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May 2011 Moms
Athena0809
member
When people try to feed your LO
Athena0809
member
There was a post today on a blog I follow about being polite or sticking to your food rules and it got me wondering. This could apply for anything, this post was about my personal food preferences (no processed foods, whole organic foods) but I figured this applies to anything a parent feels strongly about, be it food or parenting styles. How do you deal when someone else offers your kids something you don't allow them to have or maybe you are a no-tv home and you go somewhere where watching tv is the main activity for kids?
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Re: When people try to feed your LO
Are you referring to 100 Days of Real Food? I love Lisa's blog.
DD eats almost entirely organic and unprocessed at home, but we do make exceptions. We've been sending lunches for daycare since she started eating solids, but I think we're switching to a daycare with healthier lunch options so we don't have to pack them. The foods aren't organic, but they're a huge step up from fishsticks and corn dogs.
The only time I've ever had to put my foot down was when my mom tried to give DD a sip of Diet Dr. Pepper. I have no idea what was going on in her head, but I went off about harmful ingredients and DD only drinking milk and water and she didn't push it. The ILs are really the only people to cook foods for her outside of our home, and they feed her lots of foods from their garden, eggs from their chickens, and organic meats.
BFP #1 9/7/10, EDD 5/14/11, Violet born 5/27/11.
BFP #2 4/9/12, EDD 12/16/12, M/C Rory 4/24/12.
BFP #3 10/6/12, EDD 6/16/12., Matilda born 6/17/13.
My inlaws do it all the time! Sometimes I just let it go, if it's not too bad. My BIL tried to give my baby a piece of sandwich the other day. His wife interrupted him and told him to ask me first. He said he didn't think of it since we give her so many "weird foods." They make fun of me all the time for sending things like fish and black beans and brussels sprouts to daycare. My MIL forgets all the time that baby has a dairy sensitivity. She tried to give her a taste of yogurt and we reminded her, so she said she'd just give her a piece of fruit from it instead. She got really offended one time when I said she couldn't have apple sauce she had bought specifically for the baby- but the second ingredient was HFCS. Going out to eat with them is tough because I think children's menus are ridiculous- they think I'm mean for not letting her have fries and chicken nuggets. I just smile and laugh at the jokes they make about me.
The tv thing isn't a big deal for us. Baby could care less about it, she doesn't even seem to notice when it's on. I ignore other comments about my parenting- but the ones about me breastfeeding for so long are getting annoying.
Yes, me too!
You are lucky your ILs have whole foods around!
My Blog: Naturally Mindful
I hear ya. My SIL is getting married in Sept. and she called to let us know she'll have a kids buffet table, hot dogs, pizza and chicken nuggets. DH asked what are the adults getting and she said salmon, DH said "well then that's what B will eat" I was so proud of him!
I get comments all the time from people in my family which i just deal with. I'm trying to teach my mom how to read labels but it's been a struggle. But when we are with friends or at play dates I find it tricky to refuse some foods, and I do get why people get offended or defensive so I try not to list our reasons why we don't eat that and just say "no thanks" but I still get eyes rolled at me.
The tv thing was just an example too, doesn't apply to us. But I am getting some comments now from friends with babies about our BFing. the one I get all the time is "you know he doesn't need it any more/is not getting any nutritional value any more" Grrrr.
My Blog: Naturally Mindful
I also try not to say too much because I don't want to offend anyone. My SIL asked me the other day if I'm worried if baby will be fat, is that why I read labels and whatnot? I hadn't even thought about it, I just feel like it's my responsibility to make sure she gets the absolute best start she can. If it was a special occasion, I probably would give her juice or sweets or something- I guess everything in moderation. I get frustrated because her son has some severe skin issues and I just wish she would try to change his diet a little to see if it would help, but I keep my mouth shut!
The breastfeeding thing is funny because a few years ago I joined the family in expressing horror at a cousin still breastfeeding her 3 year old. It's funny how much you think you know about parenting until you are one!
Have any of you had a complete stranger offer your LOs food? This happened back at Christmas when my DD and I were flying solo. We had a layover in Houston and my LO was crawling around (7 months old at the time).. this complete stranger offered her a french fry from his batch of fries..
umm...
I have become pretty lax when it comes to things with family. We don't see them that often so it is like a treat for DD and since she doesn't have any allergies I try not to worry. Most of the time though my family knows the big things so they avoid those.
<a href="http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Parenting Advice"><img src="http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt1d4edf" alt=" BabyFruit Ticker" border="0" /></a>
We enjoy life too, a healthy life without junk, processed crap and playing outdoors and engaging in meaningful activities.
My Blog: Naturally Mindful
I think people who aren't around babies/children a lot have a hard time judging how old they are. DD had her hair trimmed by a sweet young girl at the salon, and she asked if she could give DD a sucker for doing so well. She was 11 months old. I just thanked her, but passed on the sucker.
BFP #1 9/7/10, EDD 5/14/11, Violet born 5/27/11.
BFP #2 4/9/12, EDD 12/16/12, M/C Rory 4/24/12.
BFP #3 10/6/12, EDD 6/16/12., Matilda born 6/17/13.
We don't have rules, but I do draw the line at my mom giving an 11 month old Diet Dr. Pepper. There's a difference between being strict with a child's lifestyle and not making allowances for special occasions, etc., and protecting your child's health.
BFP #1 9/7/10, EDD 5/14/11, Violet born 5/27/11.
BFP #2 4/9/12, EDD 12/16/12, M/C Rory 4/24/12.
BFP #3 10/6/12, EDD 6/16/12., Matilda born 6/17/13.
I usually give her healthy foods at home, but am pretty relaxed when family want to give her a taste of something a bit processed (within reason, of course).
This! We give DS mostly organic food at home...lots of fruits and vegetables, but we don't obsess about it, and we're all about moderation. DS really prefers healthy food in the vast majority of cases, so it usually isn't even an issue, as he will often just play with or throw cookies, etc if given to him. That being said, he does have "treats" on occasion (a sip of DH's milkshake because DS is obsessed with drinking out of straws or a nice chunk of cake on his birthday), and I don't worry about it one bit. If someone, like my mother or inlays were to intentionally go against our wishes because they disagree with us or something, that would be one thing, but otherwise, I wouldn't really mention it unless it became a very regular occurrence.
BFP1: DD1 born April 2011 at 34w1d via unplanned c/s due to HELLP, DVT 1 week PP
BFP3: DD2 born Feb 2013 at 38w4d via unplanned RCS due to uterine dehiscence
My MIL keeps my son while I work. I've been trying to educate her (and myself) about good options for J. She admits that she did a terrible job with her own kids' nutrition. She just doesn't read labels. So, I say, "I was so surprised when I read the label! I had no idea that item had so much salt!" or "I am giving J plain greek yogurt. I couldn't believe how much added sugar the other ones had!" to try to get her to look at labels. She is such a wonderful woman, I don't want to offend her. But, J does not need sugary smoothies, salty snacks etc.
For the most part, she does ok, but she eats horribly and gives J part of her food. She lives on coffee, dessert, and chips/crackers I swear.