On the road to a healthy lifestyle for 11-year-old Nova

Last spring, Ramona, divorced mother of Nova (11), was in the thick of it. Nova was unruly, having tantrums, not listening, eating whatever she felt like and getting heavier and heavier. Combined with a busy job, it was asking too much of Ramona. She was fed up, and worried, too. "What if Nova got bullied at school because of her weight or behavior?" says Ramona. It was time to break the cycle and get help. "When I came home from work I regularly found a house that looked like it had exploded, and when I said something about it all Nova could do was yell at me. My sister pointed me to youth services, and I went after that."

Completely out of control
Nova went to a child psychologist to learn how to control her emotions. For it was not only at home that things got out of hand, but also at school. "Nova would sometimes call me dozens of times a day, and if I didn't answer immediately, she would go crazy. Then she would be in the hallway at school, unable to control herself. At work I often just couldn't pick up, but I couldn't make that clear to her. This also happened over and over again with her father," Ramona looks back.

A lot calmer at home
With help from the psychologist, things are going much better now. "It's a lot calmer at home," Ramona says. "Nova is happier and can put her feelings into words better. We both desperately needed that." The psychologist then pointed mother and daughter to Keigezond Kerkrade and they signed up with the central care provider. Central care provider Lauren from Keigezond Kerkrade helps them on their way to a healthy lifestyle for Nova. She regularly talks with Ramona and Nova about what is needed. For example, Ramona has had conversations with a parenting support person. Lauren: "I see what is needed and involve other social workers where necessary. Of course all in consultation with Ramona and Nova, because it is all about them feeling better about themselves. Nova's weight is certainly not the main focus, because losing weight is not the goal in this program. It's about health in the broad sense."

Plain girl clothes
After the mental journey, the time is now ripe for the children's lifestyle coach. He will guide mother and daughter in choosing a good diet and regular exercise, but will also look at relaxation and sleep patterns. A total approach. Nova: "I used to play tennis and now I want to play soccer. I'm just a little scared that I can't do it properly because I'm too heavy. And I would really like to be able to wear normal clothes, just like my friends. Now the normal girl clothes don't fit me and I have to store in the women's department with my mother."

Healthy future
So Ramona and Nova still have some steps to take, but are already on the right track. Before Nova goes to high school, they are trying to lay the groundwork for a healthy future. "Later I want to work with animals," Nova explains, "because I love animals. Cheetahs are my favorite animals, and of course my own hamster Chocolate!"

Want to know more or sign up directly for the program? Check out keigezondlimburg.nl.