Adult and child foods? A British thing?

[StandardRussian66]

I got bitched at yet again today by the group I meet with for lunch occasionally.
They find it very strange that my 3 year old eat “adult food”.
I have lived in 4 countries and have only ever come across this in Britain.
It is very strange?
Why would child’s only eat plain food?
My DD had calamari, for reference, incase that is odd. I am part Japanese so she is no stranger to fish.
Aibu to find it equally strange that some toddlers were still being fed mashed food?

My guess is they bitched at you because you were all smuggy about " oh my kid doesn't eat shitty kids food like your kids do".

Nope, not British at all, Common everywhere, plainer and blander versions of adult foods. Lots of kids just eat the same as their parents though.

I had a two year old who would eat anything, this had changed considerably by the time he turned 3. I started off giving both my boys everything, but I got to the point where I was so sick of them not eating what I gave them (adult food), it was wastful, expensive and caused too many rows. These days I give the boys (now aged nearly 11 and nearly 8) what they will eat, this is mainly what would be considered kids food, with a few adult bits that they like thrown it, eg sushi for older boy. I wish they would eat anything and get frustrated by being limited, although I know this is because I refuse to do separate meals. I wouldn't have envisaged this 10 years ago. Think you have to be careful cause there is no worse feeling to any Mother than being judged. We all need our kids to eat.

My children have never eaten off the child's menu in their lives, they're picky though as both have autism. The only criticism we've ever received were from rude elderly family members who we don't bother much with anymore. It surprises me that a whole group of supposed friends would make such comments.

Sorry, posted too soon. I don't ever comment on what others do, but I do think it's an British & American thing on the whole though. I don't remember seeing a children's menu in France or Italy (just small portions of main meals)

Well that is odd, I have lived in a few European countries and am now in Britain and have never encountered that attitude anywhere I’ve lived, including Britain.
Maybe you need some different friends!

A 3 year old had a pouch of food? I’ve never encountered that.

You need to meet my youngest nephew. Still being spoon fed baby ready meals from hipp organic. Doesnt even feed himself.

Mine will try any and eat most things, and like me enjoy the odd chicken nugget. The only comments ever made have been positive tbh, most people neither notice nor care.

I think it’s a class thing.

It’s perfectly possible to ask for half portions or a spare plate.

I think it's more about the portion size surely? Ordering a 3 year old a adult portion is abit much.

I’m British, and I detest this attitude towards food that is so ingrained in many others here.

My DH and I love eating and cooking food from a very wide variety of countries, and are definitely of the mindset that our DD will try eating a bit of everything that we do.

She has eaten a variety of spices, flavours and textures as a result, from as soon as she was able to eat solids. She can also eat with toddler chopsticks, say ‘itadakimasu’ and ‘Bon appétit.’

My DD who will soon be 3 years old, has tried food from the following cuisines: Pakistani, Indian, Japanese, French, Persian, Eritrean, Chinese, English, Turkish, Lebanese, Greek, Thai, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Afghani, Iraqi, Bosnian, Swedish, Croatian and Moroccan.

We’ve travelled quite a bit with her, and live in London with a plethora of cuisines all around. We have friends and family from other countries who we recipe swap with, and I also have a wealth of recipe books from many countries.

You’ve only ever heard this in Britain? How can that be possible? Children’s meal are sold in lots of countries

I haven’t ever heard anyone speak like you describe so I can’t imagine it’s common. I did think it was fairly common for children to like calamari though, it’s soft and easy to eat and an exciting shape. What more could a child want? My 2 love it

I 100 percent agree. I’m Western Indian, and from 3 kids are fed with the family. Pretty much the only thing they don’t have is the spicy pickles / fried chillies we eat on the side. So they eat normal food too, and it’s always the ‘rude white British’ crowd who feel the need to comment about it - my stock answer is that eating flavoursome food with the family is the reason my kids aren’t obese like theirs. Causes an argument but I don’t care.

“Today 16:34 CraftyGin

I think it’s a class thing.

It’s perfectly possible to ask for half portions or a spare plate.“

Wtf? Which class?

I was not smuggy 😂
I just ordered food!
It’s not about what kids like, we like fish fingers and nuggets too.
The point I try to make is they will not let this kids event try the food.
English is not my first language so might not be making sense the way I want.

I think it’s a class thing

in what way exactly?

Middle, obviously 🙄

Middle class what?

Whoooosh!

Whoooosh!

What are you basing that view on crafty?

with the family is the reason my kids aren’t obese like theirs. Causes an argument but I don’t care.

Course you do.

What on earth do you base that on crafty?

What an odd thread... The replies not the op. It is very much part of British culture to have a children's menu that consists of nuggets/burgers and chips. It annoys me. My kids will eat reasonably well but if they spot beige crap on the menu then they'll opt for that instead. I know loads of people who will make a kids tea and then make a different, more adult meal for themselves. There really is no reason (other than cost/availability) why a kid would prefer a fish finger to calamari when it's not even a strong flavour.

" it’s always the ‘rude white British’ crowd who feel the need to comment about it - "

how exactly could they do that when you are eating at home? Do you invite them in for dinner?

honestly the nonsense that people come out with is stunning.

Praxis?