Parents let their kids eat trash?

juiceomatic

Someone wants to monitor the world and make Judgy McJudgerton judgements on others despite a complete lack of background or understanding.

Seems legit.

AH HA HA! Judgy McJudgerton

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I don't have a horse in this race. My son is gluten free and will eat whatever I feed him. I still make the majority of his food so that he has the same options as his friends. The first time I fed him jarred baby food is the first time he projectile vomited. When we go out he eats hot dog, veg & fries when he's had enough of the first two. That being said, tonight I made him ice cream sandwiches for school, because I eat treats in moderation and he needs to learn the same. His bed time treat is 4 mini marshmallows, his favorite food is sushi an miso soup, he loves saag . . . he's not the average 3 year old. My friends and I make different decisions as far as food and beverages, but at the end of the day it's our decisions, not yours.

JDHINAZ

Good grief people, lighten up. Last I checked, childhood obesity is at an all time high. It's a fair question from someone with no kids.
Full disclosure, I don't have kids. Although I was a nanny for a very short period of time. So I do understand the pain and suffering a screamy little kid brings who doesn't want to eat their veggies.

AngelicxAnnihilation

I can only assume it's because kids like to eat with their fingers.. I don't have kids. I just notice it a lot too.... and I think that's one of the problems with obesity. Kids learn their eating habits at a young age..

I ate with my fingers as a child and I was tiny, I still eat with my fingers and while I may not be tiny anymore that has nothing to do with my eating habits..

AnaCoffee

So this! So very, very much this! Before our son got diagnosed with his eating disorder, we also used McDonald's as a treat. He was in the hospital for asthma so often from birth to age 6. To make the emergency trip to the ER, which often resulted in a week-long stay in the pediatric unit better, he got a treat. Obviously, not at birth when he was nursing, but as a toddler & young child? Yes, he got a Happy Meal to make up for being constantly woken up to have his blood drawn, his pulse-ox monitor checked, be given yet another dose of liquid medicine which burned like fire in his mouth and tasted like poo, to have to lay there with a mask on his face every few hours for treatments. And our kid was in far better shape than others in the unit.

~getting off my Mom soapbox

This really hit home. My oldest son was very sick when he was 2 and he loved McDonald's and it made him so happy, he was on crazy steroids so he looked huge and I was judged for it often and even my father judged me... he died just before he turned 3 and when we had my second son he said 'don't feed this one crap' this makes me uber sensitive to what goes in my kids mouths now since I replay what he said over and over again in my head For the record he is now retired and takes my kids to McDonald's on average 3 times a week! I suggested he just buy them the happy meal toys or a smoothy every other time :S

OMGosh! So sorry! ((hugs)) For your dad...:explode: :mad:

Ugh, the steroids! They would make my son bloated too. Before our hospital got it's own pediatric ER, we'd get angry looks from hospital staff and visitors because our kid would be so jumpy that my hub would take him for little walks with his monitor trailing beside him or let him off the bed to jiggle around in the tiny, curtained off space. It's like what did you expect from a toddler hyped up on steroids at 3 in the morning? Did you really expect him to stay perfectly still? :noway:

Parent tip that worked for us, but of course may not work for all: Bring an extra nebulizer (or oxygen) mask for your child's favorite stuffed animal. That way your kid isn't the only one getting a treatment, etc and is a bit calmer since his friend needs his medicine too. It took us about 2 years to figure out that one. :ohwell:

BTW, My hub says it's a good thing he's not responding to this thread. :explode: And sorry for going off topic.

Athijade

The biggest issue with the OP's claims is that they are only looking at a snapshot of a person's life. They are not seeing the day by day, all day situations. So they are making a judgement based off of a hour. That is no where enough time to get an actual look as to what is happening in the long run.

chancock6

When I babysit, I cut strawberries and carrots for the kids. Let them eat pears or apple slices. Maybe peanut butter and celery sticks. The thing is no kid is going to want a salad for dinner. They want french fries and chicken nuggets and ice cream and cookies. Every once in a while that's okay, especially at a restaurant. I never take them to Mcdonalds or other greasy fast food places, but they're children, you know? They like sugar and fatty food. As long as you don't let it get out of control, that sort of thing is fine.

jgood21

This exact subject makes me so damn irritated! I swear people think that it is child abuse if you feed your kids healthy food! And you know what?!? I hate even calling it healthy food! IT'S FOOD!! REAL DAMN FOOD!! The garbage that most people feed their kids is disgusting!! I have people judge me all the time because my kids eat what I eat...vegetables, proteins, low sugar. They think that I am being unfair to my kids and that I'm not feeding them real food. I love how people think that hot dogs, cookies, candy, pizza, etc is a great diet for kids. To me, FEEDING YOUR KIDS THAT CRAP IS ABUSE!! Sorry! Had to rant..I was having this exact discussion with someone today because they said they couldn't diet because they couldn't feed their kids diet food!!! What exactly is diet food?? Are you talking vegetables, fiber, good oils/fats, lean meats? Because that is real food!! GRRRR

harleykat64

I probably shouldn't but I am going to throw in my opinion. I have 4 children, none of which are obese ( one is underweight and on a extra high calorie diet due to medical issues) Most children are EXTREMELY picky, and the better their palette the more picky they are. The most parents can do is offer healthy choices and go from there. I had one child REFUSE to eat for 4 days because she didn't want the meals that were made. which resulted in an ER visit and a bunch of iv's and a doc telling me that she is stubborn and I should give her the foods she wants ( which is always carbs) From that day forward I did just that for the most part ( I do NOT make special meals for just one child so I offer one side option that I know she likes) and our life got so much happier. She is now a healthy, active, happy 8 year old. Parents are getting overly criticized in the obesity battle and the dreaded formula vs breastfeeding battle. If you Love and nurture your child you are a good parent! Take a deep breath and tell the rest of the world to F off.

I think childhood obesity is out of control this day and age because it is not safe to let our children go outside and play. It is not safe to let your 8 year old run around and come home at dusk. So kids are now playing indoors, which quickly leads to sacking out in front of a movie etc. If we want to work on the obesity epidemic we need to work on neighbor hood safety and making safe after school programs accessible for children of all income levels. Stop judging parents and do something proactive for your community.

cupcakes_and_cardio

Bottom line, if you don't have children, then don't speak - like - at all. And, by seeing this happen at a restaurant, do you follow them home, too? My point is, you don't know these people, so who are to judge what choices they make at a restaurant, which very well could be the exact opposite of how they eat at home? Oh, and you watch people at restaurants? I think you have a bit too much time on your hands

pinkraynedropjacki

Bottom line, if you don't have children, then don't speak - like - at all. And, by seeing this happen at a restaurant, do you follow them home, too? My point is, you don't know these people, so who are to judge what choices they make at a restaurant, which very well could be the exact opposite of how they eat at home? Oh, and you watch people at restaurants? I think you have a bit too much time on your hands

So just because someone does not children gives you the right to tell them to STFU? When did parents become so damn bossy towards others?

MyChocolateDiet

I probably shouldn't but I am going to throw in my opinion. I have 4 children, none of which are obese ( one is underweight and on a extra high calorie diet due to medical issues) Most children are EXTREMELY picky, and the better their palette the more picky they are. The most parents can do is offer healthy choices and go from there. I had one child REFUSE to eat for 4 days because she didn't want the meals that were made. which resulted in an ER visit and a bunch of iv's and a doc telling me that she is stubborn and I should give her the foods she wants ( which is always carbs) From that day forward I did just that for the most part ( I do NOT make special meals for just one child so I offer one side option that I know she likes) and our life got so much happier. She is now a healthy, active, happy 8 year old. Parents are getting overly criticized in the obesity battle and the dreaded formula vs breastfeeding battle. If you Love and nurture your child you are a good parent! Take a deep breath and tell the rest of the world to F off.

I think childhood obesity is out of control this day and age because it is not safe to let our children go outside and play. It is not safe to let your 8 year old run around and come home at dusk. So kids are now playing indoors, which quickly leads to sacking out in front of a movie etc. If we want to work on the obesity epidemic we need to work on neighbor hood safety and making safe after school programs accessible for children of all income levels. Stop judging parents and do something proactive for your community.

:flowerforyou:

KristysLosing

Marvin!!!

We don't eat out often...but what the kids want depends on what their choices are. And quite frankly...the way they run around. I'm not worried right now.

VeinsAndBones

This exact subject makes me so damn irritated! I swear people think that it is child abuse if you feed your kids healthy food! And you know what?!? I hate even calling it healthy food! IT'S FOOD!! REAL DAMN FOOD!! The garbage that most people feed their kids is disgusting!! I have people judge me all the time because my kids eat what I eat...vegetables, proteins, low sugar. They think that I am being unfair to my kids and that I'm not feeding them real food. I love how people think that hot dogs, cookies, candy, pizza, etc is a great diet for kids. To me, FEEDING YOUR KIDS THAT CRAP IS ABUSE!! Sorry! Had to rant..I was having this exact discussion with someone today because they said they couldn't diet because they couldn't feed their kids diet food!!! What exactly is diet food?? Are you talking vegetables, fiber, good oils/fats, lean meats? Because that is real food!! GRRRR

You deny your children pizza? O.O

treagal

i explained to my 5 year old son the difference between fake cheese(like mcdonalds) and real cheese. then, i asked him what kind he wanted and he said "fake please" bahahahah

LiftAllThePizzas

From people watching at amusement parks and playgrounds, I noticed that parents never force their kids to do homework.

jgarrett731

This exact subject makes me so damn irritated! I swear people think that it is child abuse if you feed your kids healthy food! And you know what?!? I hate even calling it healthy food! IT'S FOOD!! REAL DAMN FOOD!! The garbage that most people feed their kids is disgusting!! I have people judge me all the time because my kids eat what I eat...vegetables, proteins, low sugar. They think that I am being unfair to my kids and that I'm not feeding them real food. I love how people think that hot dogs, cookies, candy, pizza, etc is a great diet for kids. To me, FEEDING YOUR KIDS THAT CRAP IS ABUSE!! Sorry! Had to rant..I was having this exact discussion with someone today because they said they couldn't diet because they couldn't feed their kids diet food!!! What exactly is diet food?? Are you talking vegetables, fiber, good oils/fats, lean meats? Because that is real food!! GRRRR

I agree with you. My daughter, while still young, doesn't like chicken nuggets and most other 'kid' foods. She will eat a grilled chicken wrap and apples if we go to McDonald's. She is the only one at her daycare that eats the veggies and fruit and turns down the goldfish crackers. She is used to eating those things at home so that's what she likes. Sure we give her ice cream, etc sometimes but not all kids want the fatty foods unless they are exposed to it.

Luv2h1k3

Your title is very inflammatory for someone claiming to be asking an honest question. If you were really curious, a title such "what do you order for your child when eating out?" probably would have gotten friendlier responses (not that anyone was rude or mean). Hopefully, you have figured out by now that its not a good idea to attack someone's parenting decisions especially when you have no children yourself. That's exactly what your title did.

Now if you are truly curious, I'll share my experience raising 3 active boys.

- From the time they could eat solids, they ate what we ate. I puréed whatever I made for myself and my husband. Frozen vegetables, turkey, chicken etc. (of course avoiding any allergy foods)
- When I was in the kitchen, they watched me cook. When they were old enough, I taught them how to cook.
- My kitchen was filled with fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, string cheese, chips, soda and Twinkies.
- We never experienced temper tantrums at restaurants because the got to order what sounded good to them (from the children's menu or the adult menu)
- We never forced them to eat foods they didn't like but would insist they at least try new things.
- All 3 of my boys ate good stuff, not so good stuff and down right crap sometime in their lives. Everything in moderation...

I still have fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, string cheese, chips, soda (no Twinkies) in my kitchen. I have to put "mom's" on my "diet" food or my youngest will eat it all. In other words, if given the choice they usually choose the healthy stuff.

Best of luck with your future parenting decisions...

PanaMericann

I don't know why they do it, but in my family, I fell victim to the junk food alternative. I used to laugh at kids when their parents wouldn't let them eat fast food or drink soda, but now I wish my family was stricter on my diet. Right now, they all think of me as a stick, and they constantly say I should "gain weight" because I'm "wasting away". I'm the only person in the house with a healthy BMI (I don't like the BMI system, but as an example) and that actively exercises. I hope that since being healthy is starting to grow more and more popular, the next generation of parents will be stricter on the diets of their kids. I'm not saying that there shouldn't be any junk food or fast food days, but when you have it for dinner 1-3 times a week, and the groceries consist of nothing but unhealthy things such as honeybuns and chips, it's hard to live a healthy lifestyle, especially for young kids.

AbbeyDove

No worries, OP! You didn't mean any harm, and you've surely gotten enough humorous responses to make us all laugh. Honestly, before I had the spawn I had lots of ideas about what constituted good parenting, what I would do, what I'd never do, what I was shocked other people did, etc. Then, I had the spawn. And then . . . well, some of my ideas survived, and some . . . let's just say I learned some stuff about kids. And myself. And the never ending, sometimes very joyful, sometimes very grueling marathon that is parenting a child.

Regards!

3foldchord

Trying to fatten em up, the little suckers can run too fast, they are hoping if they feed em enough the little buggers will slow down, make em easier to catch

This was my plan. They live off peanut butter and pizza and chicken nuggets and are still skinny stealthy ninja children. Now I am lifting weights and cycling to keep up with them.

stonel94

there are a few reasons: 1. they just give their kids "kid foods" which in america aren't very healthy usually 2. you only see them eating out where it might be a special treat and they're having something "bad" as a treat and/or 3. there is a very limited menu and few things that a kid will eat
Also kids portions should be controlled, if they are given 3 chicken nuggets, a handful of fries and a small scoop of ice cream every once in a while it's not going to kill them.
It's mostly portion and frequency of these foods that leads to childhood obesity, but all children should be allowed these foods so they don't get some fear of food but not too much so it doesn't become their habitual eating later in life.

PanaMericann

Please don't allow your children to eat from the trash can.

I'm crying lmfao

treagal

I don't know why they do it, but in my family, I fell victim to the junk food alternative. I used to laugh at kids when their parents wouldn't let them eat fast food or drink soda, but now I wish my family was stricter on my diet. Right now, they all think of me as a stick, and they constantly say I should "gain weight" because I'm "wasting away". I'm the only person in the house with a healthy BMI (I don't like the BMI system, but as an example) and that actively exercises. I hope that since being healthy is starting to grow more and more popular, the next generation of parents will be stricter on the diets of their kids. I'm not saying that there shouldn't be any junk food or fast food days, but when you have it for dinner 1-3 times a week, and the groceries consist of nothing but unhealthy things such as honeybuns and chips, it's hard to live a healthy lifestyle, especially for young kids.

my parents restricted us so much (there were 5 of us) that we are all fat now. bad idea...teach balance, let kids choose, let them make mistakes in choosing. i don't know...restrictions didn't work for my parents.

Dre8604

Did you consider: What some parents allow their kids to eat a restaurant and how they eat at home on the regular could be entirely different.... going out can be like a "treat". Also many kids at those younger ages are extremely PICKY eaters no matter how many foods you try to introduce to them.

PanaMericann

I don't know why they do it, but in my family, I fell victim to the junk food alternative. I used to laugh at kids when their parents wouldn't let them eat fast food or drink soda, but now I wish my family was stricter on my diet. Right now, they all think of me as a stick, and they constantly say I should "gain weight" because I'm "wasting away". I'm the only person in the house with a healthy BMI (I don't like the BMI system, but as an example) and that actively exercises. I hope that since being healthy is starting to grow more and more popular, the next generation of parents will be stricter on the diets of their kids. I'm not saying that there shouldn't be any junk food or fast food days, but when you have it for dinner 1-3 times a week, and the groceries consist of nothing but unhealthy things such as honeybuns and chips, it's hard to live a healthy lifestyle, especially for young kids.

my parents restricted us so much (there were 5 of us) that we are all fat now. bad idea...teach balance, let kids choose, let them make mistakes in choosing. i don't know...restrictions didn't work for my parents.

I agree with that, because denying kids fast food/unhealthy foods COULD result in a whiplash (Can that even be used in this context) But I feel like many people here are being defensive, as many of them are parents. I know healthy eating is usually more expensive than the cheaper alternatives, but I think the OP has a point. We should encourage a healthier lifestyle, but with tolerance and balance in having unhealthy days and choices.

And I'm in no way trying to disrespect parents here, I'm just trying to make a point. It's definitely okay to have cheat days and reward days for kids in my opinion, but it can't be a frequent thing, as well as unhealthy foods. That may not make them gain weight while they're little, but it probably will when they get older.

MelsAuntie

When I was a kid, my family very rarely ate out, and never at fast food places. We had meat, much of it hunted or homegrown, homegrown vegetables from Dad's garden, and I ate what my parents ate, period, there was no separate meal for the kid. I loved vegetables from childhood on, despite the fact that Mom cooked all veggies until soft. The only things I learned to hate were fried fish and canned tuna. --- Now I'm curious. Why do parents let their kids eat fast food and fried stuff? Why would the kids be allowed to make the decision? Is it just to avoid arguing with them about what they will eat? Wouldn't it be best to tell the kids you'll eat healthy food, you don't have a choice? Would somebody be kind enough to inform me?

pinkraynedropjacki

When I was a kid, my family very rarely ate out, and never at fast food places. We had meat, much of it hunted or homegrown, homegrown vegetables from Dad's garden, and I ate what my parents ate, period, there was no separate meal for the kid. I loved vegetables from childhood on, despite the fact that Mom cooked all veggies until soft. The only things I learned to hate were fried fish and canned tuna. --- Now I'm curious. Why do parents let their kids eat fast food and fried stuff? Why would the kids be allowed to make the decision? Is it just to avoid arguing with them about what they will eat? Wouldn't it be best to tell the kids you'll eat healthy food, you don't have a choice? Would somebody be kind enough to inform me?

Because some parents are the worst kind of parents who have no idea how to just say NO to their kids

FitterStrongerHappier

What has having a child got to do with the food choice? Parents are the ones buying it..... if the child refuses to eat what they are told to eat then they go without.

Anyone who says ' I'm guessing you dont have children then' is using poor parenting choices as an excuse. YOU Are the adult...not your child. YOU are the one buying it,.... not your child. YOU are the one who makes the decision on what they eat...not your child.

Stop making excuses.

Hmm... let me share a bit of personal experience. when I was a kid, I was 'slightly' overweight. my mom was obsessed with my weight, and she was obese as well. She put all kinds of restrictions on food, I couldn't eat this, shouldn't eat that, etc etc. one day, I started sneaking food because I liked how it tasted and she woudn't let me have it. I developed a life long unhealthy relationship with food that I am dealing with so many decades later.

My daughter does not have a 'great' diet, nor is it 'horrible' I try to be reasonable, and not go crazy on her. She's at a VERY healthy weight. does not eat much. Enjoys chocolate or some kind of treat nearly every day (we just got back from vacation, and have a lot of some of the treat foods we had still in the house - it won't be an ongoing thing for her to have these daily, but for now, no harm in it)

If she asks for a treat, I tell her she has to have something healthy first. if she's truly hungry, the healthy option should help fill her up, so that she eats less of the treat, if she still wants it. It also teaches her to reach for something healthy before the junk food. Many times she'll go to the fridge and want yogurt, or fruit, or a cheese stick over the junk in the house. Additionally, if she does ask for chocolate for example, and I tell her to eat a yogurt first, she doesn't bat an eye.

It's a process. she's 5, and she's not going to be a healthy food addict overnight. why do I say this? for the first few years, I was working 2 jobs, or tons of overtime, and barely was able to drag myself home and think about dinner most nights. My husband doesn't know how to make a healthy meal if his life depended on it, so much to my chagrin, he opted for the typical toddler fare a good portion of the time. Often I wasn't even home at dinner time. Now, I have quit my full time job, and we are able to focus more on healthy choices, and just better meals, but she's always had yogurt, fruit, cheese sticks, as go to snacks. Along with granola bars (which sadly, have less sugar in many cases than cereal!)

Anyhow - bottom line - I try really hard not to impose my food hangups on my kid. I think if we deal with food issues, we have to be VERY careful to not mirror those problems to our children. This can be feeding them over abundances of fatty fried foods all them - and or sugary foods - leading to obesity, or, it can be from being overly restrictive and forcing them into a diet that is so far removed from what their friends eat that they feel the need to 'cheat', 'sneak', 'hide' those forbidden foods from mom and dad, and may end up with an eating disorder out of it anyhow. I try to let her have the stuff, within reason, and there are definitely days when I am tired and give in so that she has something more often than I'd like to admit. BUT. She is perfectly healthy, at a great weight (some family say she is 'thin' as in too 'thin', but she's right on target per her pediatrician for her weight/height).

I just would urge caution, to not make food a big deal to your kids, I mean, prohibit it in such a way that it becomes 'bad' or 'dirty' or 'forbidden' in their heads. By doing so, we impose an unhealthy relationship with food at a young age. I want my daughter to focus on 'healthy' choices, more so than 'treats', but I don't try to make her feel that chocolate, or nuggets are BAD for her. Treats, in limitation, sure, to be eaten after something good and nourishing. but I don't want to impose my food issues on her - I was a victim of that, and it took me from a healthy 6 year old of normal weight, to a lifetime of obesity. Psychological damage is just as bad or worse than the junk food eaten in moderation.

MinMin97

From this question, I surmise that you do not have children, right?

EXACTLY!