Image via treatsastastytaters.blogspot.com
A horrible situation arose at W’s nursery the other week, for which I was utterly unprepared. When dropping him off as normal I was suddenly, unexpectedly cornered approached by one of the nursery assistants and asked…
NA: So, how do you feel about his puddings?
Me: Um, sorry, whose what?
It was a fair question. He has been having his meals there once a week for a little while now but the subject just hadn’t come up before. To be honest it hadn’t really occurred to me because it is only recently that I have stopped sending home-made meals in for him to eat.
NA: W’s pudding. Do you want him to have any?
Now there is clearly a right answer to this question but for the life of me I don’t know what it is. I can feel the stares from all of the other assistants as it is taking me so long to answer. Do I have time to whip out my phone, Ask Jeeves maybe? Nope.
Me: Mmmmmmm *thoughtful look* *shuffles uncomfortably*
Oh Christ I’m burning up now. They are ALL waiting. Even the other kids are looking up at me expectantly. I think I have actually broken a sweat. After what feels like FOREVER another, kinder, nursery assistant jumps in.
Kind NA: How about fruit?
Thank God! Yes I know this one.
Me: Yes! Yes! He can definitely have fruit. He eats a lot of fruit. Yumbles.
Holy crap I just said ‘Yumbles’. Out loud. To an adult.
Mean NA: What about cake?
Oh darn. What is the answer? CAN he have cake? I have never given him any but possibly because I diet all the time and, as such, there is rarely any nearby. Would it do him any harm, make him horribly hyperactive? Jeepers, he is pretty pumped most of the time already. I have never given him pudding. Only Petits Filous. He eats boatloads of that and has been fine. But that is yoghurt so maybe not REALLY pudding. Just say no. Yep, that’s the answer. But then they might all think I’m really MEAN. I don’t want to be known as the MEAN Mum. Oh grow up.
Me: No
Mean NA: Ok so just fruit.
Me: Yep. Fruit is great.
DO NOT say Yumbles.
Mean NA: But if he sees the others having pudding and looks like he wants some?
Oh Christ.
Me: Well if he looks like he WANTS SOME then yes thats fine.
This was a few weeks ago. As I left I was absolutely none the wiser as to what the final outcome of this little parlay was, and remained so until today. Just as I was bundling him into his still-too-big coat, ready to leave, another NA whispered conspiratorially to me.
NA: Blimey, he really LOVES his custard doesn’t he.
I am guessing he loves his cake just as much.
Fab post. I’m picturing you saying yumbles to a patient accidentally now. I tried to steer clear of cakes and stuff in the beginning not because there’s anything wrong with them but it’s just that as soon as they realise there is nicer stuff to eat than rice cakes then there’s no going back (and I don’t like sharing). That’s only ever going to last so long though once they start nursery. I just try not to think too much about all the stuff E gets at nursery. They gave them jam sandwiches for tea not long ago! Just never get the apple fruit shoots. They are evil. x
Jam sandwiches?! Ouch. How did you survive? Or is it all just a myth? Apart from Apple Fruit Shoots obviously 😉
That is brilliant! Very funny! Sometimes we worry about what we think we should be doing rather than just being honest! I give my children biscuits and cakes and yoghurts, not all the time but they eat well, do lots of exercise and some if the “healthy alternatives” have more sugar.
That’s a really good point. It is amazing when you look at the labels sometimes isn’t it. Well I reckon he has been having secret puds for a few weeks now and I honestly haven’t noticed a problem so I guess my own answer would have to be…yep, let them eat cake!
Haha, this made me laugh! I give Iyla cake occasionally, I think it is good for them to get used to have sugary foods so they don’t turn into secret sweet munchers when they get older! The only problem is that cake and yoghurt are the only things that she really likes eating! Can’t say I blame her though! X
Nope, cake and yoghurt sounds good to me! Damn this diet 🙁
Let them eat whatever – they do anyway, whatever you say. Am amazed they even bothered to ask you. Yumbles? have I missed a post explaining Yumbles??
Nope. sadly there is NO explanation for Yumbles 🙁
Very funny post. Though I can’t believe there’s no explanation for ‘yumbles’! I’m gutted 😉
I believe in a balanced diet so pudding is fine with me. I personally believe it should be a mandatory part of mealtimes…. especially when custard is involved. Yum!!
Very true. Gotta love custard. I think I may have to come up with some form of rationale for ‘yumbles’. Could be another post there 😉
The post was funny anyway but adding the word ‘yumbles’ has taken it to an epic level!
Cake rocks my world so I can say nothing against it in case it takes offence and starts to hide from me *zips it*
Oh it’s hard being a parent, doing what’s right and what’s seen to be right. When I doing my healthy eating talks at work I always mention that it is fine to have treats just not all the time.
I love making cakes and the kids like to help me make them too but generally this so that they can taste it once made. Oh and you can beat bananas and custard for a pudding, surely that is a healthy pudding 🙂
Yep absolutely! I reckon the fruit counteracts the custard….and dairy is always GOOD for you right?
What a great story, so much fun to read! It reminds of of discussions I had at my nursery. My son refused his cake for pudding. But there was a little boy with a number of allergies that always got fruit. And my son stole it….
They approached me, carefully… Would it, maybe, be ok if they gave them fruit as well?
I was speechless, for a bit. But not because I did not know the answer to that one!
That’s hilarious! How did you keep a straight face?