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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask politely that a visiting child not to have sugar on his cereal?

360 replies

ChaosTrulyReigns · 14/03/2011 10:34

Occasionally I'll have one of DD2's classmates before school, as it helps with his parents' working situation.

I have 4 DCs who obviously will have to be cautious over their eating habits for life. Genes. Sad

Therefore we have only cereals that are not excessively sugary for breakfast.

This child moans about what is on offer at my house. So he then asks for augar to be added to weetabix, which I would rather not, but if DS is not in the room he can have some discreetly, as the girls understand my rationale, but DS is only 4 and I would rather not have this eating style visible to him.

So, AIBU to request politely that he doesn't add sugar when ChaoticBoy is around?

OP posts:
exoticfruits · 14/03/2011 16:58

I think that it is more an adult taste without sugar. I love it now and wouldn't be able to eat it with sugar-however as a DC I couldn't stand cornflakes or weetabix without, but I always found Frosties etc too much even when very young.
Are you sure that your DCs have had a free choice OP-or is it just that you have told them what they will like?

Rannaldini · 14/03/2011 17:00

weetabix are boak anyway but they are totaly tiger yawn without sugar.

yabvvu

offering a choice of many different morning things is also vvu in my book

JessRabbit · 14/03/2011 17:00

Practically all cereal is unhealthy anyway, which is. Why it has to be fortified. It's highly processed grain whether you add a pile of chemical sweeteners and flavours to it or not.

Give them all an egg.

squeakytoy · 14/03/2011 17:11

If your own 4yo wants a bit of sugar on his because he sees his friend having it, then whats the big deal? It will not mean he grows up fat.

If the others dont like sugar on their cereal anyway, then its a non issue.

You sound like you are projecting your own food issues and weight problems onto your children, which is wrong.

Children should be encouraged to exercise and do sports, not worry about a bit of sugar.

auntpolly · 14/03/2011 17:13

Some holistic health prcatitioners would rather people gave up sugar than smoking as the no1 body fucker. This made me laugh. If all else fails you could offer him a silk cut?

Gingefringe · 14/03/2011 17:19

OMG - what's the big deal? Either put a bit of sugar in his bowl of cereal without your DS seeing it or refuse him sugar and speak to his mum about it.
Where's the danger in a bit of sugar - not the end of the world and to be honest I can't believe you'd start such a ridiculous thread when there's so many awful things happening in the world at the moment.

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 14/03/2011 17:32

CTR have not read the whole thread, but IMHO YANBU. Just tell him there is no sugar. I find it Shockshocking when children ask for suar on cereal - what are their parents thinking???? If they don't want to come again - tough

squeakytoy · 14/03/2011 17:34

I find it shocking when children ask for suar on cereal - what are their parents thinking???

probably thinking thats its cheaper than crack cocaine.. Grin

but possibly more harmful if some holistic practicioners are to be believed..

auntpolly · 14/03/2011 17:37

Sugar is a gateway drug after all...

valiumredhead · 14/03/2011 17:37

What holistic practitioners are those then? Grin

MollieO · 14/03/2011 17:38

I have a spoon of sugar on weetabix or porridge. Ds (nearly 7) doesn't as he doesn't know that you can have sugar on cereal. I'm not interested in whether it is not healthy to have sugar as he is a skinny thing, however from a dental perspective the less sugar he has the better. I can completely sympathise with the OP and I would do the same.

diddl · 14/03/2011 17:44

"My DC are happy to eat cereal without sugar."

Yes, but he isn´t!

(And btw I don´t add sugar to anything, but don´t stop those who want to)

FellatioNelson · 14/03/2011 17:45

Yes JessRabbit! Eggs rule. Nutrionally fantastic, they are keep you fuller for longer, aid concentration at school, keep blood sugar in check, quick to cook, and have no additives whatsoever. And they don't need sugar. Eggs are the way to go.

Original poster
ChaosTrulyReigns · 14/03/2011 17:47

But at 10 years old, surely a guest is able to understand, "I'd rather not because we don't do that here, but if you can't do without, please do it in a way that DS doesn't see, because otherwise we'll all suffer the fallout"?

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 14/03/2011 17:48

I agree with jessrabbit - cereal is not particularly healthy although it is marketed as such. Eggs are fab Wink

Original poster
ChaosTrulyReigns · 14/03/2011 17:49

[wunk]

OP posts:
Dropdeadfred · 14/03/2011 17:50

but why dont you prepare his cereal in the kitchen for him (with the added conraband) then hand it over?

Bogeyface · 14/03/2011 17:50

Just go with "We dont have any" then its up to him to eat it or do without. End of problem.

My lot dont want sugar on cereal because I have never given it to them, it just never occurred to me to. And I wouldnt want them to see someone else having it because they would want it too, and why would I start giving them sugar on it now when there is no need and it is bad for them?!

Original poster
ChaosTrulyReigns · 14/03/2011 17:51
OP posts:
Original poster
ChaosTrulyReigns · 14/03/2011 17:52

Yep, Dropdead, I think that's the route I'll take.

OP posts:
exoticfruits · 14/03/2011 17:53

It would seem sensible to me to give them the choice and they can decide for themselves-something I have done in time-I hate it with sugar-but if you have decided for them you probably find they secretly want it. I think it very counter productive to label food good and bad.

Dropdeadfred · 14/03/2011 17:53

(contraband not conraband)...- glad you've got an easy solution Smile

FellatioNelson · 14/03/2011 17:54

Well I do cook my own kids eggs a couple of times a week at least and there are three of them. Mind you, I am so tired and jaded and on the downward slope of motherhood now that some days my teenagers think Dr Pepper and half a packet of chocolate digestives is a good breakfast, and I can barely be bothered to Hmm at them anymore.

AvonCallingBarksdale · 14/03/2011 17:55

I can see your Pov, OP, and I'd be inclined to think your house, your rules. ALthough, my opinion is that a bit of sugar isn't going to make your DCs "sturdy" Wink. However, making food into a big thing probably will go some way to giving kids food issues. not saying that is what you are doing btw, talking generally there. One of DS's friends likes to have ketchup on his pasta - lots and lots of the stuff. Fortunately, DS looks horrified, whenever they eat together. Ketchup and pasta's just wrong Smile

Laquitar · 14/03/2011 17:58

By A1980:'Why on earth don't you just offer toast, you can't put sugar on toast'.

Yes you can . Ok i see your name. You weren't around in the 70s. This was our snack, bread with sugar on it!