When (not if) your child gets a school assignment steeped in diet culture, here are some steps you can take (a thread):

1: Take a deep breath. You might be filled with fear or rage, and that& #39;s okay. Take some time to get to a slightly calmer place before taking action.

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2: Send a *brief* message to the teacher to set up a time to talk. "I have a question about a recent assignment--would you have time to chat?"

Note: Writing the long email rant might feel good in the moment, but it& #39;s not usually very effective. (Guess how I know?)

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3. Start a conversation with your child by asking questions. "What do you think about that story/math problem/worksheet?"

This is a great opportunity to build their critical thinking and to share your family& #39;s values about how you talk about food and bodies in your home.

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4. Talk with the teacher (in person or by phone/video) and focus on *your concerns about your child.*

Assume good intent and remember: health and science curricula are heavily influenced by old beliefs about weight and nutrition. Teachers are victims of diet culture, too.

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More sample scripts:

"I& #39;m worried this story might make it seem like it& #39;s okay to tease my son because of his weight."

"My child is at higher genetic risk for an eating disorder; it& #39;s scary to see an assignment that encourages disordered behavior around food or exercise."

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Educators are lifelong learners, but that doesn& #39;t mean you should show up with a pile of articles.

If the teacher doesn& #39;t ask you for more info, you can always say, "I& #39;ve been learning a lot about this myself lately. I& #39;m happy to share some resources if you& #39;re curious."

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