BTDT Moms - WWYD?

Or more likely, what do you do?

We're not at this point yet, but I am curious to see how moms of toddlers and older handles these types of situations.

My cousin has a 4 year old. She allows him to eat anything he wants all day long as long as he eats one fruit, one vegetable and one protien per day. He basically snacks all day long on m&m's, chips, crackers, lollypops, you name it. The week of easter he spent the entire day holding onto a gigantic bunny and ate the entire thing in a 5 hour period.

their typical day starts with breakfast - bagels, waffles, pancakes, cereal, whatever. Nothing bad, normal breakfast food. For the next 3-4 hours he will then have a snack cup of m&m's, then a 100 calorie pack of cookies, then some pretzles, then another 100-calorie pack, etc....
By the 4th or so time he asks for another snack, she says "ok choose apple or banana or a piece of turkey." He will east one slice of deli turkey or a hald of banana.
Then for the next 5-6 hours, he repeats the above - m&m's again, two bowls of ice cream, a candy bar, etc.
Then she'll say "ok, have 1 chicken nugget and a piece of broccoli".
He ends his night with two ice pops.

In addition, she'll give him these snacks AS we put dinner on the table, so the kid is totally not interested in anything for dinner.

Sorry, this is so long, but I wanted to make the picture clear.

So my question is, when your kid is around this, how do you handle it? This is someone I spend a LOT of time with. My child will be staying there overnight sometimes for sleepovers - I don't know how I am going to approach this subject when the time comes.

Message edited 5/16/2008 11:08:32 AM.

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

for dinner he eats just one nugget and a piece of broccoli?

Im not a BTDT mom with this. But i dont plan on hiding all junk food from my dd. I feel if i teach her moderation with it then that will be better in the long run. I had a friend whos parents didnt give them at all, then when they got older and could have on their own, they went nuts.. overboard on it b/c they were never exposed to it.

If your child is around her child all the time.. hmmm.. thats a tough call. How old is your child?

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

I'm all for picking my battles with my toddler when it comes to food. But IMO that's alot of junk and empty calories that could be replaced with better options.
BUT on the other hand, my 2 year old can eat m&ms like they are going out of style if i let her.

I'm big on EVERYTHING in MODERATION. I never deprive myself, so i won't deprive my kiddies.

But in your situation and to answer your question, if you are around this family alot and the junk food will always be available i'd let my kids have some, like 5 m&ms for example, but i would stand my ground on how i feel about too much junk throughout the day no matter who the person is and whomever watches my kids should abide by my wishes the best they can.


Who doesn't love junk? It tastes so much better than broccoli!

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

I wouldn't be able to sleep.

Knowing me I'd have to mention something now about how there is no way my kid will eat this much!

But then again my oldest DD gains 5 lbs looking at salad so this situation would be a nightmare for me!

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

I agree about everything in moderation -and I do plan on allowing my child to experience all sorts of goodies (he's already had ice cream!) but in moderation.
This kid is anything but moderate. He literally bounces off the walls from the moment he wakes up until the moment he passes out (that's a whole other story! lol).
It's hard to watch, and I am anxious already over it and my DS is only 8 months.

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

Posted by Elbee

I agree about everything in moderation -and I do plan on allowing my child to experience all sorts of goodies (he's already had ice cream!) but in moderation.
This kid is anything but moderate. He literally bounces off the walls from the moment he wakes up until the moment he passes out (that's a whole other story! lol).
It's hard to watch, and I am anxious already over it and my DS is only 8 months.

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

I agree, he is completely addicted, to the point that I question if he has some sort of issue or if it just the sugar talking, you know? She knows how other people feel (my father (her uncle) especially is one to make comments all the time to her) - I just don't know how I would tell a 3 year old to not have that bowl of ice cream right before dinner when his cousin so clearly is.

She has another child only a few months older than DS, I often wonder how she will be with the food as she gets older and how that will be with my DS.

Erg, it's such a bad situation.

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

how to tell a toddler no, just do it and stick by your decision. At that age they wont' understand too much explanation.

"i know your cousin is having a bowl of ice cream before dinner, i'm sorry, i know your upset, i would be too, but our rule is dessert after dinner."

My rules at home are ALWAYs enforced when we are out, no matter where we are. You pick your battles def, but we don't have a separate set of rules for outside the house.

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

I know but it's easier said than done when it's just two adult and three kids and two of them are going to town all day. It's going to be tough to not make an issue with my cousin (who is my best friend also )

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

Posted by LuvMy2Girls

how to tell a toddler no, just do it and stick by your decision. At that age they wont' understand too much explanation.

"i know your cousin is having a bowl of ice cream before dinner, i'm sorry, i know your upset, i would be too, but our rule is dessert after dinner."

My rules at home are ALWAYs enforced when we are out, no matter where we are. You pick your battles def, but we don't have a separate set of rules for outside the house.

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

I def feel for you, it's going to be a tough situation when it comes up for everyone.

I would think, as long as you said to her without judgement or being condescending, you just want to do things differently with your child and in no way would you ever tell her or judge her on her decisions.

As parents you know as i do, the last thing we want to hear what we do is wrong is unacceptable and to be judged.

I feel for you, i def do

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

IMO, that is a LOT of snacks. However, I AM impressed she gets him to eat the chicken and broccoli as well as the lunch.

Lately Steven doesn't eat anything but pretzles and teddy grahams

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

I have two sets of cousins - one has three boys and they snack on fruit and veggies. They say "Donuts are nasty" -- trained by my cousins.

Other set let's there kids eat candy, cake whatever. Not excessive but when it's around they can have it.

We are all always together and the three boys know that they need to eat fruit, veggies whatever before they can even have a half of a cookie. They don't fight it. It is what it is. They are also three of the best behaved kids I have ever seen though.

I think it's all in how you bring up your children - they will know their limitations and what they can and cannot do.

Re: BTDT Moms - WWYD?

We have a different set of rules in our house. My kids know they're not getting a snack before dinner & it's offered, I would say "I don't want to spoil their dinner."

I don't care what anyone chooses to feed their kid, but mine aren't having a free for all & they know it.