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What can we as grandparents do?

(40 Posts)
Debbi58 Wed 23-Jul-25 19:41:56

It could be anxiety/ nerves. With everything going on in her life .

Shelflife Wed 23-Jul-25 18:29:02

The best thing you can do is make it very clear to her that you are are there for her. Speculation on what is happening is dangerous. She is under huge emotional stress just now and will benefit from some stability from you. I wish her well, good luck.

Septimia Wed 23-Jul-25 18:13:35

Whether or not she has an eating disorder, it's pretty obvious that the situation with her parents is upsetting. Presumably she feels adrift.

What can you do? Try to provide stability, a place where she's safe and welcome (even if you can't have her to stay with you) and where she can keep things that are important to her if she wants to. Just be there for her until her life settles down again. You could also encourage her dad to keep her informed about what is going on as that should help her to cope.

BlueBelle Wed 23-Jul-25 17:43:31

Sorry i wrote too quickly I shouldn’t have said anorexia but eating disorder
She sounds as if she is controlling her food intake because she can’t control anything else in her life at the moment

Smileless2012 Wed 23-Jul-25 17:37:32

You need to raise this with her father CountessFosco. He may be agreeable to you talking to her about this but you need to talk to him first.

I hope between you, you'll be able to find out what the problem is and help your GD. Good luck flowers.

JaneJudge Wed 23-Jul-25 17:36:46

if she has an eating disorder it needs to be dealt with quickly, no pussy footing around.
Speak to her parents and she needs to be taken to the GP
If help isn't forthcoming, prepare to pay privately if you can

Esmay Wed 23-Jul-25 17:33:37

Sounds like bulimia .
Poor girl-it's all too much for her .
I would tell her parents .
Can she stay with you ?

whywhywhy Wed 23-Jul-25 17:33:00

You need to speak to her parents first. The whole divorce might be triggering something else in the poor kid. It does sound like anorexia. Hugs.

V3ra Wed 23-Jul-25 17:31:45

That behaviour suggests bulimia to me 😕

BlueBelle Wed 23-Jul-25 17:27:23

Well it doesn’t sound like an upset stomach to me I would be much more worried about anorexia especially as so much negative stuff is going on in her life I think you need to leave it to the parents to sort with her (unless they have asked for your help) but I think you ve answered your own question,,,, she’s been working hard for her 10 GCEs, her mum and dad are splitting up and moving so of course she is in shock, upset, frightened , everything is moving from under her feet and she has no control over any of it and she doesn’t know how to handle it so she is unconsciously looking for something she she can control which is her own actions (her food intake) so that’s what she’s doing without even realising it
You say ‘we noticed’ so I presume your son has noticed this is happening too…….is he approachable to talk to ?

kittylester Wed 23-Jul-25 16:48:51

What visgirl said.

Visgir1 Wed 23-Jul-25 16:44:44

I would tell her parents, in case they weren't aware, and ensure my home is her safe constant space.

With Exams and problems with her parents, having to move home it's probably a nervous stomach? She's had a lot to take on at one time.
Hope she will be fine.

CountessFosco Wed 23-Jul-25 16:40:25

We have not yet spoken to our DS regarding our concerns, but are no longer in contact with our DiL

Jaxjacky Wed 23-Jul-25 16:35:38

What do her parents say? I’d be careful and take their guidance.
If it was your child my advice would be different.

CountessFosco Wed 23-Jul-25 16:30:35

Our elder GD, 16 and just finished 10 GCSEs has started to rush to the loo immediately after eating. At first we thought this might be an upset tummy but it is happening so frequently nowadays, alarm bells are starting to ring. Her parents are in the throws of a divorce, selling the house, with each moving temporarily into rental property.
Question is, we are terribly saddened at this development and wonder what we can do to help the young lady? She has always been sensitive, is intelligent, hard-working and has many friends. So what has made her like this? Or is this a question no-one can answer?