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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this is a fine dinner for 5 year old?!?

88 replies

Abneyandteal19 · 15/04/2024 17:44

Older DS had swimming until 6pm one day of the week.
Usual dinner time is 5pm.
Younger DS swims 4:30-5 but then has to wait until 6pm for older one then by the time he gets dressed and home it's 6:30 which is when younger DS has story and wind down for bed at 7pm.

So rather than 'waste' the time he has to sit around and then have a late tea/bed I have started to take his dinner to swimming so he can eat whilst older DS swims.

Today it was spag Bol (in one of those keep warm flasks) a large size fromais frais, pot of strawberries and a biscuit.
So a bit more sugar than usual but he has just swum and it's only one day per week.
He seems happy with this!

Older DS eats when we get home as he doesn't go to bed until later.

Family members are telling me this is awful- he can't eat dinner in the swimming pool cafe (!?) and it's really weird behaviour! there's no option of buying a fresh dinner at pool as it's only a Starbucks type cafe.

He gets so tired if he stays up late and also doesn't eat well when tired.

What do you think? AIBU??

OP posts:
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DraigCymraeg · 18/03/2025 18:31

It's a member of OP's family, sticking their beak in!

Nanof8 · 08/11/2024 19:13

You anbu. Your family is.
It sounds like a lovely dinner. Better than just taking a cheese sandwich 🥪.

Growlybear83 · 16/04/2024 02:21

If you're buying a coffee for yourself in the cafe, then I really can't see a problem with giving your son his dinner in the cafe, or with the food thst you have given him.

SD1978 · 16/04/2024 02:11

As long as there is an actual area to sit and eat with a table and there isn't food being flung all over chairs, absolutely it's the best use of time. It becomes slightly annoying when there is nowhere to sit to eat and food ends up all over the floor/ chair, but this way you get DS gets to eat and then go to bed without it all being a rush and being overtired.

caringcarer · 16/04/2024 01:53

When we're in a rush to get to cricket training I precook a chicken breast chop it into 4 pieces and put it into a wrap with salad and DS eats it on the way to training. The training goes on and on. On the way back he'll eat a pepperoni stick and an apple. When he gets home he quickly does homework then it's shower then bed.

SammyScrounge · 16/04/2024 01:09

Sorry you have solved a problem

SammyScrounge · 16/04/2024 01:07

He's happy; you've a problem and you're happy.

paulhollywoodshairgel · 16/04/2024 01:04

I think that's a really good idea! Ignore people. If it works for you, carry on ❤️

Mumtobabyhavoc · 16/04/2024 00:08

Athlete here... I take healthy food with me if I can't get home in time to eat properly. You are doing the right thing for your son. My toddler is in gymnastics and I have milk and a healthy snack to give before the drive home as it's nap time by then.

Original poster
Abneyandteal19 · 15/04/2024 23:26

Lol! Mine always put their Pyjamas on after swimming! So yes eating dinner in their PJs in the cafe! I'll keep that one to myself I think so as to not cause any more shockwaves!!

OP posts:
goingdownfighting · 15/04/2024 23:01

Well I'm sure they won't mind taking DS2 swimming in the evening so you can take the younger one home to eat if they are that concerned.

chloechloe · 15/04/2024 22:55

If you want to shock the critics even more, use my tip of dressing the kids in their PJs after swimming to save the hassle of getting them ready for bed at home. I used to do that with mine after late swimming lessons 😂

SkyBloo · 15/04/2024 22:48

Shinyapple lots of kids get cold swimming. Warm food helps get energy back.

SkyBloo · 15/04/2024 22:47

I did exactly the same thing (spag bol in thermos!) For a few months for exactly the same reason. If i didn't, DD was too tired to eat when we got home, then would wake up at midnight hungry.

Its a perfectly acceptable meal.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 15/04/2024 22:47

I suspect that if family members suggested this was odd was because you have gone to the trouble of putting Spag Bol into a flask to eat poolside whereas most people would have just made a cheese sandwich . Which is also perfectly fine for a child's dinner once a week - add a few carrot sticks if you want.

78Summer · 15/04/2024 22:44

Sounds perfect to me.

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 15/04/2024 22:43

Totally fine and makes sense. Nothing worse than a hangry kid!
Where I live loads of people bring tea to the swimming baths for afterwards if they haven't managed the holy grail of getting all the siblings the same swimming slot!

Soozikinzii · 15/04/2024 22:41

Sounds very healthy to me . Home cooked food . Loads would pick up a Macdonalds ! People can just butt out with their interfering busy body ways. I bet they always remember those meals out of the flask when they're grown up .

YaMuvva · 15/04/2024 22:39

Haha they’re mad! It’s absolutely fine. I used to do similar and DD would have Diary Lea lunchables and a Barney bear cake 😂 she’s older and now slim and athletic, it didn’t kill her!

Applescruffle · 15/04/2024 22:39

Bearpawk · 15/04/2024 22:38

Your child is loved and fed. With a home cooked meal. Tell them to eff off.

So much this!!

Bearpawk · 15/04/2024 22:38

Your child is loved and fed. With a home cooked meal. Tell them to eff off.

Applescruffle · 15/04/2024 22:38

Not only would I do this, I also wouldn't get him dressed after swimming, he'd go straight into his PJs and have his dinner in them, in the cafe, so he's ready for bed when we get home. Wonder what your family would make of that?

misszebra · 15/04/2024 22:35

tell them all piss off. I bet they're not all the picture of good health either

Original poster
Abneyandteal19 · 15/04/2024 22:33

Thanks all! I don't know why I entertained the thought actually that's a very good point and you are all correct that they are not offering to help!

Not a stealth blast at all! They eat McDonalds! But we live semi rural and the nearest one is in the opposite direction to home and would almost certainly result in younger one falling asleep!!

Those who said can you bring your own food to the cafe- I don't know I'm guessing strictly speaking no- but half the kids in their have packed lunches and the cafe doesn't offer any sort of 'meal' only cakes and coffee. I do buy a coffee so not like I don't spend money there. It's also the only place to watch the pool so people sit there without buying a thing!

I also have fond memories of post swimming vending machine and cafe chips!! But nowadays it all fancy energy drinks in the machines and a very odd M&M machine?? Plus Starbucks and Costa instead of all the old school cafes where you could get toasted sandwiches and chips!!

To be honest family members thing I'm crazy to not let him eat when we get back as they generally think I put them to bed crazy early - it works for us and my younger DS is one of those kids who really needs his sleep- he sleeps 7-7 90% of the time! So I think this is where it's coming from really. I shall ignore any future comments from them.

Also I don't usually tell them everything but they happen to be here today collecting something when I was preparing the packed tea- couldn't exactly hide it away!

Thanks all and I'll carry on as I was! Spag Bol Mondays at the leisure centre are here to stay! Grin

OP posts:
Feellikeafailurenow · 15/04/2024 22:31

I used to always take hot food in a flask or a “picnic” in nicer weather so sandwich, fruit etc for my younger too when my oldest was at clubs. They’ve ate in the “waiting room” bit or in the car on many occasions & it never did them any harm. When they got a bit older and times changed dinner was when we go home but usually just beans on toast on those nights.

dinner sounds fine, it’s home made & better than a lot of things. Don’t see how anyone can have a problem with it but it’s not anything to do with anyone else so just ignore them