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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder what happened to 'proper' mealtimes?

222 replies

undercoverPrincess · 29/03/2012 10:47

Just lately all the kids parties we go to seem to involve serving food (mostly sandwich type buffets but at one McDonalds) at times that are between mealtimes (between 2 and 3pm)?

I just don't get this, I try really hard to get into a good routine and give my children a good attitude regarding what they eat / snack on and when and I don't like them being re-fed between meals?

One party started at 12.30 so I didn't know what to do, I have DD a snack before but the food came out at 2 so the kids that hadn't had lunch like my DD were probably starving. Then come teatime she didn't want her proper dinner.

We have been invited to another party like this next month and I'm sorely tempted to refuse the invite but will feel bad as I know my DD will want to go :(

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 29/03/2012 12:23

Yes LeQueen and let's hope there's a Greggs there Wink

Honestly OP, this is party food you're talking about.

I always fed my kids before a party and left it up to them what they did/didn't choose to eat when they got there.

Equally, if they didn't want dinner in the evening...they had a bowl of cereals before bed.

We're all still alive Grin

ExitPursuedByABear · 29/03/2012 12:23

Nah - she can't be 13 - because by then the OP will have learnt that teenagers start grazing the moment they get in from school and don't stop until they go to bed, with a snack.

LeQueen · 29/03/2012 12:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

imnotmymum · 29/03/2012 12:27

oh come on we are being mean ! [thin gruel LeQueen ha ha !!] have the flowers ready when there is a chat thread "hold my hand, my DD has just eaten of her own accord"

LeQueen · 29/03/2012 12:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatieMiddleton · 29/03/2012 12:28

Surely thin gruel would only be served at meal times? Wink

tantrumsandballoons · 29/03/2012 12:28

It's true, I never knew people could eat so much until ds1 turned 13 Angry

tantrumsandballoons · 29/03/2012 12:29

PFB?

KatieMiddleton · 29/03/2012 12:29

Self-flagellation would probably be allowed as long as it wasn't too exciting.

LadyBeagleEyes · 29/03/2012 12:31

I'm constantly asked why I've never had to diet and I do put it down to eating properly at set times of the day
I've never had to diet either op, though I've very rarely been asked why.
I eat at all sorts of weird times and so has my ds, though now he's 16 he is a walking dustbin.
Bit of a stealth dig there I think.

Tee2072 · 29/03/2012 12:35

OP you sound an awful lot like another mum I know who actually has a baby who she thinks naps from 915 - 945. Far as I can tell, the baby actually falls asleep around 930 and then only gets to sleep for 15 minutes as the mum wakes her at 945.

So perhaps you are making your child eat at specific times and gasp they aren't actually hungry then?

They are people, you know, they do know when they are hungry, tired, etc.

LeQueen · 29/03/2012 12:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tee2072 · 29/03/2012 12:41

Grin LeQueen

DurhamDurham · 29/03/2012 12:45

I don't like this attitude that food can be consumed whenever the mood takes us

Like being hungry?

tantrumsandballoons · 29/03/2012 12:47

Who is ever asked "constantly" about their diet?
WHY would they ask?

Jins · 29/03/2012 12:49

5pm doesn't work for us as a family. The kids would love it because then they'd be looking for a substantial snack later so I'd have effectively three meal times

Also with a 5.15 finish at work I just can't manage it

So when it's agreed what time we should ideally feed our kids could I have an exemption?

Tee2072 · 29/03/2012 12:50

My son is just finishing his lunch and it's nearly 1.

Should I keep an eye out for CPS?

imnotmymum · 29/03/2012 12:50

And how would people know she never had to diet for all they know she could be dieting like a mad women to keep herself "trim". OP you get it in first don't you to explain why your children are whisked away to eat at 12 !!

LadyBeagleEyes · 29/03/2012 12:51

Exactly my point tantrum.
It must be all the other people who don't eat at set times, I expect they're all fatties that ask OP's advice as why she manages to stay so slim.
I'm slim but am neve rasked, much less constantly.

Jins · 29/03/2012 12:54

Actually I have proper mealtimes

breakfast any time between 8 and 11
lunch any time between 11 and 4
'afternoon tea' somewhere between 4 and 6 if required
evening meal between 6 and 9 unless eating out when it may stretch to 10

So I'm putting that forward as the official list

LeQueen · 29/03/2012 12:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DurhamDurham · 29/03/2012 12:56

A little bit upset and confused as to why people are not constantly telling me how slim I am and how I manage it without dieting Hmm

LeQueen · 29/03/2012 12:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DeWe · 29/03/2012 12:58

I like those timings Jins. I'll take them, except breakfast which I don't have.

I've never had to diet either, Op. Looks hard at the computer desk scattered with coke can, ramains of a cream cake packet and home made millionaire's shortbread. I will get round to savory shortly... yes, a packet of crisps should do. Grin

Jins · 29/03/2012 12:59

I don't have breakfast either but I'm pretending that my bar of galaxy is breakfast for the purposes of the list