They're at it again on the radio. Should we allow manufacturers to promote foods by putting cartoon characters on the packets? It makes supermarket trips hard work. After all it is not fair on parents that they have to say 'No' to their kids.
What? NOT FAIR? What's
fair got to do with it? Its our b****y JOB!!!!!
No, you can't touch the hot plate. No, you can't get in the deep end without an adult. No you can't go to bed without brushing your teeth. No you can't hit the little boy who has your toy. No, you can't stay out til midnight when you have school tomorrow. No you can't date the a**hole with the tattoos. (OK sorry, got carried away with the last one)
Too many parents are frightened of
a) their children not loving them
b) other parents judging them as they deal with a tantrum.
Just quietly, the second is more likely to occur than the first and those 'judgers' are usually either people who've never had children or .........no, that's it. How many times have I smiled empathetically at other parents in the supermarket queue as they restrained their squirming, squealing toddler/child/teenager. Well, ok not many on the last count! Real parents know and understand. We have all been there.
People who 'tut' in supermarkets and mutter things about 'discipline' under their breath, have got the wrong end of the stick. What do they think the tactical ignoring and removal of a child from a situation is? That
is discipline!! Unfortunately for them, since the removal of thumbscrews, the rack and the wooden spoon, discipline occurs in public. Not giving in, saying what you mean and maintaining boundaries by delivering consequences are the strongest forms of discipline necessary for most children. They are however, at times, the most difficult to implement.
The whole cartoon characters debate is a flawed one. Children have always nagged parents for the 'sweet' option. Some of the better quality yoghurts and cheeses here have 'names' selling them: The Wiggles, Thomas the Tank Engine, Teletubbies. The issue is not what is on the packet but whether parents are consistently discerning purchasers. If you cannot bear the fight, buy the good food and top up the 'guilt' factor at the counter with a comic or Shrek colouring book. At least they will be reading or being creative and their teeth and fitness will thank you.
Better still, don't give in to guilt at all. What have you got to be guilty about? Your child is loved, fed, clothed, housed, educated and kept healthy. If you still feel bad, there is an underlying issue which needs resolving and best you do that rather than buy them a 'Pot O' Chocolate'!!
Looking for 'food' photos was harder than I thought but when I saw this one I knew I had to share it. I'll have to admit I wasn't the photographer. This one was taken by my dad in 2005. That's my niece, Ginger and the Baby Angel when she really was a baby....9. Don't ask me why Ginger is wearing that hat.........!
He seems to be getting over his visceral fear of my very visage but his real crush is the Baby Angel. He was all over her! Laughing, squealing, chasing her and running away. 
They got settled under the stairs playing with this toy and I'm not sure the BA realised what a picture she presented to those of us walking upstairs! I took this shot from between the open steps. 
That's a superb mixed berry cobbler from the good Dr (O'C), a sensational apple pie US style (although I argue it can't be a pie by definition if it doesn't have pastry cover...so then what is it?) and down the very end there...a home made pavlova by moi: banana, passionfruit and grated chocolate atop cream and a baked meringue. I would have added strawberries too but it was kind of a last minute decision to make it (cheesecake was going to take too long to set) and I didn't have any.
