DON'T
1.) Do not urge your children to eat, or watch him or her eat, or talk about what they have been eating, or how much they weigh. Leave room if necessary.
2.) Do not allow yourself to feel guilty. Don't think to your self "What have I done wrong?" Remember there are no perfect parents. It is his/or her problem not yours. Take a day off from watching what they eat and how much of it they get.
3.) Do not neglect your marriage partner or other children because of your own kids. People can talk to you and help you through this time too.
4.) Do not be afraid to have your child away from you. Let them go to friends or to other places that will get there minds off things it will help.
5.) Do not put down your child by comparing him/or her to more "successful" siblings or friends.
Do
1.) Love your child as you should love yourself. Love makes anyone feel special.
2.) Trust your child to find his/or her own values, ideas and standards.
3.)Do everything to encourage his/or her independence.
4.) Be aware of the long-term nature of the illness.
Recourse: Capital Region Association For Eating Disorders, Albany, New York