Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Shiningout · 15/04/2024 17:52

Why are you telling people this shit I honestly wouldn't bother, who cares it's spag bol ffs not crack laced chips. How anyone could have a problem with spaghetti bolognese for a child once a week is beyond me. Even if it was fast food once a week it's really not an issue

Crispsandcola · 15/04/2024 17:51

Your family members are the awful thing here - sounds like you go above and beyond to provide a good hot meal and preserve your youngsters routine. Ignore them.

PollyPeep · 15/04/2024 17:51

This sounds fun, and exciting for your son! I guess the only issue is if the cafe doesn't allow you to bring your own food in. But sounds good to me!

Mumaway · 15/04/2024 17:50

We always take a packed tea to swimming as they swim one after another at teatime. Sandwiches of their choosing (as they make them), crisps or popcorn, fruit and yoghurt. Don't have an issue with yours or my options for hungry children!

desperatedaysareover · 15/04/2024 17:50

Healthy food when he’s hungry and not too tired to eat it, nooo, alert social services. I see loads of kids doing this sort of stuff at after school activities admire their parents’ organisational skills.

Iwrotethelyricstoaxlf · 15/04/2024 17:49

Used to do the same while DD finished her gym session slightly early to her friends when we carpooled.

something in a flask (so hot for her) and then a dessert of some sort.

Noyesnoyes · 15/04/2024 17:48

Sounds great!

Ignore others.

redalex261 · 15/04/2024 17:48

This sounds fine, and s lot better than a McDonalds on the way home (not awful once a week either!!😬) If they feel he needs a family sit-down dinner after swimming maybe they could pick him up at five and serve it up? Thought not!

YesIminbedsowhat · 15/04/2024 17:48

The only family member I would even discuss this with was the child's father - what business is it of anyone else?! If their dad has a better idea then he can help make it happen. Mind you I bloody hate swimming lessons so I might be unreasonable...

It's better than a McDonalds on the way home isn't it?

Honestly, no one else's business. Unless perhaps they're offering to pop round to the pool, collect him, give him a home cooked meal and return him?

Grumpynan · 15/04/2024 17:47

I don’t see it’s a problem, it’s a home cooked meal not as if you’re taking him for burger every week. My children are grown now, and it’s things like this they remember as being an adventure.

ScruffGin · 15/04/2024 17:47

I can't see any problem with that at all!

Cadela · 15/04/2024 17:46

Oh my god please ignore. That sounds like a fab dinner, plus post-swimming the sugar is good for replacing energy.

I wouldn’t even judge if you got maccy d’s on the way home. Tell your family members (who I guess don’t eat perfect food all the time) to shove off

StarlightLime · 15/04/2024 17:46

Are you allowed to bring your own food to the cafe?