Dear Chat Daddy,
I’m worried about my 9-year-old grandson. He’s a good boy and does well in school. Here is my problem. Because he’s an only child, his parents will buy him a lot of those video games, and I’m in fear of him not ge
Dear Chat Daddy, I’m worried about my 9-year-old grandson. He’s a good boy and does well in school. Here is my problem. Because he’s an only child his parents will buy him a lot of those video games, and I’m in fear of him not getting enough exercise. When I talk to his parents about the fact that I think he’s becoming too fat from always playing video games, they tell me that I’m blowing things out of proportion. I’m a school teacher, and I see on a daily basis how many children suffer from childhood obesity and how cruel other children can be to the heavier children. -Worried Over His Lack Of Exercise
Dear Worried Over His Lack Of Exercise, Thank you for this letter. I can fully understand your concern about your grandson not getting enough exercise at his age. The issue of childhood obesity has gotten out of control in our children. For various reasons, our children are not getting enough physical exercise and that’s sad. The average child spends at least three to four hours each day watching television or playing video games, which reduces the amount of their actual physical activities. Obesity is greater among children and adolescents who frequently watch television and only play video games because little energy is expended, and most of them gorge on high calorie snacks in the process. I would suggest that you talk again with his parents and let them know that you are concerned about your grandson’s overall health and well-being. Maybe you can encourage the entire family to get together, as a unit, for outside physical activities like roller skating, bowling or even family walks together. Here’s to you and yours all living a healthy life together.
Dear Chat Daddy, I’m a 28-year-old female who’s been dating a guy for six months now. He is a single father of a 6-year-old (bratty) daughter that he is raising alone. We met at a cookout and quickly became friends with a lot in common. Then it moved to a romantic relationship. About a month ago, he confessed his love for me and asked me if he and his daughter could move in with me because he wants to take our relationship to the next level. Chat Daddy, last week I asked him in a passing conversation what he thought our relationship should look like (I’m thinking marriage). He said to me, “It’s up to my daughter to make that choice if I will stay with you or not.” At first, I thought he was joking until I posed the question again and got the same answer. I am devastated over the fact that this man would let his snotty 6-year-old daughter make or break our relationship, because the child is an out-of-control mess. Should I give up on this relationship before we get in too deep? -I Can’t Take Little Ms. Know-It-All
Dear I Can’t Take Little Ms. Know-It-All, Ok sister, is this relationship really worth it? If you and this man’s daughter do not get along, then this relationship is not going to work. Here is my first question to you. Where is her mother? The way I see it, he is telling you directly that his daughter is in control of his life and his relationships. Brother man may be telling you that he loves you, but he is extremely torn. He is also telling you that there is going to be a few strings attached by giving you a plausible excuse to accept the rules of his bratty child, too. This man is letting his child control him on purpose. Something is definitely wrong with this picture. You need to tell him it’s been fun, but you need to move on to find someone who is a bit more stable and who is not letting their child control their relationships. Here’s to you meeting someone who can love you without a hidden agenda or a frustrating factor standing in the way of you gaining your committed and healthy relationship. Be encouraged.
Art “Chat Daddy” Sims can be reached via e-mail at chatdaddy@chicagodefender.com.
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