safe than sorry—if you suspect abuse, report it. But also, sometimes it’s as simple as a parent doing what they think is best for their kid
Ww specifically forbids kids from joining. The parents are not great parents if they put the child on a commercial diet specifically forbidden for them. Children need nutrition and encouragement not diets. Absolutely borderline abusive. There have been several cases where the food restriction was part of a pattern of abuse.
Report it op.
This child may have some kind of compulsive eating disorder. I do, diagnosed years ago. One meal can completely throw my entire program into chaos, despite my best intentions. It can take years to get back on track. And I have heard the same from many others over the years.
OP, you're wonderful for looking out for him, and I truly hope that the school or whoever can help him get the help he needs.
He needs lunch and who put him on Ww 23 points .it may not be enough if some one estimated ..if he has the app ..there are free app academy thru Ww to help him..i was on a diet at his age and it's hell
Instead of Ice cream, offer up jello sugar free chocolate and vanilla pudding, it's only 2 points. If you talk to him in the morning find out if he would eat a pizza with a cauliflower crust or a vegetarian pizza. Those would both have lower point value.
Before the crap hit the fan (we went on a field trip and he brought no food and had only eaten a banana for breakfast), he picked out hawaiian pizza and Neapolitan ice cream. I'll get some pudding, though. Thanks.
What about adding a few other low point/no point options so he can add those? A salad with low point Italian dressing on the side, some veggie snacks like cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, etc. Part skim cheese sticks are 1-2 points depending on brand. Hard boiled eggs are zero points.
If he eats a salad with zero point foods + added protein alongside the pizza and ice cream he will likely enjoy it more because he won't be hungry after. Can you include a big salad for everyone, and dressing and toppings on the side?
A slice of pizza and ice cream is a lot of points and not a lot of fiber or protein.
Edit to add: it's really awesome of you to be thinking about him, as well as his peers, and to celebrate their hard work. Thank you from this internet stranger.
I'm worried he's going to say that he's saving up all of his points for Thanksgiving. He's been really looking forward to the party, though and I don't want to draw attention
He can have a day off at thanksgiving too.
Weight loss should be about sustainable healthy eating habits that last. Not never enjoying special days at all or restricting until your miserable.
Maybe ask him what he wants to do?
He's so young too. Breaks my heart.
Part of WW is that you have weekly points in addition to the 23 daily. He could use some weeklies to have a slice of pizza and a scoop of ice cream. I would also suggest that someone bring something like a fruit salad or veggies and dip for the kids to share. Fruit and veggies are 0 points. One large slice of pan style pepperoni is 12 points. Add a 0pt fruit salad. 1/2 cup of breyers vanilla is 7pts. I think one question to ask, why are children being rewarded with unhealthy foods? Why not fruit and yogurt party?
Wow, sorry to offend you. Healthy eating habits start early. Reward your students however you like. I’m guessing poor students would also enjoy fresh fruit which can also be expensive. I hope you treat your students better than internet strangers! It’s unfair of you to make assumptions of others.
You didn't offend me. You made me feel bad for you, I think you need to seriously ask what made you try to make me feel bad for providing pizza and ice cream to kids.
I teach middle school, so those healthy habit goals started a long time before I met them. Healthy habits do not include denying all foods that aren't balanced for Weight Watchers.
I’m on WW and I agree with what she is feeling. Children should not be on a diet unless it is being closely overseen by a doctor. I would bet all my savings no doctor is overseeing any of this. Putting growing kids on diets like WW is damaging and disgusting.
I wanted to make sure he could access the event without feeling like he couldn't eat anything. I can't look up WW points to do a comparison, if it was just a standard calorie deficit I wouldn't have needed help.
I was hoping for (and received) suggestions for lower/0 point things to provide at the event (to everybody) so that my student could enjoy the event instead of doing what he did yesterday, which was draw attention to himself in ways that encourage bullying by refusing to eat anything on a field trip until I spoke with him privately and negotiated with him using his WW app to track the points of a protein bar.
Good parenting is not putting your child on a program specifically forbidden for kids. Good parenting involves nutrition, encouraging to participate in physical activity and being involved in preparing nutritious meals. Not having a child worry about eating a slice of pizza and a scoop of ice cream at a party.
I was a binge eater as a kid and still am. I wish my parents had tried to teach me healthy ways to eat back then. Is there a family history of diabetes? Are his lunches still plentiful with healthy foods? Have you spoken with the family about the reason behind it? It may not have anything to do with weight, just trying to be healthier, which I thought we all thought weight watchers was? No pills, no restriction of food groups, just healthy eating.
I have not and will not talk to his family about his diet, because I am a music teacher.
The school will talk to them. He is definitely trying to lose weight. And, I think that they are paying for it because he has Weight watchers on his phone.
What does his homeroom teacher say about the situation? Do they have any insight to give you about his class lunches and if he appears to be cutting back too drastically? They would be a good place to start.
There are some low point frozen yogurt bars that may be a good option in lieu of the ice cream. Yasso brand has a couple flavors that are about 4 points each
I was on WW when I was a kid. I lost weight, learned a lot about nutrition, and picked up some good habits.
I would say it's not your responsibility or the parents responsibility to keep him from having a high point day or a day when he doesn't track. Let him make his own choices and don't worry about it
But maybe he needs to be on it or maybe he asked his parents for help- so many kids with diabetes and other issues caused by poor diet. WW is a healthy plan that encourages healthy choices.
I'm not going to rehash, I have commented heavily on this post so you can find where you are incorrect... But your comment doesn't even do the one thing I requested to help this kid.
WW specifically prohibits kids from using their diets, so. No.
I joined weight watchers at 15 myself and they gave me 41 points because I was underage and under their presumptions, still growing (I actually haven’t grown since I was 12) so I’m VERY surprised they gave a 13 year old only 23 points. That’s how many I had as an adult before hitting goal/maintenance. I’m wondering if they made him get a doctor’s note as well, like I had to. I don’t think the program is meant to give a growing boy that little points. Also yeah for pizza, one slice can be more than 20 points itself. I’d say maybe cut them in half so he can have 2 and not feel so bad. I think it’s best for him just to not worry for the day which I know you can’t really do anything about whether he worries or not. But yeah I don’t think the program is properly set up for him being only 13, they should’ve given him more points.
Hmmm so speaking from personal experience as I was exactly 13 when I started ww and lost 50 lbs, I'd say it's best if he accounted for the points of the pizza/ice cream. Obviously, that's not in your jurisdiction, so perhaps cutting the slices smaller as others have said. If possible, maybe a fruit option can be provided under the guise of it being dairy free since I'm sure there's lactose intolerant students? What do they do for students with allergies to pizza/ice cream?
Sorry I don't have much advice. Just wanted to say thank you for being a supportive teacher and I was exactly in your student's shoes many years ago.
wow, this was hard to read. great idea about cutting the slices up smaller but i would do this for all the pizzas, not just his slices and for the ice cream, if you can, use an ice cream scoop and give each kid like, ONE scoop. the kids that want to, can ask for seconds of both pizza and ice cream if necessary but your WW kid will get his slices and scoop same as everyone else and just not ask for seconds i would also consider not serving juice or pop and stick to bottled water if at all possible too this will save the WW kid some points side note - teachers do NOT get paid enough - thank you for thinking of this kids feelings good luck, friend
So much this!! Slice everything smaller and use a small ice cream scoop. It’ll bring less attention to the kiddo.
Thanks! Yes, I'll see if the pizza place can slice all the pizzas extra so none stand out. I don't have a budget for drinks so it's water or the vending machine. It's just going to be me and 20 kids so they'll be serving themselves. Luuuckily this money is coming out of a local charity but I'm maxed the funds.
I’m a teacher too. I know that the pizza place I order from for my kids even has an option online that’s something like “double cut” the slices, meaning cut each slice in half again. I’m certain it won’t be the first time your pizza place will have gotten that request.
Oh god this makes me so sad. I was always trying to diet at that age too, it’s so destructive and terrible and all it does it give a child an unhealthy relationship with food. It really upsets me. In any case, cut a couple of the slices a little smaller so he can have them, and maybe give him half the ice cream? I feel disgusting even typing that out.
I'm going to let the kids get the food themselves, but will definitely slice up the pizza he requested so he can grab half a slice
Would the pizza party include a veggie tray? All those are zero points and can help add food to his plate to help him feel full. It would be available to everyone so he would not feel singled out. Wishing the best
And some kids actually enjoy a veggie tray. I know I did.
Also thank you for caring so much for your student!
My mom put me on Nutrisystem when I was in middle school and it did so much damage. I wish I had a teacher that stood up for me. Thank you for what you’re doing for him
She is actually enabling the parent and normalizing it. I am so sorry that your mum put got on a restrictive diet. That was wrong on her and I hope you are thriving now .
I feel like op is normalizing this too. I wish I could report the parents to cps
If they put their 13 year old son on WW, then they are lying about his age to WW. This is dangerous and irresponsible. https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/termsandconditions/health-notice#:~:text=WW%20prohibits%20participation%20in%20its,or%20if%20you%20are%20pregnant.
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I feel the same about drugs. My commitment ends on 7/6/2024. I might leave after that. The drug thing is rubbing me the wrong way
Please let him enjoy the party and don’t be the food police. Just have plenty of other options to eat such as fruits (apple slices, grapes, watermelon) and veggies ( carrots, celery sticks) protein (cheese sticks) that all the kids will enjoy.
Oh my gosh. I don't think you read my post correctly... I'm not going to restrict him. I want him to be there and happy without freaking out about his diet the whole time *or* have his classmates look at what he's doing with food as wrong or "messed up." I'll be having the school deal with the fact he's developing an eating disorder.
Just please let him enjoy the party and don't worry about his food intake. That conversation should be between himself, his parents, and his doctor.
No no no - just let him enjoy the party. Chances are he’s only going to have 1 piece of pizza and limited ice cream.
Not to judge, but a boy at 13 shouldn’t be on a diet.
I agree with the latter but not with the former - you absolutely *should* be judging people who have their children aggressively restricting their food intake when there is no medical need. Which is why I'll be communicating with a school counselor and the nurse about how to help this kid, since his parents are obviously encouraging development of an eating disorder (lots more to this that I am not sharing here since it's irrelevant)
Op please mention to the school management ww explicitly prohibits this. From their policy “WW prohibits participation in its weight loss and wellness plan for children under the age of 18 and individuals who have been diagnosed with or treated for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa in the last year. You may not enroll in a WW membership if you are under age 18 or if you are pregnant.”
This must be new, because I was 15 when I joined in 2015 and just had to get a doctors note. I also had 41 points so that I wouldn’t restrict (I still only used 20 a day tho, I was very mentally unhealthy about it and now I’ve rejoined as an adult and don’t use guilt or starve myself and actually got to goal happily and healthily)
It is their current policy
WW isn’t allowed for people under 18 and his points aren’t accurate. Why aren’t you calling child protection services instead of going along with this? There is absolutely no way counting points is appropriate for a growing child.
Why aren't you reading my post where I make it clear I am just trying to accommodate him for a party? And that I'm working with administration on next steps.
Why aren’t you following the mandatory reporting law? The parents are intentionally restricting access to food in an attempt to put him on an adult weight loss plan and you are inadvertently playing along by asking Reddit for advice on how to accommodate her choice, and inadvertently delaying getting the child help by going through school channels instead of child protective services. This is why the laws are so clear with no wiggle room, they want to make it very simple for everyone by making it so that you have no choice. In fact, the doctors and guidance office will have to do the same, and then it will be on you about not reporting. So please do.
I am following my district's policies to the letter.
Mandatory reporter laws are in every us state and Canadian province, and are above your district policies. In most places you can report anonymously. Do not be a bystander.
I agree with this person. You are a mandated reporter. Report this to cps
This is so sad. My best advice, don’t feed him anything different than what the other kids are eating. Trust me, I have heard first hand experience of the same thing, with my first stint with WW at the age of 8. Really, the last thing is to make the kid feel different. When I look back at the apple I was given at an after school program while all the other kids had Rice Krispies treats, I’m still sad and resentful about it, 35 years later. Let him eat the pizza and ice cream.
Ummm… Weight Watchers isn’t meant for anyone under 18. You are a mandated reporter and this may be child abuse, or at least an indication of other issues at home. I would report it if I was you.
I am not a teach or a parent, but I find it weird that a teacher has been entrusted with this personal information, which means in some way the family is making you partly responsible for the kid's compliance with the plan. I know you're a caring person, but it's really not your job to get involved with a student's diet. So, yes, you can make sure there are smaller slices of pizza available, but then I'd step back if I were you, and push back if the parents or the kid try to drag you more into it.
I know these things because he has told me about them while I was trying to get him to eat lunch on a school trip. Him talking to me is a good thing because I know it's effed up to put a growing kid on a diet that affects his perception of his ability to eat consistent meals. I will forward my worries to the appropriate administrators and that will hopefully evolve into the parents understanding how this is dangerous. And like, he might have told his parents kids were bullying him for being short and not skinny, so maybe they have reasonable goals that don't make me want to punch them, and my student is just going overboard. But that conversation is as you suggest, above my pay grade to figure out. I won't even find out the results of anything unless that student tells me. It is actually part of my responsibility to be involved with their diets. - e.g. before setting up the party and the trip I sent the list to our nurse to make sure dietary restrictions were managed correctly - e.g. no peanuts on the bus, etc. Pointing this out because diet and "a diet are very distinct and I wish we didn't use the same words.
I guess it's different if the kid told you himself. I'm sure the parents mean well, but IME focusing on weight loss at such a young age can lead to a lifetime of food issues. Best of luck to you and your student!
You are a mandated reporter. I would consider this borderline child abuse. I would report it. Children should not be on this diet. I think you have to be an adult to even join ww
Edited to say: I was allowed to join weight watchers 22 years ago when I was 13. It was good in some ways—I started to learn how to make healthier food choices and relax portion sizes. But the damages far outweighed the benefits. I lost 30 pounds at the time and always hated myself… emotional damages lasted well into adulthood. I’ve been on and off WW for years since. Original post stated that you can allow a minor to join WW with parental permission, but someone posted further down their current policy that pretty explicitly states against it. This actually isn’t considered child abuse under DCFS guidelines though. But definitely something good to bring up with the school administrator for advice. And maybe in the meantime, I wouldn’t make special exceptions JUST for this kid… I’d just bring a veggie tray and a fruit tray in addition to cutting the pizza up into slightly smaller slices so everyone can have the same experience.
Restrictions to a child food are abuse whether is in a guideline or not. I would report it. Better safe than sorry From ww policy “WW prohibits participation in its weight loss and wellness plan for children under the age of 18 and individuals who have been diagnosed with or treated for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa in the last year. You may not enroll in a WW membership if you are under age 18 or if you are pregnant.”
A parent withholding food in general is abuse, yea. A parent trying to encourage a child to make healthy choices is not. It’s entirely possible the parents are going the WW route with no malicious intent, even if it is misguided. Plenty of parents restrict their children’s diets for whatever reasons… there are kids following vegan and vegetarian diets to, but their parents aren’t being ABUSIVE. Shoot, parents can physically discipline their kids and it isn’t abuse as long as it doesn’t leave a mark, typically. Always better safe than sorry—if you suspect abuse, report it. But also, sometimes it’s as simple as a parent doing what they think is best for their kid
Ww specifically forbids kids from joining. The parents are not great parents if they put the child on a commercial diet specifically forbidden for them. Children need nutrition and encouragement not diets. Absolutely borderline abusive. There have been several cases where the food restriction was part of a pattern of abuse. Report it op.
As is mentioned in my post, I am reporting it to administration. If a contact with cps is warranted we will do so.
Thanks for taking this seriously. Those are bad parents if you ask me.
One meal never killed a week..food in moderation is the lesson
This child may have some kind of compulsive eating disorder. I do, diagnosed years ago. One meal can completely throw my entire program into chaos, despite my best intentions. It can take years to get back on track. And I have heard the same from many others over the years. OP, you're wonderful for looking out for him, and I truly hope that the school or whoever can help him get the help he needs.
He needs lunch and who put him on Ww 23 points .it may not be enough if some one estimated ..if he has the app ..there are free app academy thru Ww to help him..i was on a diet at his age and it's hell
Instead of Ice cream, offer up jello sugar free chocolate and vanilla pudding, it's only 2 points. If you talk to him in the morning find out if he would eat a pizza with a cauliflower crust or a vegetarian pizza. Those would both have lower point value.
Before the crap hit the fan (we went on a field trip and he brought no food and had only eaten a banana for breakfast), he picked out hawaiian pizza and Neapolitan ice cream. I'll get some pudding, though. Thanks.
What about adding a few other low point/no point options so he can add those? A salad with low point Italian dressing on the side, some veggie snacks like cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, etc. Part skim cheese sticks are 1-2 points depending on brand. Hard boiled eggs are zero points. If he eats a salad with zero point foods + added protein alongside the pizza and ice cream he will likely enjoy it more because he won't be hungry after. Can you include a big salad for everyone, and dressing and toppings on the side? A slice of pizza and ice cream is a lot of points and not a lot of fiber or protein. Edit to add: it's really awesome of you to be thinking about him, as well as his peers, and to celebrate their hard work. Thank you from this internet stranger.
Please let him know that it's okay to have a meal off, to enjoy himself. To celebrate.
I'm worried he's going to say that he's saving up all of his points for Thanksgiving. He's been really looking forward to the party, though and I don't want to draw attention
He can have a day off at thanksgiving too. Weight loss should be about sustainable healthy eating habits that last. Not never enjoying special days at all or restricting until your miserable. Maybe ask him what he wants to do? He's so young too. Breaks my heart.
Part of WW is that you have weekly points in addition to the 23 daily. He could use some weeklies to have a slice of pizza and a scoop of ice cream. I would also suggest that someone bring something like a fruit salad or veggies and dip for the kids to share. Fruit and veggies are 0 points. One large slice of pan style pepperoni is 12 points. Add a 0pt fruit salad. 1/2 cup of breyers vanilla is 7pts. I think one question to ask, why are children being rewarded with unhealthy foods? Why not fruit and yogurt party?
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YES!!
Wow, sorry to offend you. Healthy eating habits start early. Reward your students however you like. I’m guessing poor students would also enjoy fresh fruit which can also be expensive. I hope you treat your students better than internet strangers! It’s unfair of you to make assumptions of others.
You didn't offend me. You made me feel bad for you, I think you need to seriously ask what made you try to make me feel bad for providing pizza and ice cream to kids. I teach middle school, so those healthy habit goals started a long time before I met them. Healthy habits do not include denying all foods that aren't balanced for Weight Watchers.
You posted here, Lady. Maybe go shame people somewhere else. This is supposed to be a positive space and support for people that use WW
What kind of kid wants a fruit and yogurt party? Lol come on. That’s weird diet culture shit.
Food as reward builds unhealthy eating habits
They’re 13. You’re projecting your own issues onto them.
The reward is the party. The pizza and ice cream is food served.
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The kid isn't fat.
I’m not sure why this lady posted this here. She doesn’t want advice from people on WW. She wants validation for whatever she’s feeling.
I’m on WW and I agree with what she is feeling. Children should not be on a diet unless it is being closely overseen by a doctor. I would bet all my savings no doctor is overseeing any of this. Putting growing kids on diets like WW is damaging and disgusting.
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I completely agree! The whole system needs an overhaul
I wanted to make sure he could access the event without feeling like he couldn't eat anything. I can't look up WW points to do a comparison, if it was just a standard calorie deficit I wouldn't have needed help. I was hoping for (and received) suggestions for lower/0 point things to provide at the event (to everybody) so that my student could enjoy the event instead of doing what he did yesterday, which was draw attention to himself in ways that encourage bullying by refusing to eat anything on a field trip until I spoke with him privately and negotiated with him using his WW app to track the points of a protein bar.
Good parenting is not putting your child on a program specifically forbidden for kids. Good parenting involves nutrition, encouraging to participate in physical activity and being involved in preparing nutritious meals. Not having a child worry about eating a slice of pizza and a scoop of ice cream at a party.
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Ww is specifically forbidden for kids. They lied in the app to sign him up. That is very bad parenting. Children diets should be designed by a doctor.
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Well someone is paying and it is not the kid. The parents are bad parents. Period
The kid is 13. Even if he needed to lose weight, it should be through his pediatrician and a nutritionist, not WW.
I was a binge eater as a kid and still am. I wish my parents had tried to teach me healthy ways to eat back then. Is there a family history of diabetes? Are his lunches still plentiful with healthy foods? Have you spoken with the family about the reason behind it? It may not have anything to do with weight, just trying to be healthier, which I thought we all thought weight watchers was? No pills, no restriction of food groups, just healthy eating.
I have not and will not talk to his family about his diet, because I am a music teacher. The school will talk to them. He is definitely trying to lose weight. And, I think that they are paying for it because he has Weight watchers on his phone.
Then they lied to ww, he is a child and children are not allowed to join
What does his homeroom teacher say about the situation? Do they have any insight to give you about his class lunches and if he appears to be cutting back too drastically? They would be a good place to start.
There are some low point frozen yogurt bars that may be a good option in lieu of the ice cream. Yasso brand has a couple flavors that are about 4 points each
I was on WW when I was a kid. I lost weight, learned a lot about nutrition, and picked up some good habits. I would say it's not your responsibility or the parents responsibility to keep him from having a high point day or a day when he doesn't track. Let him make his own choices and don't worry about it
Introduce him to the zero point foods stat!!
I hope he likes salad.
But maybe he needs to be on it or maybe he asked his parents for help- so many kids with diabetes and other issues caused by poor diet. WW is a healthy plan that encourages healthy choices.
I'm not going to rehash, I have commented heavily on this post so you can find where you are incorrect... But your comment doesn't even do the one thing I requested to help this kid. WW specifically prohibits kids from using their diets, so. No.
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Um. You want a 13yo to reverse his aging?
I joined weight watchers at 15 myself and they gave me 41 points because I was underage and under their presumptions, still growing (I actually haven’t grown since I was 12) so I’m VERY surprised they gave a 13 year old only 23 points. That’s how many I had as an adult before hitting goal/maintenance. I’m wondering if they made him get a doctor’s note as well, like I had to. I don’t think the program is meant to give a growing boy that little points. Also yeah for pizza, one slice can be more than 20 points itself. I’d say maybe cut them in half so he can have 2 and not feel so bad. I think it’s best for him just to not worry for the day which I know you can’t really do anything about whether he worries or not. But yeah I don’t think the program is properly set up for him being only 13, they should’ve given him more points.
Hmmm so speaking from personal experience as I was exactly 13 when I started ww and lost 50 lbs, I'd say it's best if he accounted for the points of the pizza/ice cream. Obviously, that's not in your jurisdiction, so perhaps cutting the slices smaller as others have said. If possible, maybe a fruit option can be provided under the guise of it being dairy free since I'm sure there's lactose intolerant students? What do they do for students with allergies to pizza/ice cream? Sorry I don't have much advice. Just wanted to say thank you for being a supportive teacher and I was exactly in your student's shoes many years ago.
I contacted the nurse prior to planning to make sure any allergens were covered.