People say that little kids never have a filter and will always tell you the truth. Let me tell you that this is the truth. Growing up as what my children peers perceived as “chubby” was absolutely ruthless. I was always told how I looked in outfits whether I wanted to or not. I felt like there was no place to hide from their comments.
I remember vividly being told in the third grade, “Haley, maybe you should go up in that shirt size” when I was wearing my mom’s shirt. While at the time I did not want to show them that I was hurting, I ran home and cried anyway.
I was so embarrassed by everything that I did not want to tell my parents. I hid it from everyone.
This always made me second guess what I was wearing . This was a daunting thing that haunted me growing up.
I think these occurrences can be faulted to several things. Body Image as well as the way people perceive each other.
Body image is something that I will always struggle with. But as the years pass, I get better with my mindset.
However, the way people perceive each other have a long way to grow. I think in general people in this world categorize kids and adults being heavier as a negative thing. People seem to pray on those who are bigger than themselves.
Weight should not be perceived as anything other than a personal choice.
I just wish I could teach some of the world to be kinder.
Unruly Bodies 
I’m so sorry you experienced that at such a young age, the world’s obsession with weight has greatly spiraled out of control. This obsession hurts adults, but does such horrible things to children who are growing up in a world that is teaching them that the number of how much your body weighs is such a horrid thing to do. This issue has caused so many kids to develop eating disorders or even anxious eating habits, there worth is placed on weight and appearance and it destroys self esteem. Children are growing, they NEED food, this obsession with weight has even impacted infants. Parent’s who will disregard a small infant crying for food with “they’re face is so chubby, they’ll be okay.” it’s dangerous. I’m so sorry you were made to feel like your body was too big, that you needed to hide it, no one should be made to feel this. I also hope the world learns to be a bit kinder, we can’t force everyone to be a little more aware of their comments and mistreatment of others, but people like you are planting the seeds of kindness that will bloom a beautiful garden.
Kids can be very cruel, and to be honest, once they get to that point, it’s not really telling the truth anymore, but rather their biased opinions that they got from following the crowd. Honestly, if you don’t fit into the crowd, you will stand out and be pounded by those who think you should “fit in”. And who really cares if you’re a little overweight, people need food, and it’s your body, your rules. I’ve seen people destroy themselves because they were caught up in following society’s perceptions, and it’s even worse for pageant kids who have to follow guidelines and standards for how they should appear. We can only hope people get kinder, but it will not happen instantly.
I feel as if children are ignorant to that filter themselves, which leads a lot of parents to be the center of blame, which in my opinion is accurate the majority of the time. Children learn what they are taught and when something such as degrading a classmate isn’t learned as wrong, or even an opportunity for one to learn what degrading means for the first time, instead most comments such as the ones you’ve experienced are swept under the rug. Which is extremely impactful and not to mention a very wrong way, if there is any, was to raise a child let alone a potentially grown adult. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so sorry you had to go through that during your childhood. this world’s fixation with people’s weight has significantly gotten too intense. This fixation not only harms grown-ups, but children too. On the off chance that you don’t fit into the crowd, you’ll stand out and will be knock down by others to “made to fit in”. This fixation around weight is an issue has caused so numerous kids to develop eating disorders or/and self harmful behaviors.
I have experienced similar circumstances in the past, and it is a terrible thing to reflect back upon and for that I am sorry you had to go through it also. When children see others who do not fit the “norms” of our society, they can be cruel because seeing individuals different from themselves is scary. I use the term norms loosely in this context since in the first place, the standards set are quite ridiculous and unrealistic to attain, especially for kids. Therefore, the mindset of bullying should be fixed, as it is perfectly normal to be individuals of all shapes and sizes; not just one type of body construct. For me, even today I too worry about the clothing I wear and how shirts or skirts hug my figure. I prefer oversized or quite loose clothing so that nothing is revealed, a preference due to past negative experiences from not only childhood, but throughout all of my life. However, it is okay for us to wear what we want also: sometimes I step out of my comfort zone and put on clothing that makes me feel cute! Recently, I have held down the feelings of shame and started wearing things that make me feel simply beautiful, and I hope you will be able to experience the same thing.
As a past, and kind of a present, chubby girl, I felt this on a very personal level. Being told those condescending comments when younger really hurts your self-esteem and makes you want to hide from the world. The funny thing is that, yea you hear that from kids (because for some reason most us when younger were spawns from hell), but those comments were also told by us from adults. But I LOVE that your mindset has changed and you are viewing yourself in a different manner. The best part in growing out of your discomfort is finally wearing the things that make you happy.
I truly felt this on a very personal level, once being very big in size. I faced scrutiny for my appearance from peers and even family members. Kids of course were the worse , its funny how unfiltered kids can be , in Jamaica when I went to school there for the summer I was coined the nickname “Fatta” , it’s funny when I look back in retrospection but in the moment it did affect me but it also shaped me in a manner to start appreciating myself and caused me to shape my body and learning my body. It is sad that love is not the foundation of every kids mind and the words they say yet it truly helps build a strong mental. Lovely post!
I’m so sorry that this is something you had to go through! The fascination other people have about people’s weight is mind boggling to me. If that is all you have to talk about, it’s probably you that has no life. It is something that needs to stop because just a few words could essentially ruin/take people’s lives. I loved your post and hope the world can somehow become kinder!
I’m sorry you had to go through such sad things. Unfortunately, we’ve all been through it. Elementary school is where people receive the worst bullying because everyone just says what’s on their mind. What’s even sadder about it is that kids are supposed to be innocent and happy, but some kids grow up sad with poor self-image and hate themselves because of it. Another thing I felt is the personal choice comment. People will really bully you over something you have no control over and it is really sad. The worst part is that you are stuck with whatever it is for life.