Popcorn & haribos?

[user1498205994]

My son is going to his first real sleepover tonight - my DS Is 3 In Oct and his friend is a few days older than him.

So I spoke to my friend about what I needed to send him with and she said "nothing I have it all covered just his spare clothes" then she went on to tell me that she had brought the kids popcorn and haribos for the evening film they're going to watch.

Honestly it's really lovely of her but I'm a little worried as I haven't given my son popcorn or jelly sweets before?

I'm a bit paranoid about choking? When did you give your children popcorn and jelly sweets?

A two year old having a sleepover? Yeah that's kind of weird...

If you're worried about your child's ability to eat alone without choking then surely they're a bit young for sleeping over with someone you don't know well enough to just talk to about her choice of snacks?

Your 2 year old - who's never had Haribo or popcorn - will be going on a sleepover involving a film in the evening?

Is this for the DC or a babysitter for you? At 2, my DC only slept elsewhere if I needed a babysitter. They're too young for the social aspect of a sleepover that bigger kids enjoy.

Anyone looking after your DC you should be able to discuss sweets/popcorn choking worries with. If he's never had any food issues in the past it wouldn't worry me - just more the expectation of the set-up ... most 2 year olds don't sit still long enough for a movie with popcorn!

Is it a sleepover so you can go out? My youngest is 6 and too young for a sleepover imo. Surely you know this person well enough that you can discuss your worries? I wouldn't mind them having a few sweets etc but not loads and only if supervised. Also two toddlers watching a movie?

My DD is almost exactly the same age as your DS.

She often eats Haribo. I've given her those little 10p bags before on occasion, but she also frequently goes to play centres where they give out individual Haribo sweets to the kids that join in their activities.

She also loves sitting down to watch a movie with some popcorn on a rainy day. It's one of our favourite indoor activities

Never had any concerns about either, but she is supervised when eating them. Surely your DS will also have adults watching him. But, you need to feel comfortable with it. No point sending DS if you're going to spend the night worrying.

I honestly couldn't get worked up over pop corn and haribo. An occasional treat never did anyone any harm.

I find it odder that such a young child is going on a proper sleep over, unless it's for a reason I.e you going out and needing a babysitter.

The two boys are really good friends, they've been in each other's lives from around 3 months old. Me and my friend decided to start doing sleepovers for them to give each other a little break and so they boys can spend some more time together...

I think the issue was more "am I being an overprotective parent by not giving my child popcorn & what age did you give your children these treats" rather than the issue of them having a play date and sleeping over...

Obviously I can talk to her about not wanting him to have these treats but I just wanted some impartial advice x

I think it is a little over protective yes.

From about 2 I allowed mine to have the occasional mini bag of chocolate buttons or haribo, and she had some popcorn if we ever did movies for juniors at the cinema.

Ultimately it is upto you, but I think it's more problematic in the long run to simply not allow things rather than let them have the odd treat at parties or play dates etc. It's all about balance.

My 2 year old has had the odd bag of haribo at parties and been fine. We also have a weekly movie night with popcorn :)

Popcorn is a choking hazard, especially because of the unpopped kernels. I wouldn't give it to my 2 year old.

See the link below. Popcorn and haribo type sweets remain a choking hazard between the ages of 2 and 4, especially if a child is distracted (e.g. Watching TV).

www.babycenter.com/0_foods-that-can-be-unsafe-for-your-child_1491465.bc

He's not old enough for sweets but is old enough for sleepovers...

I don't know why I bother posting sometimes, thanks to everyone who answered my question... didn't really ask for the judgment - I literally never get a night off - I don't think I'm doing much wrong by letting him stay at my friends house for a night?

I think I'll bring it up to her that he hasn't had them before and would rather him not have them. It'll save a lot of worrying.

I think I'll bring it up to her that he hasn't had them before and would rather him not have them. It'll save a lot of worrying

I was going to come and say do this! Rather than spend all night worrying just let your friend know.

(Sorry bit of a pointless post now -but hey what else is mumsnet for if not joining in eh)

He'll be fine, obviously as long as your friend is in the same as they're eating, but that's just common sense at that age. As for the sleepovers that people are getting worked up about, I think it's a great idea, me and SIL plan on doing something similar soon.

I wonder if she means the Organix banana/cinnamon popcorn? But as for the haribo !

Agree with you OP. My DS is 3 in November, and has never had popcorn or haribos. Everyone does things different. I have a friend who feeds her DS (3 in December), whole grapes, and doesn't seem to find an issue with it (I've told her about the choking risks etc). Popcorn is a big choking hazard, and my DS just doesn't like sweets so haribos has never been a topic to discuss.
Best thing to just let her know you're not comfortable with DS eating them, don't feel overprotective at all. We all do what we need to do to keep our children safe.

My DS just turned 2 and he hasn't had popcorn. I believe they still don't allow it until he moves to the next class at nursery which will be when he is about 3.

Haribo he has had similar sweets so I wouldn't worry about that so much personally.

I have an almost 2 year old and a 3.5 year old and neither have had pop corn or haribos. Mainly due to the choking risk. I suppose the might like popcorn but the stuff I buy for me is too sweet. Haribos? Just never bothered giving them any!