School uniform and benefits

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

CharmCaster wrote: »

That is for the child's parent(s) and GP to consider, not strangers on an internet forum that she may have access to.

Well, if she's got to over 40% bodyfat within a few months of puberty, I would suggest that the parents obviously haven't considered it enough and they need telling on an anonymous internet forum, as obviously nobody cares enough to tell them to their face that they're harming her and have been for a very long time.


I can't see why a 14 year old would be reading a thread about how unfair it is that there aren't clothing grants, written by her parent. She's probably more concerned with what the other kids are going to shout at her, not whether she has full uniform or not, or how she is going to catch up on months of missed education.

CharmCaster

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Well, if she's got to over 40% bodyfat within a few months of puberty, I would suggest that the parents obviously haven't considered it enough and they need telling on an anonymous internet forum, as obviously nobody cares enough to tell them to their face that they're harming her and have been for a very long time.


I can't see why a 14 year old would be reading a thread about how unfair it is that there aren't clothing grants, written by her parent. She's probably more concerned with what the other kids are going to shout at her, not whether she has full uniform or not, or how she is going to catch up on months of missed education.

Kids are rather more computer savvy than their parents (quite often) and curious with it. There are any number of potential reasons for her size, none of which were the question.

FBaby

It drives me mad this whole 'let's protect our children from ever hearing the word 'fat' or they shall be traumatised for the rest of their lives' business.

The reality is that this child is most likely severely overweight. It isn't a crime, it doesn't make her dirty, or ugly, or unworthly of love and attention. It makes her just what she is, overweight and in need of help to tackle it. Her mum seem to think she is only a bit big. Maybe, but at 14, 5'3'', quite unlikely it is only puppy fat.

Hopefully her parents are doing something to help her and that's great. If not, maybe reading wouldn't be the worse that could happen to her. Again, being overweight doesn't make you a bad person in any way.

CharmCaster

FBaby wrote: »

It drives me mad this whole 'let's protect our children from ever hearing the word 'fat' or they shall be traumatised for the rest of their lives' business.

The reality is that this child is most likely severely overweight. It isn't a crime, it doesn't make her dirty, or ugly, or unworthly of love and attention. It makes her just what she is, overweight and in need of help to tackle it. Her mum seem to think she is only a bit big. Maybe, but at 14, 5'3'', quite unlikely it is only puppy fat.

Hopefully her parents are doing something to help her and that's great. If not, maybe reading wouldn't be the worse that could happen to her. Again, being overweight doesn't make you a bad person in any way.

Being told in a responsible manner by a person appraised of all the facts and in a position to give an informed opinion, wouldn't drive me mad either. Being told by strangers on a forum when I asked about something else entirely, would.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

CharmCaster wrote: »

Being told in a responsible manner by a person appraised of all the facts and in a position to give an informed opinion, wouldn't drive me mad either. Being told by strangers on a forum when I asked about something else entirely, would.

There wouldn't have been a problem with getting uniform had the child been a healthy weight for her height. Just the cheap stuff from Asda would have done.

And other than Prader-Willi or elephantitis, what other explanations do you have for a child consisting largely of fat?

It doesn't make the child a bad person.



But the person responsible for her health and nutrition?

Saturnalia

The OP said her daughter had a DD cup bust. That could quite reasonably make her a size 18 on the top half without her necessarily being fat elsewhere. If she also has hips in proportion, that would be why little-girl-shaped trousers & skirts don't fit her either.

miduck

Saturnalia wrote: »

The OP said her daughter had a DD cup bust. That could quite reasonably make her a size 18 on the top half without her necessarily being fat elsewhere. If she also has hips in proportion, that would be why little-girl-shaped trousers & skirts don't fit her either.

No, it's the 38 back that makes her a size 18 - normal/ average size teenage girls do not have a 38 back. And proportionate hips would be due to being overweight. We are not talking about her fitting into "little girl" sizes, but teenage girl/ young woman sizes.

Sorry to be blunt, but this is clearly an issue that needs addressing now. I was overweight as a teenager, so I know from experience that the problem will only get worse if it is not addressed.

GlasweJen

This child is so large that a standard school uniform doesn't fit.

Her parents have moved to a new area without a job between them and can't afford to buy her the same uniform that everyone else will be wearing.

The teenager has been out of education since October (no mention of being kept caught up at home).

So what you've got is an overweight, behind in the curriculum "new kid" who will turn up on the first day with the "wrong" clothes on and have to try find her place in a school half way through the year - if this isn't cruel then I don't know what it really. This poor teenager might as well turn up wearing a target, let's hope she stumbles upon the "shy kids" ok her first day or she is in for a very hard few years of high school.

Blackpool_Saver

Yes, my first thought was for goodness sake don't send her
in something different from the other kids. I would go so far as to look at similar aged ones walking home and see how they WEAR the uniform too, she will be finding it hard enough to fit in

bubblegumcola

Definitely don't be looking in the kids section for schoolwear, your daughter is in an adult ladies size. My daughter wears ladies sizes from M&S, she is a size 12 but only 15, the actual school skirts in M&S are, in her opinion (and mine), far too short! Lots of supermarkets and shops do a petite section if she is shorter but bigger sizes. Just search for workwear, basic skirts/trousers and blouses. Have you got any outlet shops nearby which would help reduce the initial outlay? If I were you I would just buy one skirt or pair of trousers and 2 blouses until you can afford anything else. Scour local newspapers in the ads/try freecycle or similar to see if you can get secondhand uniform with the school logo.