mealtimes

Never battle with children over food, as it's a battle you will never win. Just give him something he will eat. He'll get over it!

Lots of good advice here from everyone, and it does reinforce my feeling that making a fuss over children's weird eating habits is just not worth it! My eldest DGD is a bit picky with her food, but if we make a tent and have an 'inside picnic' she'll eat anything. OK so it's sarnies, fruit and yogurt mostly - but she won't die of malnutrition. Her mummy, my DDIL is quite happy about this, so no more battles over what gets eaten and what gets refused.

Until he was about 10 years old my son would eat only crisps and tomato for breakfast. Hates tomatoes now, but the crisps remain a favourite.

Elder DGS likes ham and little else. He is getting a little better as he gets older but he's still having ham for Christmas dinner .

MeggyMay I am so sorry you are having to cope with two crises at once. You do naturally want your freedom back but also you now have an opportunity to take part in the upbringing of your grandchildren for a short while.

Start a new thread and then we can chat with you.

As a first step, I suggest you get your daughter to the housing department of the council and find out which organizations have lists for housing for single mum's.

Secondly you must establish 'house rules' Its your house and you are not your daughter's house keeper. You may also wish to charge rent to the level of the bedroom tax limit (see .gov.uk) Good luck.

Thirdly you need time to grieve for the loss of your husband and to sort out your financial affairs.

All the very best to you and your daughter and grandchildren. Hopefully you will enjoy Christmas and look forward to the New Year.

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and all the very best for the New Year and to say I've found the advice given very practical and helpful and if I've not managed to implement it all this weekend, I shall certainly bear it in mind for the next time we look after them. Saturday tea went best of all with ham sandwiches and bits on plates to pick at, and if he's said he's not hungry or left a meal, I've gone along with it and tried not to worry.
The house is far too quiet this morning!
Many thanks again.

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and all the very best for the New Year and to say I've found the advice given very practical and helpful and if I've not managed to implement it all this weekend, I shall certainly bear it in mind for the next time we look after them. Saturday tea went best of all with ham sandwiches and bits on plates to pick at, and if he's said he's not hungry or left a meal, I've gone along with it and tried not to worry.
The house is far too quiet this morning!
Many thanks again.

Good bread, ham and cheese never hurt anyone for a couple of days, why have a battle. Enjoy.

Agree with Luckylegs9. I just feed them what they want to eat (within reason!) and leave the nourishing well-balanced diet to their mum.

What's the definition of 'good bread'? Serious question.

What if the little darlings will only eat supermarket white?

I did wonder but refrained from saying as I can't eat brown and everyone else in the family dislikes it anyway!

Anything to fill them up if it's just for a weekend (but not the cheapest bread).