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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have given her extra food?

928 replies

jerkorperk · 18/06/2024 19:52

Last week I looked after a friend's DC for an afternoon as she is going somewhere her DC can't.

I offered. No problem there

She was given a packed lunch when her mum dropped her off. I said there was no need but her mum just said 'oh no, honestly, it's fine'

Assuming fussy eater etc I didn't question it and just let her have her packed lunch. We had some lunch alongside her

She had finished what she had and asked if she could try what I was eating. I said no problem, of course. And gave her a plate. I said eat what you like and don't worry about leaving what you don't

She ate it all. And for all of us afterwards, I had a cake. It was a red velvet cake from Costco. It is really yum and a nice treat

She had a slice and then another slice because she enjoyed it. She left a bit of the additional slice. Again, a non issue

I got a harshly worded text from her mum that said 'Hi, Y said you gave her additional food after her lunch provided. In addition to this, she had gorged on a lot of cake too? Please in future can you stick to what I provide'

AIBU to think what's the big issue? Have I overstepped some mark I didn't know about Blush The little girl is 7. My own daughter is 2

OP posts:
IncompleteSenten · 19/06/2024 10:09

jerkorperk · 18/06/2024 20:18

I haven't replied at all

You should.
Something like don't worry, there won't be an in future because I don't help rude people.

StaunchMomma · 19/06/2024 10:08

I would reply and say something like 'Apologies if it has upset you but I am not comfortable say no to a child who requests some cake while others present are eating it, unless there are eg allergy issues. Probably best if you find someone else to mind her in future'.

You did her a favour and she's having a go because you let her kid have cake!

It's just controlling and weird.

diddl · 19/06/2024 10:08

If it was important for the child to eat what was provided & only that the mum should have said.

Idk what Op & her daughter were having, but I tend to cook at lunch & would feel a bit mean eating my main meal whilst the kid had a packed lunch.

I wouldn't have given 2 slices of cake after a meal.

SJC2015 · 19/06/2024 10:06

Maybe the 2 pieces of cake was excessive but everything else perfectly fine. I would rather my child fed and happy not hungry all afternoon. I have a 7 year old and some days the lunch that was provided would be enough for him, some days no way. Yesterday he ate (from 4pm -6.30pm) an ice cream, apple, grapes, dinner of spag bol with a second helping of pasta and cheese, another apple and then some crisps. That is after 2 breakfasts (one before school, one breakfast club), snack and hot lunch at school. Some days I can't keep up with it and some days he literally eats like a bird.

You were doing her a favour by looking after her child so I think as a one off she should have let it go.

FrenchandSaunders · 19/06/2024 10:05

A lot of people with a lot of issues on this thread.

The packed lunch sounds way too small for a 7 year old ... barely any carbs.

How can anyone can get so het up about the occasional over indulgence at someone else's house. Beyond weird.

Fair enough if you were her childminder.

The mum sounds like a control freak, don't look after her DD anymore. Rude.

Caiti19 · 19/06/2024 10:02

Really curious to know what was on OP's plate that was shared after the "chicken and grapes" lunch box.

BobbyBiscuits · 19/06/2024 10:02

I think the second slice of cake was overkill. Surely that could make someone queasy to eat that much? She may have moaned of belly ache, or refused her dinner when she got home.
I can't imagine you'll be wanting to do her mum a favour in future though. But I'd say one slice of cake maximum is probably a good rule to follow.

Ottersmith · 19/06/2024 10:02

Procrastinates · 18/06/2024 19:57

Gosh that's quite a lot of food in the space of an afternoon especially the fact she had two slices of cake on top of two meals.

I'm sure her mum was happy you could have her but I can see why she was a bit annoyed about the quantity of food she ate in just a few hours.

Also of course you can tell her she can't have any more surely you do that to your child too?

Do you tell a child to stop eating? Surely they will eat until they're full and don't need to be told to stop?

Lola2024 · 19/06/2024 09:59

Ottervision · 19/06/2024 09:49

What you mean is it's a rarity, as is this. It doesn't make it worse because it's not a birthday. It's still once in a blue moon.

I agree with the pp it very much depends on the size of the slice.

IMO a play date at a friend’s and a birthday are two different scenarios.

OP doesn’t state small pieces of cake so I’m presuming it was a normal helping in which case two pieces is excessive.

As I said adults in my life loved to over feed me and my siblings as children. We were obese. Bullied. We’ve never had a normal relationship with food. I can see why a mother would want some boundaries respected for her own child.

AegonT · 19/06/2024 09:55

I think offering a small amount of yiur lunch to try, one slice of cake a little popcorn would be fine. I wiuld be annoyed about a full plate of extra lunch and the second slice of cake. Some kids just eat till their stomachs hurt especially when sugar is involved.

Ottervision · 19/06/2024 09:54

Summertimer · 19/06/2024 09:52

I find it shocking that some people are jumping to the conclusion that a child has an eating disorder on the scant evidence we have here. The mum was well out of order, op did a grand job

Agreed. If the child does have an eating disorder, why on earth didn't her mum let op know?

PossumintheHouse · 19/06/2024 09:53

Christ, it's two pieces of cake. Two pieces! Who gives a shiny shit if she had an extra piece. Her mother sounds like such a fun sucker, it's surely not a regular occurrence.

Rebusmyfire · 19/06/2024 09:53

I'd be texting "there won't be future free childcare on offer after your last message"

She should inform you of allergies/medical info.

If she has issues about cake eating then I personally think it is a treat. End of.

We have a friend and when our children were younger, her daughters lived a strict healthy diet at home. But when they went to tea/other houses these children would raid cupboards and ask for treats. Needs to be a balance..

Summertimer · 19/06/2024 09:52

crockofshite · 18/06/2024 20:00

If she's eating her own lunch then hoovering up loads more food she might have some sort of eating disorder where she can't stop eating and doesn't realise when she's full. I do know someone who does this.

If so the mother should have said something to you when dropping off.

I find it shocking that some people are jumping to the conclusion that a child has an eating disorder on the scant evidence we have here. The mum was well out of order, op did a grand job

Katiesaidthat · 19/06/2024 09:49

Total non issue. Your "friend" can look for someone else for childcare. You didn´t do anything wrong.

Ottervision · 19/06/2024 09:49

Lola2024 · 19/06/2024 09:45

No but it’s a special occasion. Even then two pieces is excessive.

What you mean is it's a rarity, as is this. It doesn't make it worse because it's not a birthday. It's still once in a blue moon.

I agree with the pp it very much depends on the size of the slice.

Hb7x3 · 19/06/2024 09:48

Lola2024 · 19/06/2024 09:41

Two pieces of cake is excessive.

Watching me gorge on food as a child was pleasurable to the adults in my life. Battling a lifetime of obesity from childhood has made me miserable at times.

I think you went too far with the amount you gave her.

Why do you think 2 pieces of cake is acceptable? Plus the cakes from Costco are junk food crap and I wouldn't want my kid eating this unless it was a birthday.

If you had given my child a bowl of strawberries this would have been fine.

It's ONE day of eating 2 pieces of cake out of thousands of other days where she doesn't.

She didn't even finish the cake, which shows she has self control already.

Kinshipug · 19/06/2024 09:46

Lola2024 · 19/06/2024 09:45

No but it’s a special occasion. Even then two pieces is excessive.

Depends how big the pieces are surely?

Lola2024 · 19/06/2024 09:45

Ottervision · 19/06/2024 09:42

Does cake get healthier on birthdays?

No but it’s a special occasion. Even then two pieces is excessive.

PossumintheHouse · 19/06/2024 09:42

What a wanker.
If you had refused to give her child any more food, I bet you would have received a "Y said she was hungry yesterday" text.
Tell her that it won't be a problem "in future" because you won't be doing her any more favours.

Ottervision · 19/06/2024 09:42

Lola2024 · 19/06/2024 09:41

Two pieces of cake is excessive.

Watching me gorge on food as a child was pleasurable to the adults in my life. Battling a lifetime of obesity from childhood has made me miserable at times.

I think you went too far with the amount you gave her.

Why do you think 2 pieces of cake is acceptable? Plus the cakes from Costco are junk food crap and I wouldn't want my kid eating this unless it was a birthday.

If you had given my child a bowl of strawberries this would have been fine.

Does cake get healthier on birthdays?

determinedtomakethiswork · 19/06/2024 09:41

Hatty65 · 18/06/2024 19:57

I'd be texting back, 'I think in future you would be better to ask someone else to do you a favour and look after your child. That way neither of us will be feeling resentful towards the other'.

Yes, very good message

Lola2024 · 19/06/2024 09:41

Two pieces of cake is excessive.

Watching me gorge on food as a child was pleasurable to the adults in my life. Battling a lifetime of obesity from childhood has made me miserable at times.

I think you went too far with the amount you gave her.

Why do you think 2 pieces of cake is acceptable? Plus the cakes from Costco are junk food crap and I wouldn't want my kid eating this unless it was a birthday.

If you had given my child a bowl of strawberries this would have been fine.

MrRydersParlourGame · 19/06/2024 09:35

Hatty65 · 18/06/2024 19:57

I'd be texting back, 'I think in future you would be better to ask someone else to do you a favour and look after your child. That way neither of us will be feeling resentful towards the other'.

This is a perfect message.

Honestly, some people need to get a firm grip of themselves. The number of relationships apparently being ruined by parents unable to apply a bit of perspective to a single day of unusual over-eating or unhealthy eating is what is actually causing harm. If you know your children generally eat moderately and good quality food while in your care, there is absolutely no need to over-react like this to any possible aberration when someone had been kind enough to look after your child.

I have a child who on some days will pack away food to the point I genuinely can't understand the physics of where it goes, and on other days will just pick at bits of meals before racing off again to play. The former (surprise, surprise) usually comes ahead of a sudden growth spurt. He's perfectly slim and healthy. And utterly spoilt with treats when his grandparents visit. As it should be.

Ohwhereohwherearemykeeeeys · 19/06/2024 09:35

Ottervision · 19/06/2024 09:33

..... I'm really not het up and nothing in my post suggests i was. I just don't agree with you.

Cool

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