To limit kids' time with their grandparents...

[papercliphoarder]

... because I don't like the food they give the kids? General overfeeding, loads of sugary stuff, adult portion sizes, etc. I've asked them to stop but they think I'm just being fussy and controlling. AIBU?

How often are they seeing them / feeding then?

How often do they see them now?

Generally I don't think it's a good reason to limit visits, unless it's happening every day or something.

is it your parents?

Depends how often they see them

My son sees my mum and stepdad maybe twice a week sometimes just once.

Personally I dont care what they feed him. I'm not particularly fussed about food myself when it comes to feeding the toddler. Nothing is forbidden or limited.

My son wouldn't eat more than he could so if my mum gave him an adult portion there would be waste

Grandparents are known for giving sweets and chocoalte. I remember when i was a child my nan had a draw full of goodies!
If it's bothering you that much then have a word and stand your ground.

*chocolate.

Thanks for your replies.

I agree it's not great to limit either GP time or make foods "forbidden" (which I don't, really - I just don't have them in the house much or keep them for treats).

The thing is, my kids WILL eat it all if given too much, and I really don't think it's good for them (I have to work quite hard to keep them a healthy weight - which they are at the moment - because they have a taste for junk and big appetites).

At times they've had quite a lot of "sleepovers", and stayed for a few days at a time sometimes, which they loved, so it really would be a shame to stop it.

Shall I just relinquish control?!

Oh, and yes, it's my parents.

Cant you just ask them to make smaller portions?

My nanna is a feeder. She lives in Ireland so don't see her often but when we do we put on about a stone during the visit as its constant food and cups of tea

Even at my age now I still eat everything she puts in front of me as I love her food I hardly eat when I'm home

yabu and a bit controlling - if it's the odd sleepover I don't see the harm - I certainly don't see it as a reason to stop them seeing them. They managed to raise you fine!

I do ask - they just don't really listen!

Yes, maybe grandparents are just supposed to be feeders!

YABU - what do you call a 'lot' of sleepovers - once a week? Four times a week? I think it is great the children have good relationships with their DGPs and if that involves a bit of sugery over-load - is it really the end of the world? You do sound rather very controlling.

I think you need to talk to your kids about not stuffing everything in their faces just because it is there .

And talk to your mum - say you don't mind a bit of a splurge when it is a one day visit, but if it is longer you would appreciate it if she served more reasonable amounts and limit the treats. Ask her if she would eat all that stuff ? If not, why does she think your kids need it ?

OK, so from your responses I reckon maybe I do need to try to let go a bit and let them get on with it. I'm really very lucky to have parents who can and will look after them sometimes, tbh.

Thank you all very much for your answers. Good old MN!

oh - and remind her she doesn't need to bribe them to be liked, they like going to stay anyway - they don't just come because she stuffs them to the brim

My friend is pulling her hair out with her parents over this one - on the one hand she needs them for childcare, on the other hand her children are getting fat.... (her words - no judgey-pants here)

She has started putting things in bag for after school - a sandwich, a banana etc, and asking them to limit treats to one or 2 days a week instead of every day. She told them the kids were into moshi-monsters/football cards etc - so if they wanted to treat the kids, get them one of those a week instead of the same value (or more ) in sweets every week...

She has started to feed them less at home and feels bad about not treating her own kids because her mum has already given them too much that day etc.....

Some big issues to resolve there...

How old are they?

As long as the diet is generally well balanced then the odd "bad" day won't do any harm.

And you're right, throckenholt - I can try to reason with DM and be a bit more moderate. Thank you.

Madeofstardust - nice to know I'm not alone with this one... I like the idea of giving non-food treat ideas to them.

They are 4 and 7

I'm guessing that if they overeat one weekend a month or so, its ok. Depending just how much they overeat, I suppose.

But my problem with this would be that the GPs are ignoring your views on how you children should be brought up, because they disagree with you. It is irrelevant whether you're being fussy or not. I don't know how old your children are, but what happens when they think you're being fussy about, I don't know, playing out on the street, wearing bike helmets, supervision in the swimming pool, using car seats, surfing the net, watching adult tv ...

Limiting visits is not the only option though. You could do "we might have to limit visits if I can't trust you to feed them sensibly". Although they may just lie to you. You could also try "the doctor says ...".

MadeofStar - but why does your friend 'feel bad about not treating her own kids because her mum has' - surely that is the point of treats, if your child has had a treat from a grandparent then it's absolutely fine that you don't have to treat them yourself . I don't feel I have to treat my children. Surely it is perfectly acceptable to say 'no chocolates today because you had some yesterday at grandma's'?

I would have thought that all this angst about sweets and ice creams would be better dealt with by a few brisk games in the park or a swimming session rather than counting the calories and fat levels of what your child eats.

I think you do need to let it go, yes.

I understand, my MIL has DS once a week and while she feeds him healthy food, she feeds him a LOT, big portions, snacks, it's a bit crazy how much he eats sometimes! But it's once a week and not worth the drama.

Yes, Bertha, it's a good point. At the moment, though, this seems to be limited to food. Luckily I think we agree on most other things (so far....).

It might be about 2 weekends a month, although it varies a lot so is hard to say. But basically I agree - as long as it's not too often it's OK. Just seems a shame to have to worry about how often is too often....

My mum also gives the same to her two toddlers (2&3) and when we visit and its not raining she sends them out to her massive garden.

My stepdad is the worse 'offender' for offering sweet treats but not just to the kids, to me too! I have left my mums with chocolate eclairs, cake, sweets etc

So about 4 days a month? I really wouldn't worry if they eat normally and healthily all the rest of the time and are healthy body size/weight.
This time with the GP is precious. Granny's house is supposed to be more fun than home! It is the blessing of being a GP rather than a P. you can feed them and then send them back!
If this is not a weekly childcare arrangement I would keep reiterating it if it bothers you but don't stop them seeing them.