Would you let your 5 year old chew chewing gum.........

[scarymaryme]

I have a small dilema, my dd is 5 and pesters me nonstop to let her have chewing gum. I have automatically said no every time, as I'm worried she will just eat it, choke, get it in her hair, on the furniture etc etc. The trouble is, we live in a close, and my dd best buddies (aged 5 and 6)both are allowed it. They come to call for her chewing away merrily. I am now wondering whether it is all that bad after all, and to just let her. I feel like I'm being the meanest mummy in the world!!
Anyone any opinions on this????

Havent read all either, but a resounding NOPE

1. I fear he will choke
2. Its noisy!
3. It looks hideous
4. gastric juices are excited and cause uneccesary acids to tiny empty tums
5. He will probably stick it somewhere bloody expensive which I will have to replace.

No

Just seen Skribbles post

He definately doesnt need any more help in the wind department!!!

"gastric juices are excited and cause uneccesary acids to tiny empty tums"

"it was a very hot cinnamon flavour chewing gum"

I am drunk and irrational and I don;t care. For goodness sake women! Dr McKenzie mentioned no gastric juices and I value his comments as a medical porofessional. And why, wehy, why, why would you be so twisted as to give your own flesh and blood cinammon - yes conamon - flavoured chewing gum?!

What. What. What are you all going to do when you have teenagers.

?

I have a thing about chewing gum. In my day it was considered common.
Now it is supposed to be good for your teeth!
My husband has started a chewing gum habit. It makes me want to punch him......maybe I need help

pointfangedWeredog - I fail to see the link to teenagers personally. I work with teenagers and the most troubled teenagers are without doubt those who have been brought up without consistent rules and boundaries (and love and support).

I have not read the entire thread but wanted to add one of those pathetic anecdotes about my childhood posts. I was never allowed to chew gum so I used to pick it off the pavement to be like my mates...

The first thing my godmother handed my brother and I when we would visit was a big pack of gum because she thought that it was pathetic that my mother did not allow us to chew gum... We worshipped the ground she walken on as a result!

To this day, I always want to have gum in my mouth. I do allow our children to have the occasional chew following a meal out or an unplanned snack when they cannot brush their teeth. It is the only sugar-free product that has ever been in their mouths. (DS2 is 4)

I remember that I had to get a 10p mix with no bubble gum after I copied Violet out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and stuffed gum behind my ear (actually more stuck it to my hair).

Well, I have decided not to give it to her myself..my dh doesn't think it would be such a hot idea, because my 3 year old may then want some too (and he definately will get it in his hair!!!) I thought though, if she was given some I wouldn't get upset, I'd ask her not to bring it in the house. I know I had it as a kid and my parents didn't like it but that kindof made me want it more!
So I will compromise, especially as I feel a bit more reasured it won't stick her insides together if she does swallow it!
Thanks all