I can't get over what people will feed their kids!

[Stephanie0523]

I totally don't take the second half of Catherine's sig line as an insult. We all need to remind ourselves of that from time to time.

 

[singinggoddess]

What has happened to this place? Let's get along please. This used to be a place where I would come for motivation and fun, but now it has become a hostile environment full of negativity. I am stunned lately at all of the lashing out. We all have opinions and that is okay.

Susan

 

[workoutaholic]

Not sure if this will work or you may have already tried this, but what I would do is start eating whatever food I wanted him to try and then of course he would want it and at least he would always try it.

I wish that worked with that little rascal...when I do that he decides oh it's time to feed mom and then all he's interested in doing is trying to get me to eat it (thinks it's funny). LOL

Tonight I gave him a bite of sauteed spinach...he spit it out so fast I don't even think he could have possibly tasted it.

 

[Worknprogress]

Catherine - I TOTALLY get your signature line. It kind of goes along with the book that came out years ago, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" and the point being with that book, because most of what we fret about is small stuff.

I see kids all around me eating different things, but the bottom line here is, they are not my kids. I am comfortable with my children's eating habits, even my picky eater. If my toddlers big "treat" for the week is a Trix yogurt, I don't think I am doing too badly in feedly my children.

Again, I can only concern myself with my own children. Gosh, if I were to worry about what every other child other than my own ate, I wouldn't have time for any thing else!!

I guess I just don't understand why everybody worries so much about what others do. It's their life, their kids, their challenges.

 

[SirenSongWoman]

My husband was denied sugary cereal as a kid, and when he went to college, he ate Lucky Charms and Trix three meals a day.

Man, when I was a kid my mom refused to by sugary cereals because of the cost. It was oatmeal, cream of wheat, corn flakes and shredded wheat. That was IT.

So it was Happy-Joy Time when I hit my teens and began spending the night a lot at my best friend's house. 8 kids and every conceivable sugary cereal ever invented. Ummm. I went nuts every morning. I was finally able to get what had been denied me. That's how my Sugar Pops (now CORN Pops!) addiction started. And it was harder to kick than heroin.

I agree somewhat with everyone here. And I'm glad I don't have kids. It's hard enough trying to clean up my own diet, after the fact. I can't imagine what a nightmare it would be to make sure my kids aren't eating garbage. I really don't think I could get it right and I'm glad I don't have to try.

 

[fit_fairy]

Catherine - I TOTALLY get your signature line. It kind of goes along with the book that came out years ago, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" and the point being with that book, because most of what we fret about is small stuff.

Yep, that's it. I wasn't trying to be hurtful. It is true that we all need to rethink how we think sometimes. I need to be reminded of that A LOT!!! That's why my siggi line says what it does. I am much happier when I don't take things so seriously- esp myself!!!

 

[kgalas]

Wow, I wasn't around yesterday and when I come back, there's 85 posts to my thread! I didn't mean to start such controversy, truly. I'm sorry I said anything.

 

[LaughingWater]

Oh hell...I'll weigh in.

I don't allow soda, but Trix Yogurt is a favorite in our house.

We have one cheat day a week where the kids can eat anything they like. The rest of the week, they try what I make for dinner or pick a reasonable substitute. I'm flexible. Over the years, both kids have gone from being extremely picky to adventurous eaters. (Both still avoid fruit like the plague though. *shrug* I can put it in smoothies, but that's it.)

We love pizza. Period. We do not, however, visit McDonalds or any other fast food joint too often...once every 6 months or so. (Oh, and the kids got a shake every time they lost a tooth. That was fun, especially during March when the Shamrock shake is available. I don't know what's in that crap, and I don't care. )

I bake cookies, sweet breads, and sometimes ~ when I'm feelin' particularly devilish ~ a cake. The 4 of us sit down with our glasses of milk and enjoy. I even have a special Cake-Eating sweater (because I get cold drinking all that milk).

We exercise. We don't smoke or drink. We value sleep. We're happy.

Essentially, it's all about balance.

 

[kathryn]

i thought i hated vegetables. turns out my mom was a reallllly bad cook. shed boil veggies in water. yuck! no wonder we didnt like them!

Same with my stepmother.
She could take fresh-from-the-garden veggies, boil them to death until they were limp and yellow and tasteless. I HATED spinach when I was a kid, and I totally understand why! She could even make fresh garden peas taste worse than canned ones!

 

[kathryn]

I've spent a lifetime trying to figure what is healthy and what is not. We have a close friend who is a vascular surgeon and he feeds his kids this stuff! OMG, if he's clueless, what does this say about the average person?!

I'm still confused about a lot. The other day I had to look up the difference between fructose and high fructose corn syrup.
The latest food confusion for me was partially hydrogenated oils. I learned they were a trans fat. So how is it that a product can contain these trans fats and the nutrition label state is is zero trans fat? I had to google the answer.

The food industries spend millions (if not billions?) trying to figure out ways to sell their products, including ways to mislead the consumer into thinking that their products are healthier than they are. It's no wonder the average consumer is confused.

 

[kathryn]

That being said, the food 30 or 40 years ago was not as bad as the food kids get these days. There was not that much childhood obesity, diabetes, ADD, allergies, ADHD, depression, or you name it as there is these days.

And 30-40 years ago, kids had candy and other junk as treats, not even necessarily on a daily basis. Nowdays, many kids eat it for a meal, and/or several times a day.

 

[kathryn]

Apparently I AM Mommy Dearest and not only expose my kids but make them eat. Man, hide the wire hangers, I am Joan Crawford

No--whack--wire---whack--hangars---whack!

 

[LaughingWater]

Do I think it is their kids and no one should worry about it? No.

See, this is a fine line for me.

Unless it involves something immediately and unbelievably dangerous ~ like a small child teetering near the edge of a very big drop ~ it's none of my business.

Not saying anyone here would do this, but...I would resent it if anyone, regardless of their good intent, felt it was appropriate to stop me and comment on what I am feeding my child. Or how I dress my child. Or how I do anything with my child. I would let them know too. Politely, of course, but most likely through gritted teeth.

** It's funny. I'm usually extremely patient and amiable. Until my kids are involved...then I turn into a bear. **

Now, a casual conversation (like this one) about it is fine and very often helpful. But anything beyond that is perceived by me as meddlesome, bossy, and crossing the line.

Soooo, with that kind of attitude, I hardly notice what other parents are feeding their kids. I don't worry too much about it and keep to my own business. Honestly, I'm just thrilled if the kids are polite, kind, and respectful. If they eat their vegetables too, well...that's just a bonus.

 

[janie1234]

See, this is a fine line for me.

Unless it involves something immediately and unbelievably dangerous ~ like a small child teetering near the edge of a very big drop ~ it's none of my business.

Not saying anyone here would do this, but...I would resent it if anyone, regardless of their good intent, felt it was appropriate to stop me and comment on what I am feeding my child. Or how I dress my child. Or how I do anything with my child. I would let them know too. Politely, of course, but most likely through gritted teeth.

** It's funny. I'm usually extremely patient and amiable. Until my kids are involved...then I turn into a bear. **

Now, a casual conversation (like this one) about it is fine and very often helpful. But anything beyond that is perceived by me as meddlesome, bossy, and crossing the line.

Soooo, with that kind of attitude, I hardly notice what other parents are feeding their kids. I don't worry too much about it and keep to my own business. Honestly, I'm just thrilled if the kids are polite, kind, and respectful. If they eat their vegetables too, well...that's just a bonus.

Lori this is so well said and written. You need to start your own article in a magazine. I completely and utterly agree. I always feel left out and hurt when all the other mom's joke with me about how I live my healthy lifestyle and how I feed my kids. They think that my kids are sooo deprived from what they consider the REAL things in life. I say hey whatever. To each his own.

 

[Kirspy]

That being said, the food 30 or 40 years ago was not as bad as the food kids get these days. There was not that much childhood obesity, diabetes, ADD, allergies, ADHD, depression, or you name it as there is these days.

But the kids who ate the food 30 or 40 years ago are now the parents who are feeding their children these questionable foods, which tells me that people will eat whatever they want once they are out from under their parents' control.

 

[autumn]

Quote:
Originally Posted by autumn
Do I think it is their kids and no one should worry about it? No.

See, this is a fine line for me.

Unless it involves something immediately and unbelievably dangerous ~ like a small child teetering near the edge of a very big drop ~ it's none of my business.

Not saying anyone here would do this, but...I would resent it if anyone, regardless of their good intent, felt it was appropriate to stop me and comment on what I am feeding my child. Or how I dress my child. Or how I do anything with my child. I would let them know too. Politely, of course, but most likely through gritted teeth.

** It's funny. I'm usually extremely patient and amiable. Until my kids are involved...then I turn into a bear. **

Now, a casual conversation (like this one) about it is fine and very often helpful. But anything beyond that is perceived by me as meddlesome, bossy, and crossing the line.

Soooo, with that kind of attitude, I hardly notice what other parents are feeding their kids. I don't worry too much about it and keep to my own business. Honestly, I'm just thrilled if the kids are polite, kind, and respectful. If they eat their vegetables too, well...that's just a bonus.

I deleted my post. I was sorry I posted after I did it.

Klaudia, don't be sorry you started this thread - it is definitely an eye opener though disappointing. And don't stop caring about others - we could use a little more of that in this world.

 

[LaughingWater]

Did I just see an avatar of Flapjack?!

Autumn, I wish you hadn't deleted your post. I was only writing about that fine line I mentioned earlier. I quoted you because your comment led my thoughts, but I'm not judging you personally in any way.

Heh, I just noticed your signature: "It is none of my business what other people think of me." That ties in with this thread a bit.

Janie, I'm a big fan of "To each his own." I also think it's great that you and your family have found what works for you.

Regarding the other moms you've encountered, sometimes I think other people make their little jokes or pass judgments as a way of compensating for their own self doubt. I have a family member like that. It's pretty annoying. I just want to tell him, "Dude, I pay absolutely NO attention to what you're doing, how much you're making, what you're driving, where you're traveling, how well your kids are doing in school. I swear, I'm not keeping score. Relax."

 

[autumn]

Autumn, I wish you hadn't deleted your post. I was only writing about that fine line I mentioned earlier. I quoted you because your comment led my thoughts, but I'm not judging you personally in any way.

LaughingWater ~ I just had time to reflect and decided it was best to delete. It seems there are some hurt feelings, for lack of better words, on this thread. I don't want anyone to misunderstand me, and I don't want anyone to feel judged. Maybe I will share my ramblings another time - but my perspective is very different b/c of my public health experience which meant many private things were not just his or her business and now is just not the time. I do thank you for your post though - you are an awesome, thoughtful lady.

Oh, and I didn't feel judged. Besides, I've gotten tougher thanks to my participation in online forums. Sometimes it hurts though - like the time some other parents and I were accused on another forum of child abuse and mutilation b/c we circ'd our sons. Ouch!

Heh, I just noticed your signature: "It is none of my business what other people think of me." That ties in with this thread a bit.

Now if only it were as easy to live it as it is to say or type it. Why do any of us worry about what other people think of us?

 

[kryptychyck]

I don't have any kids but...

I think everyone here does a great job with their children and their health. It is a shame that more people don't make that effort. Good for you all for sticking to your guns. Your children will thank you later for it.

I recently broke up with my bf of 2.5 years, but I was shocked to see what his children ate too. He is divorced so I am sure there things going on that factor in as well (guilt etc). Although his family is very nice and well meaning, I watched his mother stuff his children and his 2 nieces to the gills with junkfood. Food is a sign of love for them. Although his children are not fat at all (due to genetics), his nieces are very obese. It is a shame too. The four of them are between the ages of 10 and 13. He (with my subtle encouragement) reduced the amount of junk in his house, but there was plenty of it at their mothers. I kept my distance about it though. I did not feel as though it was my place to say anything. At one point, his daught ate an entire box of Tastycake Candy Cakes in one sitting!!! Yikes!!! She eats nothing but junk. His son ever eats anything but toast and sunflower seeds.

It was unbearable for me to watch - hence one of the many reasons why I broke up with him. In any case, I just wanted to congratulate all the dedicate parents here who try to encourage healthy choices for their children. I have to agree with one of the other comments I read as well. There were never any choices at my house growing up either. We had our meals and that was it. You either ate them or got nothing so we ate them. There was always a protein, vegetable, and a potato or rice. What happened to that? I think it took my mom all of 30 minutes to make it.

I don't think sports has anything to do with it. My sister and I were very heavily involved with academics and sports and afterschool activities and volunteering too. I played softball, ran track, cheerleading, gymnastics, took clarinet lessons, was in school plays, got As and Bs on my report card. I played soccer too. I was involved in clubs, went to dances, mall, movies, shopping, hung out with friends. We still ate healthy meals. You can multiply all that by two because I had a younger sister too and she had her activities. We rarely went to the drive thru. That was like a super huge deal. We would be going bonkers for our occasional happy meal - with SMALL FRIES and SMALL COKE. SMALL is the operative word there. I think small was 8 oz back then too - not the 20 oz of today (I am guessing there). I remember our annual trip (yes, once per year!) to Pizza Hut was on the last day of school. My mom would take me, my sister and a friend each to Pizza Hut. It was a treat. My mom used to make renditions of what these fast food places sold - but healthier. She used to make me her version of Egg McMuffins. She used a round cookie cutter to get the egg to be a circle and fit on the English muffin. Now why can she do it with less fat and calories and they can't? Plus hers were WAY tastier!

Ok, that was my 2 cents. Good for you, parents. I hope one day when I have kids I will be just as good at as you!

 

[LaughingWater]

Besides, I've gotten tougher thanks to my participation in online forums. Sometimes it hurts though - like the time some other parents and I were accused on another forum of child abuse and mutilation b/c we circ'd our sons. Ouch!

*nods* I hear ya. I spent some time on a political forum and a pro-choice forum, and boy...I learned some new words!

I imagine being in public health you have a very unique perspective. Mine is limited to being a parent only. As I was writing my post, I wasn't thinking at all about anyone here but instead about a handful of individuals who were more than happy to provide unsolicited instruction back when my girls were small. Man, that drove me nuts.

Kryptychyck, you bring up a great point: Portion control. I think it's safe to say that many in this country are a little confused as to what a normal portion should be. I know I had to re-learn exactly how much constitutes one serving, and that was quite an adjustment in the beginning.