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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell my mum what to feed ds when she looks after him for nothing while I work?

55 replies

Shutupanddrive · 23/07/2012 21:37

DS1 is short for his age (6) and we are seeing a pediatrician for this. He is also getting quite fat. My mum has him 3 days a week for me (sometimes more) while I work. DP works away all week so it's a great help for me. I have spoken to her before about not letting him have too many treats, he is a fussy eater but will quite happily eat cheese on everything, pizza, chocolate etc. I feel like I need to put my foot down as I know he is getting crap while I'm not there. I have tried upping his exercise (buying a trampoline, swimming lessons, playing out with footballs etc) but it doesn't seem to be having much effect Sad
It would break my heart if he was bullied/hated the way he looks when he is older and im scared if he is like this at 6 what will he be like at 10/11 when he starts thinking about body image. I don't believe that any 6yr old should be on a diet but I really need to take control of this. Any suggestions appreciated!

OP posts:
quoteunquote · 25/07/2012 18:31

treadonthecracks

Quote - bike polo sounds fab, will look at that. Just wondering does doing all that cost a bomb?

No, we have built up all our kit over the years, boards,ropes,harnesses, wetsuits, rash vest, lifejackets, kayaks, boats, we had lots of secondhand stuff to start with(you can buy very cheaply and upgrade as you go, but you could buy everything new in one go for the price of a family holiday abroad,

we live next to a lot of beaches, and good climbing spots, it a life style thing, Husband and I were both adrenaline junkies long before we had children, we both spent our childhood and teens in the water, or on the hills,it's our idea of a good time,so we've always taken the children from babies,

One of the reasons we do these things is because it is so cheap, once you have the right kit it's free forever.

I end up buying a couple of wetsuits each year, keep an ear out for boards,

but we never spend very much, and the best thing about being on the water, children have nothing to hassle about,

the only money I will spend between now and october on children will be on food.

I have no idea how people afford to "entertain" children through the holidays, I couldn't do it.

Shutupanddrive · 25/07/2012 22:08

Wow lots more replies thankyou! We have had a really active day today and they have gone to bed tired out. I am going to speak to my mum when ds is not in earshot and suggest her coming to the next pediatrician appointment. Once they go back to school he will only go there after school twice a week for about an hour so will be easier to manage.

athinginyourlife he is seeing the pediatrician about his height not his weight, but as he is short he actually can't get away with carrying any weight.

OP posts:
msrantsalot · 25/07/2012 22:13

I feel for you because I have this problem with DD but it is with Exp who allows her to live out of the sweetie shop. HV suggested a food diary which I filled in religiously but EXp refused and when I asked her what shed had for breakfast she said Donuts, I said how many she said you know the 4 pack in the shop..... I don't really have any good advice but just wanted to sympathise.

Shutupanddrive · 25/07/2012 22:16

Thanks msrantalot Smile

OP posts:
3duracellbunnies · 26/07/2012 08:03

The other issue I have with GP (although ours never have them on their own - live too far away and too old); is the finish everything on your plate mentality. I realise that in their childhood in the war every bit of food was precious, but that isn't a problem now. Having worked in the field of obesity this approach teaches a child nothing about learning to stop when full, especially if they have to eat a portion size which is too big before they are allowed pudding. We say they need to eat their veg but beyond that they need to stop when full. Then again I have a problem with the school giving stickers to children just because they have eaten all of their lunch (I'm not talkinng about children who are underweight and need to eat).

Hopefully leaving him at school longer in termtime will help, also are there any summer sports clubs near you that he could go to one week and give GP 'a break'? It is hard when they are around all day, mine often chorus that they are hungry at times that I know they don't eat when in school.

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