To not feed DC food provided by my DF?

[Notmycircusnotmyotter]

My father is wonderful. He's also elderly with poor eye sight and low energy levels. When I was growing up everything was cooked from scratch but now when DC (4 and 2) visit he buys god awful pasta-based ready meals for them. I just don't eat while there. I get it - it takes the stress out for him and when it's a bit of lunch every other week I don't mind them eating rubbish.

We're staying over tonight. He's gone out for an hour. Am I awful for not cooking the horror shows he's bought for them and instead making some plain pasta with veg from the fridge?

other details - my mum died when I was young so not a factor here, money is not a problem at all, I would never ever ever be rude or make a point, I'll do it quietly and say they weren't that hungry.

It's not fucking frankenfood. You sound so stuck up and frankly rude and ungrateful.

Maybe have your dad round to you instead if your so unhappy with what he offers?

When I visit my elderly grandad (96 years young) he's bought ready mad pancakes, nuttella, sweet waffles and full sugar baked beans as well sacks full of chocolate for my boys. I let them have their fill, because it give him pleasure to feed them, it's all easy stuff he can do FOR them and they love it. Life is far too short.

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevonhe doesn't have a huge appetite but he's very capable of cooking for himself. He makes omelettes, curries, salads, risottos...

I think my question has been missed. I don't expect anything more - in fact I wish he would let me take any worries about food off his mind by cooking or taking us out every time - but am I unreasonable to not make use of these ready meals?

Yes YABU

Yes, you are. It won't kill anyone to eat a pasta ready meal occasionally.

Wow, I don't think I've ever met someone so passionate about a ready meal before 😳

What actually is/are the ready meal(s)?

Call him and say dad i've made a big pot of stew and a cake for dinner tomorrow when I come visit,

very unreasonable.

If he really really does make omelettes / curries / risottos etc.

why not ask he makes that for your children who can't eat a pasta ready meal fortnightly.

Yes YABU and ridiculous

Gosh, there’s some nasty comments on here. There’s no need for people to call you names. MN can bring out the meanest of people.

Sounds like you do a lot for your dad and I know what it’s like when an elderly parent is working hard at keeping their independence.

Ready meals once a while won’t hurt the kids but I would be a bit concerned if he’s eating them regularly himself. I do my dad and stepmum’s shopping and I try to mix it up with fresh ready meals and lots of fresh veg. And whenever I’m cooking I’ll always freeze some portions for them too.

Perhaps with your dad you say, ‘made a huge casserole last night, really don’t want to waste it so I’ll bring some over for us all’. Obviously that means cooking but it could be a way to bring your own food without upsetting him.

Crack cocaine and broken glass I think. Made by Pedigree Chum

So he’s widowed, elderly, struggles with energy and his eyesight but you’re calling the meals he buys specially ‘shit’, ‘frankenfood’ and a ‘horror show’ ??
Nasty

Honestly
I'd just pop into m&s and bring your own stuff and cook for him yourself and the kids.

No need for drama just "dont worry dad I'd love to cook for you"

Could you not just say that the kids have gone off the ready meal and suggest a simple alternative jacket potato, omelette, even egg on toast.

What exactly are these “Frankenfood. Cheap shite full of awfulness.” “Wouldn’t feed it to a dog” ready meals? What kind of harm do you think they are going to do to your precious DC that makes it worth upsetting your father?

Anyone that demonises an occasional ready meal has issues with food. It’s really a non issue, if the kids like them.

There is no need for all the pearl clutching over occasional UPF.

Bloody hell just give the children the ready meals. If the only time they have them is when they’re at their grandad’s house they’ll probably think back with fond memories as they secretly eat similar meals once they’ve left home. This is such a non issue.

If money is no object cook frozen meals meals are very nice , if he was a good cook he might appreciate them occasionally .

Are you talking about out the occasional supermarket ready meal? If so, you are being absolutely ridiculous. They’re hardly going to poison your perfectly nourished organically fed offspring. Get a grip.

It's not going to harm them. When they start school school dinners won't be much better ( I've worked an infant school kitchen - belive me it's shite)
If they eat what your dad got leave them to it.

Would a Waitrose ready meal be okay, but not an Asda one?

Have you found out why he keeps buying these particular meals? Eg does he forget you’re coming and then nip to a small local shop and have to choose from the limited selection there? Does he think that’s the kind of thing children like?

Whatever the reason is, why not just freeze the meal or leave them for him to eat and get something to cook for you all? I know the kind of ready meals I think you mean and they’re rank. I had to buy one once and it was like soup and lasagne with tiny lumps of unidentifiable meat and gristle.

Don’t upset him. Be cheery about it (“We’ll leave these pasta meals for you dad, as I’ve got some chicken I’m going to roast” rather than comment on the quality) Maybe he’ll then stop buying them as a) he realises you’ll be cooking, and b) eats them himself and realises they’re not nice.

Post a pic then of these UNRECOGNISABLE ingredients?

Elderly father, low energy levels and bad eyesight and yet your main concern is a ready meal he has bought for your children. Bizarre.

Just be grateful for and to him.

You're being ridiculously dramatic about an occasional ready meal. Do your DC like and eat them when offered?