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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is child abuse

97 replies

FacelikeaBagofHammers · 05/08/2017 13:19

A parent I saw yesterday wheeling a 2 or 3 year old in a buggy. The child was seriously obese. Parent gave said child a can of Pringles to eat on while she shopped as she was whinging.

I think this is grossly unfair on a child as young as this, setting her up for a myriad of health problems. The child is more likely to develop diabetes and probably less likely to take up sports etc as they get older (which is hugely important for personal development imo).

I am aware there are other conditions that can cause children to put on weight, medication, learning difficulties etc (and these are not the scenarios I'm talking about) but other than that, it's the parents responsibility to manage the toddlers weight and activity levels. It's very sad tbh.

OP posts:
CosmicPineapple · 05/08/2017 13:29

You dont know enough about this child to pass judgement tbh.

NoddysBell · 05/08/2017 13:30

Oh my. This won't end well.

Curious2468 · 05/08/2017 13:32

My son was in a buggy until 5. He has a connective tissue disorder and autism. Neither of these would be obvious just by looking at him. Yabu!

titbumwillypoo · 05/08/2017 13:34

Think it depends on what flavour Pringles really.

pandarific · 05/08/2017 13:36

That's shit parenting, whatever way you cut it. Poor kid. YANBU.

Original poster
FacelikeaBagofHammers · 05/08/2017 13:36

As I said, I'm not talking about children with medical issues (visible or not). I hope your son is OK Curious.

I'm talking about lazy parenting, resulting in a kid who is grossly overweight before they can talk purely down to a crap diet and lack of exercise. I appreciate this may not have been the case yesterday ...but in general terms, I think it's unfair.

OP posts:
hereigoagainhereigogogo · 05/08/2017 13:37

You know nothing of this child. They may have autism or similar and may be very limited in what they will eat.

RhubardGin · 05/08/2017 13:37

My knee jerk reaction would be to judge, yes.

An obese toddler in a stroller eating a can of Pringles doesn't scream 'great parenting'

But we don't know the history so there could be an explanation for this.

Spikeyball · 05/08/2017 13:37

Buggy is irrelevant. Are you saying the child ate a whole big tub of pringles? Or just some of them instead of a bag of pom bears?

RhubardGin · 05/08/2017 13:38

Think it depends on what flavour Pringles really

Grin
Curious2468 · 05/08/2017 13:39

Out of curiosity if the child was skinny would you have objected to the pringles or the buggy? 2-3 is pretty standard to be in one and maybe the crisps were a one off

CosmicPineapple · 05/08/2017 13:40

But your thread is about judging this girls parents and you know nothing about her.

If you are concerned about child obesity then start a general thread about it.
What I suspect you really want is posters to come on and judge the parents just as you have done Hmm

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 05/08/2017 13:41

You are going to get attacked for saying that, but I agree to be honest. A child that young who is overweight is going to be down to the parent feeding them too much (medical conditions aside). I think it is akin to child abuse.

Kursk · 05/08/2017 13:41

This thread will go down like a fat kid on a see saw

BumWad · 05/08/2017 13:43

I always give my very skinny 2 year old some snacks when he's in the buggie and we're out shopping. It's the only way he keeps quiet and lets mummy shop!

You wouldn't have seen the walking he had done or lunch he'd had prior to getting in the butt.

I think you're being a bit of a judgemental dick to be honest.

CommonSenseIsNotAllThatCommon · 05/08/2017 13:43

How do you know this child didn't have a medical condition?

BumWad · 05/08/2017 13:43

Getting in the buggy not butt Blush

Original poster
FacelikeaBagofHammers · 05/08/2017 13:44

The point of the buggy was that they were young enough to be in one!

Yes, one of those small tubs of Pringles.

Yes, I judged too rashly. But, if it was purely down to bad parenting, it's still unfair on the child though!

OP posts:
brasty · 05/08/2017 13:44

I agree with you. At that age they are only able to eat what adults caring for them give them. So being obese is totally the fault of the parent.
And I was this child.

Pengggwn · 05/08/2017 13:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Starsandwishes · 05/08/2017 13:45

Maybe the child had some sort of medical problem on medication that makes them put on weight.

TakesTheCake · 05/08/2017 13:46

Kursk my thoughts exactly. But you expressed it much better!

I am off to get some popcorn. Anything that whiffs of judge-y always kicks off on here!

10greenapples · 05/08/2017 13:47

I'm not sure what the child being in a buggy has to do with it either? My friend still uses a buggy for her dd who was 3 in May. And the other day my son was eating a can of Pringles so as a snap judgement you might think he are the lot but he only had the same as what he would have if it was a packet of crisps, but he is not overweight so I guess it's ok?!

UnaPalomaBlanca · 05/08/2017 13:47

Small tub- not the foot long tube?

Witchend · 05/08/2017 13:48

If they're obese then it's pretty likely they're tall too so may well be younger anyway.

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