nothing better than gangly 15yo tucking into 5 weetabix straight after huge dinner?

[lightlypoached]

AIBU as a mother to think there is nothing better than watching your 15 yo gangly, long-legged lovely boy tucking into a giant bowl of cereal just after demolishing a giant dinner of pasta?

I remember the time DC1 had a friend over in reception who had seconds (when my lot had barely touched theirs) and then thirds and then looked in the saucepan and said "would it be ok if I just ate the rest?" Yes of course you may, you appreciative small food receptacle.

And I also remember going shopping for Venture Scout camp, and being shocked how much we'd need to buy for teenaged boys. There were two brothers who were the worst culprits at being bottomless pits - but they in turn were shocked at how much their longer brother could eat

Weird thread. I'd be pissed off if mine ate that much.

Why?

my 17 year just ate a large bowl of pasta, garlic bread and then asked if we were going to Nando's!!

Weird thread. I'd be pissed off if mine ate that much.
Glad it’s not just me that thought it was odd! I’m not sure I’d be pissed off more baffled that anyone thinks 7 weetabix for breakfast is remotely healthy or ok.

@Notso, why?

My DC1 is fed at school five times a day for precisely this reason. He also seems to spend his entire allowance on food, in the local convenience shop. He replicates this at home, and is like the proverbial beanpole. Most of my money is spent on Weetabix in the holidays, as that seems to be the post-supper snack de rigour. What is wrong with this?

Oh, go away, auto-correct. De rigeur.

@Ipswichwitch, I love the 'racing snake' description. That would be my DC1, too.

My favourite thing about your post is the love and joy you still find in a 15yo. People moan so much about teenagers it’s a relief that my ds will still be bringing me that joy in 11 years time.

At the moment I hear “mum, I look hungry” about 100 times a day so I’m quite sure this is a sight I will see

My DS is 16 and absolutely shovels it away. I can’t keep up with the banana and porridge requirements. And he is as skinny as you like, but really tall, towers over his little Mum. It’s all absolutely it fuelling growth. And the PP is right thatthey get lovelier. He was a grumpy, grunting sod about 18 months ago and somehow a charming young man seems to have emerged from the sweaty, spotty chrysalis. It’s wonderful to see them grow and spread their wings.

Not one post about a daughter hoovering up weetabix I guess just boys are allowed to eat a ton and we just tinkly laugh, if it was a girl we'd all be convinced of an eating disorder

7 weetabix is 420 calories excluding milk. That’s the same as a blueberry muffin from Costa.

YANBU
Mine used to see the paediatrician monthly because he was so small and underweight. Now I have to buy weetabix & milk daily to keep him going. He's taller than me and absolutely lovely. I'm so pleased!

I have a pretty huge 17 year old but I'd be pissed off and worried if he was eating as much as some of the teens listed here. He loves his grub and eats well but nothing like some of the quantities mentioned even for much younger children. Thank fully

My 14 year old is 6’2 and played sport 5 times a week. He just eats the weekly shop as it arrives.

The whole shop?

I hear you OP, I have a teen who is super skinny and has always been a fussy eater. It makes me bizarrely happy to see him tucking in to a hearty meal and then having a huge random pudding to top it off

Yes grown about a foot in the last year and still going strong so clearly needs the fuel!

@Brainstormer123 Could you entertain the idea that boys' and girls' development/requirements are different? I have both, and it's the boys who eat a ton and are still like sticks. Their schools seem to accommodate the need of teenage boys to eat incessantly. I don't think it's a sexist thing. I am grateful for Weetabix and Shredded Wheat, as however much my DS eats, they're probably better for him than Costa muffins.

😁

My teen DD had a friend from overseas visiting recently. Apparently one day when they went out they had chips so the next day they didn’t eat because they felt guilty.

I’ve told DD there are only 2 rules regarding food. 80/20 rule and the Golden rule. Eat what’s healthy 80% percent of time and whatever you want 20% of the time. And always enjoy what you eat.

I remember this with my now 19yo.
We'd have a good dinner, I'd clear up, go up to settle his younger brother in bed, come down and find he'd arranged a small feast on the arms of the armchair he was watching telly from. To be fair, it was always pretty good stuff; lots of fruit and crackers etc.

If my kids were eating that much I would think they had a tapeworm!!

Anyone else craving Weetabix whilst reading this?

@Brainstormer we’ve had the eating issues with DD and glad to say we are out the other side (for now after lots of treatment). She now shovels it in and that makes me so very happy.

I love when my children eat well. Son and daughter! DS9 used to eat fairly well but seems to get fussier by the day. He'd eat a tonne of chicken though! DD6 generally eats well anyway, not necessarily good sized portions but enjoys plenty of fruit and veg.

This post is making me want to buy weetabix. I don't think the kids like it but I do!

I have two teenagers now and my DD out eats my DS everyday. He has an appalling diet with all sorts of sensory issues and is stubborn so would rather not eat at all than eat the wrong thing. I'd love him to eat the evening weetabix I remember my brother doing at this age. I think I ate the same as my brother but probably at different times.

I don't think boys eat more than girls, I wouldnt dish out penis portions - I would let them self regulate.

brainstormer123 boys tend to have sharper and greater growth spurts which obv require more calories than girls who tend to have a more gradual and lesser one.

TEND to obv before people go bonkers!