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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that junk food as a reward is really harmful

94 replies

brt100 · 27/05/2014 19:09

Currently looking after dn and on the most part it's a delight.

However picked her up from school and she was very proudly showing me a sticker she earnt, was so excited that she forgot her coat and bag!

I congratulated her etc but when we got home she said that mummy usually gives her a kinder egg when she does well. Idont want to wear my judgey pants, but I hate the idea of harmful addictive junk food as a treat.

I've said I will make her a lolly instead, this will just be frozen fruit on a stick.

Aibu not to give junk food?

OP posts:
EatShitDerek · 27/05/2014 19:12

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EmmanuelWoganberry · 27/05/2014 19:13

Well, imo any kind of food used as a reward or punishment is harmful.

littlemslazybones · 27/05/2014 19:14

I bet your sister has to think long and hard about asking you to look after your niece.

usualsuspectt · 27/05/2014 19:15

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thebodylovesspring · 27/05/2014 19:15

No it's perfectly normal. What do you do for a treat?

EatShitDerek · 27/05/2014 19:17

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EmmanuelWoganberry · 27/05/2014 19:18

It’s quite possible she was only saying it in order to get you to give her a kinder egg. Mummy might actually give her woven yoghurt.

Pipbin · 27/05/2014 19:21

I do agree that food as a reward can lead to a bad relationship with food in later life. However, she isn't you DD so I would follow the rules set by her mother.

Is it not half term where you are?

cantbelievethisishppening · 27/05/2014 19:21

How will a Kinder egg 'harm' her? Unless she starts chomping on the toy then you may have a point.

sunshinemmum · 27/05/2014 19:22

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PeachyParisian · 27/05/2014 19:28

I have a terrible relationship with food which mainly stems from sweets as a reward for good behaviour as a child. YABU to get involved in your sisters parenting though, i'd just not reinforce it. An ice lolly is still a treat, whether its better than a kinder egg or not- shouldn't the sticker be the reward?

CeramicUnicorns · 27/05/2014 19:28

DD is potty training and gets a small sweet for going on the toilet/potty. She is doing really well so clearly on the path to addiction...

Original poster
brt100 · 27/05/2014 19:29

Tbh I didn't say no, I said mummy didn't tell me that and you'd have to wait till she got back. If I was told she must be given a kinder egg I would of done so.

Btw I'm counting anything sugar based as harmful and addictive.

OP posts:
TheBogQueen · 27/05/2014 19:30

She's a kid

Kids like sweets

It's one of the nice things about being a kid

Remember that

Original poster
brt100 · 27/05/2014 19:31

What is that ment to mean lazy?

OP posts:
HeyBungalowBill · 27/05/2014 19:32

I think people are missing the point here OP.

It's not about ONE kinder egg not being harmful, it's about creating a mind set where junk food is a reward for doing well.

I completely agree and think any sort of food as a reward can be harmful and will create bad relationships with food, especially as it's unhealthy as it links junk food as a reward.

HeyBungalowBill · 27/05/2014 19:33

The OP isn't saying that children shouldn't ever have sweets or junk food it is only the relationship between food she mentioned.

Yes it's fine to give your child a kinder egg or sweets but I think it's a bad idea to do so as a reward. Just have it as you would any other food!

usualsuspectt · 27/05/2014 19:33

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HeyBungalowBill · 27/05/2014 19:34

Usual suspect I don't think they're on about making it taboo. Just not a reward which is equally as harmful as making it taboo

usualsuspectt · 27/05/2014 19:34

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Edenviolet · 27/05/2014 19:35

Anything sugar based?

What, like frozen fruit which is probably as high in sugar as a kinder egg.

wigglesrock · 27/05/2014 19:37

Is fruit not sugar based?

mumblechum1 · 27/05/2014 19:37

I always gave ds kinder eggs as a treat because there's barely any chocolate and they get a little kit to make a toy out of so it's educational inn it

gobbynorthernbird · 27/05/2014 19:38

Anything sugar based? Erm, what do you think fruit is?

motherinferior · 27/05/2014 19:39

While I see your point to an extent, I would be seriously pissed off if someone tried to palm off frozen fruit on a stick as a delicious treat to me. And I eat a lot of fruit.