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Original poster

How would you feel if you're 7 yr old had eaten..

67 replies

dameofdilemma · 29/05/2019 21:23

Bowl of crunchy nut cornflakes
Chunk of cheese and packet of crisps and fruit juice
Giant bag of choc buttons and fruit shoot
Mac Donald's veg burger and fries and juice

In one day.

Dd is at GMs for the week (we need the childcare and they both love seeing each other). I don't want to ask what she's eaten the rest of the week but pizza and ice cream were mentioned.

I don't want to hurt MiLs feelings, she's lovely and we're grateful but am also now worried about dd being there over the summer hols and gorging on junk food.

Am planning on speaking to dd (we talk about sugar rotting teeth and importance of 5 a day etc) to try to get her to make choices for herself when she's down there. But she's 7. She won't say no if someone buys her a big bag of chocolate!

OP posts:
Original poster
dameofdilemma · 29/05/2019 21:49

Thanks all.
Dd is down there the whole week so it's not a one off exactly (it's the whole week) but it's only school holidays. (Because of the distance it's not feasible for dd to just be down for a weekend). MiL is a great cook so there'll be some home cooking in amongst the junk!

I do worry a bit because dps brother, SiL and niece are very overweight (with related health issues). i just want dd to understand basic nutrition, nothing banned but everything in moderation etc.

To the poster who wondered why I asked for a breakdown, I didn't. Dd couldn't wait to tell me all the treats she'd had!

OP posts:
Pepperama · 29/05/2019 21:49

I remember stays at my grandma’s with great fondness, not a vegetable in sight! Sensible food at home though so I don’t think it’s done any harm. Depends how often they are there I guess, every week may be a problem, just holidays, I’d let it go

BornInAThunderstorm · 29/05/2019 21:49

Dm often helps me out during school holidays and I supply a packed lunch. She tends to eat a lot of convenience food and if I don’t send a lunch she buys junk for Ds.
I also really don’t think she should be financially responsible for feeding him lunch for nearly six weeks in a row.
Maybe consider making packed lunches or putting an extra portion of last night’s dinner in tupperware for grandma to reheat for Dd

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Pixie2015 · 29/05/2019 21:50

Perfect holiday treat day - when back home just continue to give her healthy eating info as you eat and don’t mention food at gran’s house.

BornInAThunderstorm · 29/05/2019 21:50

Oh cross post, she is there all week.

cdtaylornats · 29/05/2019 21:51

The poor child - going to MacDonalds and getting a veggie burger

LynetteScavo · 29/05/2019 21:52

My 9yo once spent the day with FIL learning how to place bets on horses and eating nothing but pork chops, mashed potatoes and many jam donuts.

I didn't freak out because I figured DH had turned out OK, and DS and FIL had probably had a day of bonding. and I appreciated the free childcare

FWIW, DS is now vegan and never places bets, but has a close relationship with his grandad.

Silversky70 · 29/05/2019 21:52

I just say things like, can you please try and get some veg into them. Bit of a hint without seeming controlling.

Oomph · 29/05/2019 21:53

I think there is an unnecessary amount of sugar and processed food in every single meal. She could drink water instead, and have no more than a sugary drink a day. Also, nothing wrong with snacking on fruit.

I think a one off is fine, a whole week would bother me. We are becoming an increasingly fat and unhealthy country, and modelling good eating habits is part of the solution.

mathanxiety · 29/05/2019 21:53

It wouldn't bother me. Sometimes overdoing it and experiencing the consequences can be worth far more than talk of healthy eating.

A growing child who eats healthy food at home 50 weeks of the year won't suffer as long as there is physical activity too.

Fedoratheexploreer · 29/05/2019 22:02

It wouldn’t bother me at all, if that was what they ate every day I’d be concerned but for a one off every now and then it’s fine. It won’t do any harm

hoteltango · 29/05/2019 22:02

I'd probably be seen as a bit of an old meanie, but normal rules do apply in this grandparent's house.

Spoiling grandchildren is about giving them loads of attention, not loads of sweets and chocolate.

ceebeejeebies · 29/05/2019 22:03

Apart from the big bag of chocolate I don't see the problem, if it's a one off or even every day this week 🤷🏻‍♀️
I saw people complaining about the sugar content of rice crispies on here earlier, some people are so over the top.

Usuallyinthemiddle · 29/05/2019 22:07

I'd think "thank goodness it's only a week" and hope she enjoys it!

ThursdayLastWeek · 29/05/2019 22:09

I would feel uncomfortable with that as a daily insight into a week of over indulgence!

I’m sure I’ll get told off for being a killjoy, but I don’t see why grandparents need to 'buy' love with food when most kids just want to BE with them!

ThursdayLastWeek · 29/05/2019 22:09

hoteltango said what I mean, but better

Iggly · 29/05/2019 22:10

It would bother me yes.

A lot of people I know who say “it’s a one off” probably feed their kids like this more than once a week. Which is a bit more than a one off.

Too much crap!

IHateUncleJamie · 29/05/2019 22:12

“Giant bag” of chocolate buttons is a lot, I’m surprised your dd didn’t feel a bit sick.

Everything else - meh, wouldn’t worry me. Both my lovely Grannies spoiled me when I was little (much more and much nicer food than I got at home). Be grateful for the childcare; it’s a week, that’s all.

Maryann1975 · 29/05/2019 22:16

There is an obvious breakfast there, and an obvious tea. What was the other meal? Was it cheese, crisps and chocolate buttons? Or was there another meal in there that was healthier so your dc didn’t mention it as it was ‘normal’ to her?

I can see why you are worried, especially if the dc are going for the majority of the summer holidays too, but I think you have to weigh up the need for free childcare with healthy eating. Are the grandparents open to hints about making sure the dc have at least one piece of proper fruit each day?

GrassIsntGreener · 29/05/2019 22:20

Meh...one off - let him enjoy!

GrassIsntGreener · 29/05/2019 22:21

Sorry, her

MollysMummy2010 · 29/05/2019 22:29

I can eat a giant bag of buttons no problem- bugger all in them these days!!

Chickoletta · 29/05/2019 22:30

I believe that there's no such thing as a bad food, only a bad diet. My kids eat healthily for the majority of the time and so I'm relaxed about treats, holidays etc. I also agree with PPs that if you're getting free childcare, you'll have to tread carefully about laying down the 'rules'.

PurpleGlitter1983 · 29/05/2019 22:33

Chuffed LOL

StillMe1 · 29/05/2019 22:34

Of course, if you are so concerned about what your child eats you could stop working and spend every minute of every single day calorie counting and making sure food was totally balanced. If you get yourself into a position where you can not possibly stay at home and mind your own child you have to allow Grandma to get on with it.
My grandmother would give me a saucer of sugar with either a banana or an orange and I am still alive