hasunoha

Feelings of guilt for children born small

Hello.
I'm the mother of a son who will soon be 3 years old.
At the time of pregnancy, I was suffering from a neurosis called an eating disorder (overeating and vomiting), so I had almost no nutrition, and I was only able to gain 4 kilograms of weight even before pregnancy.
As a result, my son was born with a low birth weight of 2100 grams.

It is said that low birth weight infants due to lack of maternal nutrition are much more likely than normal to suffer from adult diseases such as diabetes or myocardial infarction in the future.

Since I learned about this, every day is a good feeling filled with regret and regret.
I can't get it out of my head that just because I wasn't able to fix my eating disorder, it had an adverse effect on my son's future. When I think in my stomach that I must have been really hungry, it also seems like I was abusing myself.

My symptoms have calmed down now, but I'm also full of regret that only I am healthy.

I am more nervous than necessary about children's meals because I want to prevent future adult diseases. Because of that, the couple even got into fights.

How should we come to terms with this sense of guilt going forward?
I would appreciate it if you could teach me.

4 Zen Responses

The precious “life” of “personal suffering”

This is a question where I feel a deep love for parents and children, and I hope I can help you even a little, and I will answer it.
Life is full of regrets. However, your “life” “has suffered personally (carrots), and it has already been accepted. Buddhism is hard to hear, and I'm already listening to it.” That's it. This is a phrase that comes up at the beginning of Miki Yorifumi, and it shows that we are “living,” and even though it is difficult to be born as humans, we are now blessed with the opportunity to listen to Buddha's teachings even though it is difficult to encounter Buddha's teachings. Also, your child's “life” is a “life” of “personal suffering,” similar to your “life.” The length of “life” varies from person to person; “life” that disappears before birth; “life” that disappears overnight at a young age; “life” that disappears in the midst of youth; and “life” that disappears after a full life. Every “life” is precious, and it is an irreplaceable “life.” Such “life” always goes hand in hand with “death.” “Death” is not far beyond “life,” but “life” that is here and now is along with “death” that may appear here and now. So, living through the “life” given here and now to the fullest is probably the way to make the most of the “life” given to each person. Also, I think the most important thing is for families to support their children so that they can live the irreplaceable “life” they have here and now to the fullest.

Have you forgotten the joy of having your own child?

Su-san, don't you feel too much debt to your son when you read your question?
I had a great relationship, and my son was born to you. Let's think more positively.
Kids are sensitive. My son will eventually sense Su-san's feelings as they are now.
At that time, there is also a possibility that my son himself feels indebted to him.
I love my mom, Susan, the most, so maybe my constitution and presence are hurting my mom?
My son may have this feeling.
If you're around 3 years old, you can also start lessons. How about letting them learn swimming or gymnastics to gain physical strength?
And as a mom, I work hard to support my son. If my mom loves my son, I will definitely do my best to respond to her support.
A mother's love for her child is free. We often think of a mother's free love as charity, and compare it to the Buddha's power of mercy.
The mother is the child's best understanding, supporter, and ally.
And the strength of a child is a source of support and greatest gift for a mother.
A person's value is not determined by how big or small they look.
Let's surround our son with Su-san's great motherhood and love, and support him with all our might.
I'm sure your son will have a wonderful life.

There's only one thing I can do...

Thank you for your hard work, Su-sama
I'll tell you what I think
I would be happy if you could use it as a reference

Thank you for raising children every day!
How is your child
I can't help but regret the past
The fact is that I have a son
Isn't that just a thank you
You've been a mom for 3 years
That's also amazing
Praise yourself!

What we can do now is in the future
Please don't regret it in the future and give your son a lot of love from you
Please turn that power of regret into love
If you do that, I'm sure my son will be able to have a wonderful life...

Gassho

My nickname when I was in kindergarten was “skulls.”

“... there is a high probability of suffering from adult diseases such as diabetes or myocardial infarction in the future...”
You can't do it because you blindly believe and adopt only ↑.
There are many more positive opinions. Let's adopt that one.
In fact, there are cases where they are growing well even when they are born underweight.
You must be still craving the nutrients you need. Let them drink back novicles or cocoa protein.
My friend Kosakichi, who fasted when he was 14, currently has osteoporosis. It seems like nutrition is important when you're young.
There are a lot of cases where people get cancer at a young age but are completely cured and live to an age above average age.
My neighbor, Gin-chan (70s), suffered from diabetes and wasn't doing well, but recently her complexion has been very beautiful. There are times when it's better to get sick, say chuko.
It will happen, don't worry.
Incidentally, my nickname when I was in kindergarten was “skulls.”
It seems that his bones were really sticking out. how slim he was, wasn't he? I envy you.
It seems that the parents were worried that “this child will definitely starve to death.” The person himself is worried about his parents, etc., where is the wind blowing.
Also, when she was in college, she ate too much from Tenkaippin, and she surpassed her chubby level. The nickname given to it is “bouillon”! What is bouillon! (Angry) At least if it's an animal or something with a shape, it's still the base for soup, so bouillon.
It is natural for beautiful boys who were thin to eat fried rice set meal+rich (large) at Tenichi. The girl on the back of the motorbike was also too big around her stomach and said, “My hands... I can't reach them! (Looks like it's falling off)”.
After losing weight again at the ascetic dojo, De Niro also changed his weight drastically. I'm currently fat and “master” (retired sumo wrestler type). (The photo was taken about 3 years ago. Everything is impermanent! body weight too)
When I went to the doctor and was examined, they said, “You're too fat,” and that wasn't the name of the disease or anything, they probably just said it like that (review). And now, parents seem to be worried that “this child will pass away before Zettai.”
Bottom line: don't worry. Well, aside from parents' worries, it's something that comes to pass.
I also want to go back to the “skull” era.
At some point, every human being will be like that.
So let's get some real “peace of mind” while we're alive.
That is the greatest value of studying Buddhism.
Please use this as an opportunity to seek out the essence “bouillon” (real thrill) of Buddhism.