What should parents do when they see signs of an eating disorder in their child?
Though it is the child s job to recover, it is the job of the parent to provide permission and the opportunity to do so. Take charge, not control, until the child is capable of assuming responsibility for his or her own self-care. Learn whether and when to intervene. Stay involved with the child who needs support and understanding, modeling effective and proactive problem solving. Don t back down; persist in the face of your child s resistance to recovery. You can t tell him what to do but you can tell him how you feel. Become involved in the treatment process. Find the best professional help from clinicians who will involve and embrace parents as part of the treatment team. Parents may need to become involved in symptom management in this age of managed care and limited professional care. Provide limits for the out of control child and a good example in your own relationship with food. Provide nutritious, balanced meals and eat them together with the family. • Why are eating disorders
Though it is the child s job to recover, it is the job of the parent to provide permission and the opportunity to do so. Take charge, not control, until the child is capable of assuming responsibility for his or her own self-care. Learn whether and when to intervene. Stay involved with the child who needs support and understanding, modeling effective and proactive problem solving. Don t back down; persist in the face of your child s resistance to recovery. You can t tell him what to do but you can tell him how you feel. Become involved in the treatment process. Find the best professional help from clinicians who will involve and embrace parents as part of the treatment team. Parents may need to become involved in symptom management in this age of managed care and limited professional care. Provide limits for the out of control child and a good example in your own relationship with food. Provide nutritious, balanced meals and eat them together with the family. • Why are eating disorders
