Mommy Dearest:
My son and I were running late and rather than have him be tardy for preschool, I gave him an organic yogurt smoothie and children's breakfast bar to eat en route. As we walked to school, a fellow mom joined us for the last few blocks. When I told her we were having a crazy morning and had resorted to a quick meal, she scolded me saying that granola bars should be treated as snacks rather than meals and said they were the equivalent to candy bars. Dumbfounded by her mini-tirade, I shuttled my son to class without responding. Is it so bad to give a yogurt smoothie and granola bar for breakfast?
– Meal-on-the-Go Mom
To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.
Meal-on-the-Go Mom,
You had a harried morning and gave your son the quickest, healthy breakfast you had. Not every family has time to sit down for a full meal in the morning even if they plan on it. Most moms can relate to your situation— it's not as if you handed your lil guy a candy bar to nosh on, but even if you did, it's your business and that meddling mama should have just kept her opinion to herself. — Mommy Dearest
Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.
7 For All Mankind
Cath Kidston
Halston
I'd have responded with "Wow, you must buy some really sugary granola bars. I appreciate the input, but his granola bar is very well-balanced and a good start to the day. See you later!"
1I have no problem with your breakfast. It's tough to get it together in the morning and it is not the same as giving your kids a snickers bar or a pack of skittles. Check the ingredients on your granola bars and if YOU feel bad about them, switch to a different brand.
2sorry!
3I am going to sound like a b*tch her -- and I apologize for it-- but, I agree a granola bar is a snack and it should not be regarded as a substitute for breakfast. (I would also never stick my nose on somebody's bussiness...... ) a fruit such and apple or a banana are equally fastand 10 times healthier......
4I would have told her to suck it - honestly, its none of her business what you feed your child and even if you had to resort to a quick breakfast its not like you gave him a snickers bar and milkshake.
5fair enough..you were rushed and you did your best on that particular day....i would say perhaps if you always treated a granola bar as a breakfast food and served it 5 days a week to your wee one maybe you should rethink it...but seriously sugar cereal and french toast is also fattening and sugary so i am sure 90% of the kids in your son's class ate worse that day than your child did...don't worry about that biatch
6Tell her to MYOB.
7"I agree a granola bar is a snack and it should not be regarded as a substitute for breakfast."
Not necessarily. You. can easily get some that are healthier than most acceptable breakfasts, especially when paired with yogurt like the mom in question did.
8Also, you'll notice it's a children's cereal bar, not actually a granola bar. I have those that are a full serving of fruit plus whole grains, and again healthier than a lot of cereals or pancakes.
9Am I the only one who thinks a parent should never "scold" another parent?! If she wants to feed her kid Snickers every morning for breakfast, that's her right as a parent. Is it healthy? No. Is it a good idea? No. ... but I'm so tired of parenting as a competitive, holier-than-thou sport.
10I think she should get bent. I see nothing wrong with what you did. It was a quick breakfast and you gave plenty of it. I rarely ate breakfast as a child or now for that matter. I get hungry at 10 or 11.
11Just the other day I ordered my son Ramen (noodle soup) with no veggies. The cashier said you know he should eat his vegetables and you should tell him to eat them. Yes I know vegetables are good for you and he should eat them, Blah Blah Blah. He gets his veggies from other sources aside from ramen, so who the hell are you to tell me what I should feed my child. You only met me a minute ago. Do I have to hold the line up to explain my childs diet to you? I couldnt believe it. People need to use their common sense and pick their battles. If the food wasnt so good at this restaurant I would never go back. hehe:)
12Oh my gosh! I would have told that mother to "shove it where the Sun doesn't shine" and "shut up." But that's me. If you're a b*tch to me first, I will bite your head off.
What you gave your child was perfectly fine. It sounds like it was healthier than some of the stuff a lot of parents give their kids (sugary cereals), and if your kid ate it with no hesitation, then GREAT!
All those parents who are self-righteous and like to butt in where it's none of their business can just up. How you raise your kid is up to you. As long as the kid is healthy, happy and safe, that's all that matters.
13Well congrats on your restraint. And another congrats for reaching for something other running through for an egg mcmuffin and Dr. Pepper. Not that, even that would have harmed your child.
I'm appalled by this mother's behavior, and sorry that you were subjected to such ignorance.
14Seriously, my mom gave us cheez-its in the car for breakfast. But my sisters and I all loved vegetables.
15I think it depends on the granola bar you gave him. If It was covered in chocolate, she has a point. But, Quaker makes healthy ones with just fruit, nuts, and oats, which would be fine for breakfast.
16Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.