What are those needles in the fridge? my 11-year-old, Nell, asked, peering at the boxed Ozempic medication that I had not-so-discreetly placed on the top shelf of our refrigerator.

Oh, theyre Mommys new medicine, I said nonchalantly, frantically trying to figure out how I would approach the fact that Im taking a somewhat controversial weight loss medication with my preteen daughter.

That night I knocked on Nells bedroom door while she was getting ready for bed. I asked if she wanted to chat about the medication she had found. We ended up snuggled in her bed while I explained that my doctor had recommended that I take the medication because it would help me balance my blood sugar.

Im healthy, but the medication will help me be even healthier, I explained. At this point, Nell didnt know what Ozempic was, and she hadnt seen any videos online or heard about celebrities using the drug. We focused on my desire to grow stronger and healthier, and I explained that one of the side effects is that my body could change.

I love my body now, and Ill love my body if it changes, I explained. With my 9-year-old, I had a similar conversation. We agreed to keep the line of communication open, and over the next few months we did. Sometimes I was extra tired, and Id explain that was one of the side effects of my medication. When we saw a commercial on TV for Ozempic, we talked about the messaging of the commercial and why the media was talking about the drug more and more.

Not everything the media says is true, I explained, which led to a deeper analysis of media literacy.

We learned about this at school, Nell added.

After six months, I decided to go off of Ozempic for a variety of reasons: my insurance wouldnt cover it, and the side effects were impacting my quality of life. My kids didnt ask, so I didnt mention that Id stopped taking it until they randomly noticed the medication had disappeared from the fridge.

How to approach semaglutide and weight-loss conversations with kids.

Nicole Roder , a board-certified therapist in Columbia, Maryland, has personal and professional experience in navigating these types of tough conversations with your kids: Roder was also prescribed a semaglutide in the past. I try not to tell parents what they should or shouldnt do. That being said, I do think its appropriate to tell your kids if youre taking a semaglutide like Ozempic, Roder told HuffPost.

Roder recommends having an age-appropriate conversation with your children. For older children who have been exposed to different media about Ozempic, its best to keep the communication lines open.

The best way to balance these perspectives is to foster open dialogue so you can know what theyve heard and provide corrective information if necessary. I recommend letting them ask questions. That goes for any touchy subject, not just weight loss drugs, Roder said. She added that you can also ask open-ended questions, like What have you heard about this medication?

Roder said that she kept an open conversation with her own children while she was taking a semaglutide and that she explained the medication was prescribed to help improve her health. Her children mainly wanted to know if the needle hurt.

Its best to keep this conversation about health and not body image, said Roder. Talk about your health reasons for taking the drug and the health benefits you hope to gain.

She added that its important to prioritize a healthy outlook on body image with your children. Never make disparaging comments about your body, and focus on positive comments, like your strong arms or the fact that your stretch marks are a reminder of the joy of bringing your kids into the world, she said.