“I have three children: two boys and a girl under 12,” she writes. “The two boys take after their father; tall, slim build, big in to GAA etc. My daughter, however, takes after my side of the family and is heavier than other children her age. She is not sporty, but still has the same appetite as her brothers, especially when it comes to treats.”

Having struggled herself with her weight, the mother does not want her daughter to go through the same battle. However, she is reluctant to ban treats from the house in case it leads to the children having “issues” with food, and she doesn’t want to “force” her daughter in to sports when she really doesn’t enjoy them.

“However, she is making her Communion next year and I am afraid her weight is going to become a big deal when we go shopping for her dress,” she continues. “She is a beautiful, loving and talented child, but I want her to be healthy and happy too.

“What can I do without making a big deal of her weight?”

Miriam will share her advice in the next edition of Irish Country Living, on shelves Thursday 23 October, but what would you do in this situation?