Bad Habits

Are her parents aware of what she eats when she’s with you? I think most would be horrified by that list. You don’t want her to get diabetes or bad teeth do you?

If your GD shamed you by her sensible eating, what makes you think she'll want to eat the 'goodies' you've bought?

The point is they are my bad habits not hers! She takes the healthy option and I’m proud of her but I grew up in a family that gave sugar sandwiches as treats and used food and sweets as treats. I did the same as a mum. It’s knee-jerk, not thought out and I think it’s why we have an unhealthy population - food was a comfort, a treat, a way to celebrate for many of us and we’re reaping the consequences.

Have never understood why GP’s feel obliged to ‘spoil’ their GC with sweet treats.

My son’s children said that at their maternal GP’s home, a tin of Quality Street/Roses/ Celebrations was always on offer, any time of year, not just Christmas.

No such luck at our house! Have never had sweets around, a home made pudding or cake is served when they come to a meal, but sweets, biscuits, ice creams just not available.

They don’t expect it, and have never felt deprived (I think)!

So why did you buy all that unhealthy stuff for her if she takes the healthy option and you and your husband know you’re not far from diabetes? At this time of year there’s a lot of lovely fruit to eat and a treat can be a day out somewhere or maybe something to wear. A 12 year old is probably conscious of her weight too.

We have 2 signs in our house which say 'Ma and Pa's house, Ma and Pa's rules'. And we gave a chocolate tin called Ma's treat tin.

We unashamedly 'spoil' our grandchildren - within reason - with their parent's full knowledge. It ensures our grandchildren associate visits here with happy times.

By the way - Pa is a retired dentist.

I have some sweet treats for visiting grandchildren but they're quite strictly limited. Usually they are given the choice of choosing just one item from the tin just as they're leaving with their parents. The cost of chocolate and sweets now is prohibitive, let alone spoiling them too much!

I’m not sure what to say.

We see GD twice a year and yes she gets spoilt - food treats along with lots of healthy food (I’m not totally stupid!) and trips out. The point is it is my bad habit, learned from my own childhood and difficult to discard. I know I’m not alone here in equating love and affection with lots of lovely things to eat. Of course I know it’s totally wrong but between visits I’m boringly sensible and we don’t buy those things. Luckily, GD is tall and slim and won’t be forced into eating what she doesn’t like. I’m proud of her.

You sound like a lovely grandma Sidelined and I'm sure your granddaughter loves coming to stay with you.

We don’t have sweets in the house, a few digestives and plain ice cream, neither of us have a particularly sweet tooth, we don’t stock up for the grandchildren visiting or staying
I’d suggest you follow your granddaughter’s example OP!

I think those kind of treats you mention are rather unkind and I'm so glad your GC is sensible/strong enough not to indulge. I seem to remember my lovely Mum calling that cupboard love. Not sure.

but we're forever being told that sugar is really bad for our health, why would you continue to buy these things?

If she is showing signs of choosing healthy options, why make her eat all that stuff just because she wants to be polite and not upset you by refusing?

For goodness sake - where is the enjoyment!!

Come on! I don’t force her, I wouldn’t and I’ve never suggested I did! My point is (again) this was an example of bad habits being tough to overcome.

kittylester 👏🏻👏🏻😁

I think your DGD will appreciate a few treats OP, what is this life if we can’t have a Snickers now and again😁
I wouldn’t have thought much of my Nan only offering me a digestive biccy or stick of celery.

You know you have bad habits - why continue them into another generation? A little treat is fine but you’ve loaded your trolley up with a huge amount of unhealthy stuff for a one week stay. If you know you have a bad habit and the potential consequences of it, don’t inflict it on your grandchild.

I dont get why it is enjoyable to eat a load of sugary rubbish. I cant see the harm in a bit of chocolate or cake every now and again but I don't understand why unhealthy foods are considered as 'spoiling' i.e. indulging your grandchildren. Spoiling their health maybe. I don't understand why such 'treats' are called goodies either.

When GC come over they head straight for my goodies basket 😘

Bet you wish you never said anything Sidelined! Take it all with a very unhealthy pinch of salt!

Nope, the trolley wasn’t piled high with a huge amount of unhealthy stuff. A few items and small sizes, not family packs, in case she asks. As you say, a little treat is fine and that’s exactly what’s on offer if she wants.

IClaudius - 😱😩 🤣🤣