I think a friend gave my child gelatine in food

[yetanothernamechnager]

I am very upset with him mum thinks I am being unreasonable

He is exerting his choice by eating the harbos shock horror. If this discussion were about religion, you would be up in arms saying tat its not right to impose your belifs onto your child, they should choose when they are ready, this is no different

At school if I were offered sweets I took them, like any other child ad used my pocket money to buy them from the local shop on the way back from school at that age, so no you caz not completely control an older child's diet

Ok we keep kosher, and so if I sent my child to a playdate at someone who didn't keep kosher I'd either send my own food for them or ask them to explain exactly what they'd be feeding my child. If they said "chocolate" I would ask exactly which brand and type etc.

If its really that important to you then you need to take more responsibility about what your child is eating, can't leave it to others as they genuinely don't know and easy to make a mistake.

Waving I think you make a good point. My son's are Muslim and don't eat Haribo because of the gelatine. They are 5 and 8 and know they can't eat them (but Chuppa Chups are fine ). I am a bit surprised the OP's 9 year old didn't know.

Wow - there are a lot of funny messages on here.

Basically - get over it. It is up to you to either pack them separate meals or let people know what they can or cannot eat.

I'm really sorry to be rude to other vegans if you are not like this but I do hate it when snobby vegans turn their noses up about food and expect everyone to bend over backwards for them. It's your decision to eat that way - not mine.

I make the decision to bring my child up with meat - but we also eat Quorn because I prefer it to mince (yuk). If he wants to be veggie then that's fine (vegan I hope not!)

I worked at Pizza hut as a teenager and found it hilarious when quite often I would have picky vegetarians in saying 'make sure no meat comes into contact with my pizza' which is fair enough but of course it didn't anyway as they are so strict in the kitchen. But then I would see them eating from the ice cream factory which isn't suitable for vegetarians!

When I told them they always looked shocked and sometimes were rude to me as if I had done something wrong! It does say on the menu!

I hate it when people limit their children's diets so much. It's our job as parents to do what is best for them. I don't like vegetables other than peas & carrots (wish i did) but i still cook a large selection every week for DS. I don't eat crisps or sweets or Mc Donalds & i don't advocate children eating these every day but if he wanted a treat then why not!