To let 7yo drink fizzy drinks and chewing gum?

[Idiot123]

So I met my stepson today (he's 7) long story but cut short his mum moved down south and constantly made excuses to not allow my now husband to see him (last time he saw him was 3 year ago) after she kept declining mediation. (We are together 5 years, I hadn't met him as she never wanted me there when husband -at the time partner- would see him, briefly met on FaceTime.
Her relationship blew up so she moved back over and we're now having him on weekends (first day today) not overnight yet.
anyway, he comes in clutching a coke with his hand literally taking it everywhere (diet if that makes any difference) and chewing chewing gum whenever he wasn't eating!
husband also took him to Lidl as he wanted a specific sandwich, so they got some bits from the bakery, he literally had a tiny nibble of the sandwich, decided to feed it to the dog and demolish a chocolate donut in about 30 seconds!
husband doesn't want to rock the boat as he's only just got him back, I guess we're both a bit thrown off by his behaviour and if this is normal for a 7 year old?

I would want my child to drink fizzy drinks on a regular basis ( a treat once in a while ok ) but certainly wouldn't want them to chew gum.
But that said I did as a kid so I am been hypocritical.

However all that said , under your / DH circumstances I would leave it for now . But very very gently over the next few months ( presuming visits are weekly ) start trying to introduce more healthy and less wasteful eating.
To start with swap chocolate coated donut for a plainer ring donut, chewing gum for natural chewy sweets , coke for flavored fizzy water.
Most important make the child feel welcome and loved and lead by example.

Thank you for responding! I remember drinking fizzy drinks but I can't remember what age, chewing gum was only high school and I didn't dare do it at home haha.
thank you for the advice, yes we are having him weekly now luckily, feels very alien to me but he seems very comfortable around us which is making me feel better about it all, we're trying to make him comfortable but don't wanna overly spoil him lol

I was brought up in the 1960's/70's when friends would have fizzy drinks delivered to the house - remember the Corona delivery anyone? My mother disapproved of this &, if we were thirsty, we had water from the tap or squash.

I never allowed my DCs to have fizzy drinks & see no reason why a 7 year old would want to chew chewing gum. My DGCs don't have fizzy drinks & I've never seen them with chewing gum, but then their parents are very focussed on healthy eating, limit sweets, biscuits, cakes etc. My DD is a nurse so is very keen on ensuring her DCs have a healthy diet, plenty of fresh air, exercise etc. My DSs & DILs are similar.

However, since DH is re-establishing a relationship I wouldn't rock the boat by saying anything at this stage. Perhaps don't have any coke in the house, but have squash, Nesquik (or similar) for flavoured milk generally more suitable drinks readily available for him (you could take him shopping & ask him to choose his preferred flavour). Also encourage him to get involved in meal preparation - I often make pizzas with a scone base with GC as they can choose their toppings &, since they've enjoyed creating their own, they tend to eat them.

@Ilovepastafortea ha ha our local pop delivery was from Ben shaws which we bought from every week, we only hot 2 bottles ( 2 lt each I think ) and they were shared between me my DB, DM & DD and had to last a week .
We also had a soda stream when they still came with glass bottles!

The home made pizza was a hit in our house to but we didn't use pizza bases , we used barm cakes .

Something you could do perhaps @Idiot123

Ah thanks all for the input! We both don't really drink fizzy drinks, it's a treat if we do lol so we just found it bizarre 😂

we've really enjoyed it today otherwise, I think as time goes on we'll enforce our routine more (as we're just trying to make sure he's happy and comfortable atm)

I would be really unhappy but honestly don't know what to suggest. You obviously want to keep things amicable and spend time building this relationship.

We have a friend who lets her youngest eon, also 7, have multiple fizzy drinks a day. I keep my mouth shut but I hate it. She's a smart woman but it's like she just can't be bothered to say no anymore