To think it's odd to give other people's children advent calendar?

[Vijac]

I know this is a first world problem. My 3yo (just 3) has received advent calendars from both the neighbours and my mil. I have already got one too. Whilst obviously these are kind gifts, aibu to think that it's a bit of a strange gift. I don't really want my son to have multiple pieces of chocolate every day for the whole of December. But what am I meant to do with the calendars?!

[dazzler22]

Better to give them one that represents the true meaning of christmas.

[dazzler22]

I am delighted for my inlaws to give my son an advent calendar, they are just kind enough to get him one without chocolate,

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Lots of people celebrate Christmas as a cultural tradition, not a religios one. So the true meaning for those people is whatever they choose to make it.

[dazzler22]

But we should never give chocolate to a child if the parents don't want it to have it

[Alisvolatpropiis]

It's chocolate, not crystal meth. But each to their own.

[dazzler22]

Thats a matter of opinion, more people die of sugar related illnesses than overdosing on crystal meth

[dazzler22]

Sugar is responsible for diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease and many other related illnesses, giving sweets and chocolate at "special times" christmas, birthdays, "treats" rewards etc all tell the child that eat these to reward or treat yourself if you are down or things haven't gone too well and then eventually they eat them for comfort, slippery slope and we see people going down it all the time, then they are addicted - game over

[Alisvolatpropiis]

How do you feel about fruit?

[dazzler22]

In small quantities, only one of his seven a day maximum

[UsedtobeFeckless]

Wow. Let the good times roll, eh?

[Bogeyface]

When we were teens you could sneak into a pub and usually get some underage drinking in. Because you had to behave otherwise you would be chucked out you learned your limits, what you liked and didnt like and learned how to behave in a pub. Now kids hit 18 and go completely bloody bonkers because its the first time they have been allowed to have alcohol.

Now, I am not saying that a child who has been denied a small but regular amount of "bad" foods will start gorging on them when they have their own supply of money but.........

[MissBattleaxe]

Sugar is responsible for diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease and many other related illnesses That's a sweeping statement that contains a teeny bit of skewed fact and a large amount of ignorance.

[UptheChimney]

Only on MN would a kindness from the community and family be seen as "odd."

I despair sometimes ...

[Aherdofmims]

You've obviously got more than you need so yeah, donate so as not to have too much chocolate!

But not weird as such.

[Bogeyface]

MissBattleaxe never let the facts stand in the way of a good self important lecture though eh?!

dazzler the health issues you mention are caused by many things, a diet too heavy in sugar can contribute to them but is not solely responsible. Other things such as general fitness levels, other dietary issues, genetic predisposition, smoking (or not), drinking (or not)......the list of possible contributory factors goes on and on.

But as I say, dont let the facts stand in the way of being a smug controlling nightmare super mum.

[MissBattleaxe]

Indeed Bogeyface. I know someone at Uni who gorged on junk food because it had been forbidden for 18 years!

[naty1]

I agree with dazzler.
Too much obsession with sweets treats all the time. It shouldnt be handed out at school. Parents can refuse it from relatives.
If kids are fat how could you possibly reduce it when its thrust from all directions. I think this is why dieters fail. Presents of chocolates, cakes at work, meals out. We eat to the level others are, like we will miss out.
Yes they might gorge at uni (i did anyway). At least they are healthier to start with.
The more you eat the more you want. So 4 advent chocs a day youll want to continue that amount of sugar.
I have pre-diabetes despite being thin.
Though a bigger issue is getting lots of selection boxes.

[heronsfly]

Oh dear, another gm here who bought all her gc an advent calendar

[UsedtobeFeckless]

Don't worry Heron ... I loved the idea that DP's Nan ( Who had 22 great grandchildren! ) would go out and get a little something to make them smile we're not all joyless tightly clenched control freaks

[magso]

I use the non Christmassy advent calendars to count down to birthdays, or to reward a certain target.

[Bogeyface]

I think this is why dieters fail. Presents of chocolates, cakes at work, meals out. We eat to the level others are, like we will miss out.

Dont blame other people for your inability to say no.

And I say this as someone who is overweight. I am fat because I eat too much crap, that is my decision. I dont blame the person who offered me the chocolate or brought in the cake or suggested the takeaway or built the fast food drive through next to my supermarket of choice.

I ate it, it is my fault I am fat. If you ate it then it is your fault. I am so sick of people saying "Its so hard to eat healthily!" No it isnt. And 4 teeny chocolates a day for 24 days of the year will not make your child obese, stop projecting.

[ToffeeCaramel]

We're not all joyless tightly clenched control freaks

Why do you need to resort to bitchy name calling to make your point?

[UsedtobeFeckless]

Because I was pissed - Sorry.

Thing is - I was Dazzler 10 years ago, but they get big and go out with their mates and you start worrying about mugging and drugs and drunk driving and being murdered by people they've met online and getting het up over a teeny bit of chocolate seems such a waste of energy! ( I should probably have typed that instead the first time ... )

[PeachandBlack]

I bought chocolate advent calenders for my nephews. I had to read this thread in case my SIL was the OP!

[ToffeeCaramel]

Oldest starting high school next year and I've got all that worrying to come. Gahhh!

[Sits in corner and comfort eats advent chocs.]