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Lying to child about food to keep child from getting fat?
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Anonymous
| One of the little boys in playgroup has had food allergies as long as we've known him. He's allergic to chocolate, nuts, eggs, and milk. Recently he got a hold of another child's cereal that had nuts in it and we all panicked, but the Mother was calm. She then told us that the boy doesn't have a "true" allergy to nuts but that she prefers to let him think he does so he won't eat certain fatty foods because she's concerened with him being over weigh (at 4). This does not sit well with me and I can't help but to think this woman is nuts herself. I am having a hard time with this new information and wanted to get feedback. Is this an acceptable way to control what your child eats? I am so upset by this I really don't want to continue playgroup with this woman. |
Anonymous
| I had a friend who was concerned that her 15 month old was too fat and was eating too much - she would limit the number of cheerios he could have - he was not fat - just had a little potbelly and chubby cheeks. |
Anonymous
I think that's a bit excessive. As a parent, you control what your child eats anyway, just tell him he's not allowed to have it, he'll be fine with it. My parent's were pretty strict about what snacks/candy I could have and I turned out ok (or so I like to think) 
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Anonymous
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You're not nuts. That's weird, IMO.
Also, it does a disservice to folks with true food allergies, who sometimes have a hard enough time being taken seriously. |
Anonymous
It sounds like a bizarre way to do things, but it's her way for her child. I don't know what "acceptable" means because I'm not sure who has to "accept" it other than her and her partner. If it offends you so deeply that you can't be around her, that's your decision-- but if your child really likes her child, you might want to deal with the woman even if she's a bit off. It takes all kinds-- by the time your child goes to college, this instance of whacky behavior will seem like a drop in the bucket!! 
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Anonymous
| I think the mom has issues. I personally wouldn't want my child spending any time alone at their house in case some of the insanity rubbed off. I actually have a very close g-friend who recently had a baby and when I noticed her baby (who she had told me had been really grouchy) was draining her bottles mentioned she might want to up the amount of formula by an ounce or two. She said she didn't want to encourage overeating and start "food issues" at such a young age. That was the last time I visited and her daughter is still underweight and grouchy. |
zumbamama
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| that is strange. If you're not allergic, nuts are a great snack. Yes they have fat in them, but they still have nutritional value....better than potato chips! I tell my DCs which foods are fattening and which ones are not...and that moderation, not deprivation will keep them at a good weight. Plus I would prefer to reason with facts instead of trying to trick them! |
Anonymous
| She sounds insane. IMHO, of course. Is the child truly allergic to milk, eggs, and chocolate, or is that a lie also? |
Anonymous
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That does sound insane. I echo zumbamama too. Kind of a bass ackwards way of thinking as well as raising a child. Poor kid.
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Anonymous
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That's an interesting parenting strategy. Fast-forward ten years and see how well it works:
"Sorry, honey. You are extremely allergic to girls with tattoos." "I'd love to give you that sports car, junior, but it will make you break out in hives." "Going to the movies with your friends on Father's Day will stunt your growth." "Missing your SAT prep course is bad for your digestive system." "I'd love to buy you a Wii, but the flashing lights will give you seizures." Apparently, this kid is also allergic to the word "no." He's in for a rude awakening when someone says no to him without putting a fake excuse behind it, poor kid. |
Anonymous
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PP HAHA. Love it.
OP, I think that mom is F'd up to the highest degree and would stop hanging with her. A healthy diet and being a healthy role model at home is all you need. |
Anonymous
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That woman has serious issues. Food allergies are not something to take lightly (as you all didn't when her kid ate someone else's food). She is going to scar that kid for life and I wouldn't want my child to be anywhere near her. I'd drop the playgroup. Or, ask the other moms what they think and maybe drop her!
As for the "too fat" at 4-- Yes, some kids are overweight by then, but as long as the overall diet is healthy almost any food can be fine in moderation. Especially for a active 4 year old! |
Anonymous
| That strategy is likely to backfire once the child is old enough to realize he's been lied to. He'll never listen to her advice again, at least on anything related to health or nutrition! |
zumbamama
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| Plus, almonds can help lower your cholesterol, which would actually help weight control. |
Anonymous
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Not only strange, but doesn't help the kid to learn to eat healthy on his own. I don't believe in lieing about food or even sneaking in veggies (I'm sure I would change my mind on this if my son didn't ever eat veggies). I just think it hurts more in the long run, you need the kids to understand healthy eating. Not to mention, you hurt the poor kids who DO have allergies, as people will tend to not believe them if there are a bunch of fakers out there.
But I definetly plan on lieing about my allergies. Yep, mommy is allergic to snakes, lizards and spiders. Sorry son, we can't have any in the house. |