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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Adult and child foods? A British thing?

717 replies

StandardRussian66 · 27/01/2018 16:15

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?

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 27/01/2018 16:41

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".

My thoughts exactly.

Friedgreen · 27/01/2018 16:41

@dull actually yes I do. Hmm

Elementally · 27/01/2018 16:42

Children's food is the norm in loads of countries. In India, it's daal. In Italy, mushy pasta and sauce. The specifics change but the concept is similar. That young children prefer a blander and more repetitive diet than older children and adults. That's actually backed up in science. Young children are naturally averse to unfamiliar foods as a protective measure before they're old enough to have learnt what is safe to eat.

Dazedandconfuzzled · 27/01/2018 16:42

My dd used to eat lots of different things as do me and dh. But then she decided about 2 months ago that everything was yucky, she didn't want to eat it. I don't judge what other people feed their kids unless it's coke and crisps for every meal cause kids are fickle little things and it doesn't make you a better parent for having an adventurous child or a bad parent for having a fussy eater.

Original poster
StandardRussian66 · 27/01/2018 16:42

But my kid does eat shitty kids foods. Jesus. Why would I be smug about a fucking battered squid ring? Is not exactly healthy is it.

OP posts:
HeroicHyena · 27/01/2018 16:42

I find it odd too.

We attempt to instil healthy-eating habits in our children, yet we also teach them that eating out is all about chicken nuggets, burgers and chips.

I love venues that do mini-menus for children based on tasty, nutritious food so that children can enjoy the same eating out experience as parents. Ie. A lovely meal, rather than a crappy one.

grasspigeons · 27/01/2018 16:42

I think the childrens menus in the uk are pretty rubbish compared to those I have seen in many other countries - so I think it probably is a cultural thing. - I don't know what people eat at home though in those other countries though.

Friedgreen · 27/01/2018 16:42

People should be more sensible about what their kids eat. Not sure why a kids menu full of chicken / fish fingers and other shit is better than sushi / calamari / a good home made curry. Lots of lazy parenting examples on this thread.

MsGameandWatching · 27/01/2018 16:43

Imagine if I said "it's always the rude black Western Indian Crowd" who ask questions or respond aggressively. Imagine the uproar.

taskmaster · 27/01/2018 16:43

Whoooosh

Could you trying english? "It's a class thing, middle obviously" is not an actual coherent whole thought.

DullAndOld · 27/01/2018 16:43

OK yes love , course you invite rude people into your house , feed them then tell them their children are obese, and then have an argument with them...course you do...
Grin

Friedgreen · 27/01/2018 16:43

@msgame - if it’s factual why not? Hmm

Eolian · 27/01/2018 16:44

I can't understand why people are being so unpleasant to the OP. She ordered what she considers normal food for her child and got a load of criticism and snarky comments. Why would you not believe that? I'm not surprised by it at all and have often noticed the difference between British kids at restaurants and pubs eating beige kudfie food and children in other European countries eating proper food.

YANBU OP. Chicken nuggets seem to be pretty standard for children dining out here. My dc are irritatingly fussy eaters, but I do try and get them to choose a half portion of something from the adult menu if the children's menu is beige and dull. I'd love it if they ate calamari!

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/01/2018 16:44

My dd would only eat puréed and mushy food (apart from toast) until she was 2.5. You are lucky your 3 yo will eat everything and that’s great. At 3 I would have ordered a meal in a restaurant but had plenty of back up food in my bag. I could have been the parent with the pouches if dd had refused her meal in the restaurant. Not by choice. I would have prechecked the menu to ensure chicken nuggets or pizza was available.

Cherrycokewinning · 27/01/2018 16:44

Oh crafty. You don’t speak for all working class people dO you?

Anyway didn’t you say you don’t have children’s meals for your children? So there you go, you’re a working class person who doesn’t order them. I can assure you there are many more like you

DullAndOld · 27/01/2018 16:44

I know right, MsGame, nice bit of racism right there...

Friedgreen · 27/01/2018 16:44

In fact I do. I’m not a lazy parent and so do invite my kids’ friends’ parents over sometimes. It’s those idiots that comment

TheElementsSong · 27/01/2018 16:45

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".

I find it really fascinating, the assumption here that not ordering from the children's menu = smuggery.

sanesera · 27/01/2018 16:45

I am with you on this OP.

MsGameandWatching · 27/01/2018 16:45

Can I ask you how many times "rude white people" have commented on the food you're eating and how many times you've responded telling them their children are obese? You say "always" which means it must happen fairly regularly.

Chienrouge · 27/01/2018 16:46

Calamari is pretty beige and dull though! It’s deep fried squid. Not much different to a fish finger.

LEELULUMPKIN · 27/01/2018 16:46

I've certainly seen kiddie menu's/Child targeted meals in the USA, many, many times, so no, it's not just a British thing. Before I had my DS I swore that a Happy Meal would never pass his lips on my say so, however now at the age of 12, being born severely disabled with SEN and no ability to chew, I would sell my soul to see him eat a chicken nugget. Should have been more careful for what I wished for!

Cherrycokewinning · 27/01/2018 16:47

Completely agree with Msgame on this one. The responses on this post are racist and classist.

taskmaster · 27/01/2018 16:47

Calamari is in no way superior to a fish finger, both seafood in breadcrumbs and fried.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 27/01/2018 16:47

My kids have always eaten what we eat. However, they did enjoy a kids menu when we ate out. They got to try the sort of novelty crap I didn't buy at home (turkey dinosaurs, smiley faces) they got smaller portions and they tended to have a drink and icecream included which kept costs down (we have four kids).

DS came home from a playdate when he was about 8 very excited that he had had 2restaurant food" (smiley faces) at his friend's house.

To be honest, if your friends criticise your food choices, then they are being quite rude.

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