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Why do people enjoy giving little children junk food?

306 replies

Tietheapron · 18/03/2023 08:43

I am very much in favour of balance in all areas. DS is two. At the moment, we haven’t got a massively fussy stage - there’s a handful of things he doesn’t seem too keen on and I imagine this will probably expand as he gets a bit older before then (hopefully!) getting a bit more variety. So to give an example, on Thursday he had porridge for breakfast and then a rich tea biscuit at a music group we go to in the morning. Then had to go into the bank so he had to go in the pushchair - had a banana to keep him quiet! As a result all he wanted for lunch was maybe half a ham sandwich and a few baby crisps. Then homemade pizza with veg on for tea. I’m explaining this so it’s clear I don’t completely raise him on fruit grown from the garden and eggs from our own chickens.

But then this morning he ate a bowl of shreddies and then DH gave him a biscuit, actually going in the kitchen to get him one (so not like DS found them and hoovered one up.) Visit PIL and they try to ply him with mars bars and ice creams, big ones for adults. (We don’t see PIL often, not for this reason as they are actually lovely people but they aren’t local.) Brother came to see DS and took him for a walk in the park, ignored the water bottle and bought him a fruit shoot and fruit pastilles.

I don’t want to sound like a neurotic mum here and I’m sure plenty of people will say to get a grip, I’m lucky people are nice to DS but I suppose this is my question really - why does kindness and love have to be shown through food? Isn’t it enough to go to the park with him, to read to him, play in the garden (they do this too!)

I hate sounding like a killjoy but I really don’t want him associating everyone but me with junk food!

OP posts:
Tiddler39 · 18/03/2023 23:27

DataScienceNoob · 18/03/2023 19:38

Awww it's a shame you're withholding nice things. He'll grow up binge eating sugar and carbs if you continue on this path.

Poor lad!

Strike a balance. And brush his teeth well.

OP’s not ‘withholding’ nice things ffs. She’s just objecting to her 2yo (2!!) being given full-sized Mars bars and fruit pastilles.

Also, nice doesn’t have to = processed. We shouldn’t be teaching our kids that only junk food is nice.

ÉireannachÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ · 18/03/2023 23:28

Weallgottachangesometime · 18/03/2023 09:01

My parents feed my children sweets/fizzy constantly and did me as a child. If I’m honest I think it’s a lazy way to try and make them happy. Doesn’t require effort.

many many people use food as a ‘treat’ or ‘reward’. I do actually. It’s a really hard mindset to get out of.

This

Tiddler39 · 18/03/2023 23:29

It shows the lack of education in this country that some posters think the only problem with sugar is that it rots your teeth.

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PurpleFlower1983 · 19/03/2023 00:18

IMustDoMoreExercise · 18/03/2023 10:43

That is so sad. Your family are killing your kids and unfortunately there is not much you can do without completing falling out with them. I really feel for you.

I think the message for the most part has got through but my mum just doesn’t seem to understand what moderation is herself, my Aunt is the same. They love me and the kids d

PurpleFlower1983 · 19/03/2023 00:20

Posted too soon!

They love me and the kids so much but think they have to show it with food. I think for my mum it came from her dad, who again was a lovely man. I’m trying to break the cycle.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 19/03/2023 10:29

PurpleFlower1983 · 19/03/2023 00:18

I think the message for the most part has got through but my mum just doesn’t seem to understand what moderation is herself, my Aunt is the same. They love me and the kids d

Yes, they do love you all, but they are killing your kids with treats. They think that they are being kind but they are not.

When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, sweets and especially chocolates were expensive so it wasn't an issue. Now, they are so much cheaper compared to other things so most people can afford them.

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