1. Watch What You Say to Your Teenager
Stay away from discussions about food, recipes, weight or fad diets. You don't have to avoid conversations about food entirely, but try not to steer your teenager toward obsessive thinking about it. Notice how your body image issues affect your child. Avoid conversations about your own weight and how close you are to getting to your goal weight. These discussions send a mixed message and may come back to haunt you during the recovery process.
2. Talk to a Pro
Your teenager may not want to listen to you, but he or she may respond to an authority figure. Consult with a doctor, nutritionist or counselor to create a daily menu for gaining weight. Speak with a professional about what you can expect during the recovery process. You may be in for several months of irritability, extreme fatigue, problems concentrating and other symptoms. Knowing these symptoms are normal may give you peace of mind throughout the recovery process.
3. Find a Support Group
Sign up for an anorexia support group in your area. You may already be signed up for family counseling, but group therapy is your chance to communicate with other parents and share coping skills. If you're tired of feeling like this disease is your fault, or you're tired of being patient, you may meet another parent who has been where you are. If your teenager is having trouble putting on the pounds, support group members may have suggestions for you.
4. Creating House Rules
Set boundaries and stick to your convictions. Be prepared to be the bad guy if your teen acts out. Using the Internet to research diet techniques or share pictures with other anorexics should be banned completely. Consider a reward system that includes additional cell phone usage for gaining 1 pound. You may want to speak with a counselor before developing a reward system so you don't send the wrong message.
