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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

A bit sensitive...would you buy a seriously overweight child an easter Egg?

58 replies

arselikekylie · 04/04/2014 15:12

The child in question is a close relative, she's 6 and she is very, very overweight. This is mainly due to a terrible diet but also possibly in part due to her genes.

I have thought of getting her an Easter craft set or soft toy instead which I'm sure she'll love but I know she'll be wondering where the chocolate egg is too as that is what she and her siblings look forward to.

I'm thinking I probably will get her a smallish one as in the grand scheme of things an Easter egg off me isn't going to make much difference but would you say this is the wrong thing to do?

Her mum doesn't think there is a problem with her weight and has ripped the heads off any professionals that have expressed concerns. She isn't a particularly nice person and refuses to take any action to help her DD.

OP posts:

girlywhirly · 04/04/2014 15:52

My mum used to buy her small great-nieces and nephews Easter presents instead of chocolate. None of them had weight issues, but none of them were ever disappointed that they got a book or game instead of chocolate eggs.

A garden game for outdoors sounds great.

GreatUncleEddie · 04/04/2014 15:52

No, I wouldn't. But I would get her siblings similar presents so she wasn't singled out. For a six year old I might get a cuddly bunny or similar.

MammaTJ · 04/04/2014 16:06

I don't like Easter eggs anyway, you get far better value for money in a chocolate bar, or indeed a craft item or book. I would use that as an excuse to buy all of the children something crafty.

Linguini · 04/04/2014 16:26

I'm surprised to see so many posters talking about a 'No Egg policy at Easter" !! That seems fairly 'Scrooge' and a bit OTT...

But I do agree that if you don't buy the overweight child a chocolate egg, then it wouldn't be right to buy any of the siblings/cousins chocolate either. One rule for everyone is best!

Not sure what difference one chocolate egg would make to a child who is already overweight, though.

Sirzy · 04/04/2014 16:44

I don't have a no egg at easter policy BUT it is so easy for children to be inundated with them I would rather avoid buying them personally. DS will still get eggs from others and thats fine - although they will take him months to eat.

HolgerDanske · 04/04/2014 16:46

I would get her exactly the same egg as the rest of her siblings are getting.

HolgerDanske · 04/04/2014 16:47

Or Easter gifts for all of them rather than eggs, as others have suggested.

AngelaDaviesHair · 04/04/2014 16:48

I would not buy chocolate eggs for any of them. They could have decorated wooden eggs along with a craft set or other toy. Just do something different-no doubt there will be chocolate from other people.

girlwhowearsglasses · 04/04/2014 16:54

God I would be happy if mine got something non choc at Easter!

TheEmpress · 04/04/2014 18:06

Can't you get them all something like a playmobil toy Easter egg?

Alisvolatpropiis · 04/04/2014 18:25

No. Nor would I get any siblings she has one.

Non edible gifts are plentiful.

Edendance · 04/04/2014 18:26

I think getting them all something which isn't chocolatey is a good idea. It doesn't matter what they were 'expecting' I don't think- that's a little lesson in itself.

One chocolate egg doesn't make a difference but that's not the point, getting something non chocolatey means you're not encouraging eating chocolate when you know that they will probably have plenty anyway. We all know that pretty much anything is fine in moderation but it sounds like she may be having more than enough other times that you balancing it a bit with something non edible is a tiny step (admittedly) but in the right direction.

There's tonnes of stuff out there for Easter now, it shouldn't be too hard to find something nice! I've seen quite a few nice Easter craft things in pound shops too, as well as the Supermarkets so lots of choice.

legoplayingmumsunite · 04/04/2014 18:35

I like the idea of outdoor toys for them all to play with is great.

LittleMissGerardButlersMinion · 04/04/2014 18:39

I think your idea of getting her and her siblings a craft set or something is a good idea.

I don't buy eggs for my children as they get plenty, so buy them a book or toy instead.

Original poster

arselikekylie · 04/04/2014 19:37

Like the stomp rocket idea. Will go for something along them lines. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:

Olddear · 04/04/2014 20:55

Never buy Easter eggs. I prefer a book/small toy and usually an item of clothing. But I have only two gifts to buy!

BrokenToeOuch · 04/04/2014 20:59

You can't fix her obesity by buying her an outdoors toy, her parents are the ones who can help her.

mumminio · 04/04/2014 21:14

Take her for an easter egg hunt, with her siblings. Make them run LOTS.

bobot · 04/04/2014 21:18

I don't even buy my own dc an Easter Egg, and discourage family from doing so. They always end up with a couple - if they had none at all I'd get them each a small one. But the amount of chocolate can get ridiculous.

I'd go with something Easter-themed, non-chocolate - craft things?

It won't make any difference to her diet / weight overall unless her parents are on board, but if one child of mine was overweight, I'd be looking at their diet overall, getting active as a family, and I'd do exactly the same as I do now at Easter - a small egg, with other stuff.

SauvignonBlanche · 04/04/2014 21:23

We have a no chocolate at easter rule in our house

fuzzpig · 04/04/2014 21:24

Outdoor toy sounds like a great idea. Little tennis/badminton set or those Velcro catch mitts etc. ELC is great for that sort of stuff, often on 3 for 2 IIRC (don't have one locally anymore :()

Shame her mum isn't interested in helping her :(

rumbleinthrjungle · 04/04/2014 21:26

I always give the kids in our family books and/or activity toys for Easter, they look forward to the Eastery/spring themed activities for them as they've grown older. They've had things like jewellry making kits, egg painting kits, that kind of thing. Apart from their parents not having to manage yet more chocolate in the house and when it gets eaten, the children are happy for things to do during the school holidays. I think you've got no problem at all not giving chocolate if you don't think it's a good idea.

ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 21:27

I would get a moderately sized one, but if you know loads of peoplecare buying her one, I would buy something else for her and anyone else.

Mine won't get eggs from me since I know 2 other people have bought them one each.

Aventurine · 04/04/2014 21:31

I would buy a small one and a craft set. I'd make it a special small one. Like one of those Lindt bunnies with the charm round its neck. Or the little ones in a pretty hen egg cup that M&S sell.

5feralloinfruits · 04/04/2014 21:34

do people really give kids that aren't their own kids things at easter?I didnt realise it was such a big deal.I only just about manage to buy my own lot an egg let alone nieces and nephews.

OP i echo what others have said,buy her the same as her siblings,chocolate or not.

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