A stepmother has divided opinion after she revealed that her seven-year-old stepdaughter is driving her ‘crazy’ by eating too much fruit.
The unnamed woman took to the British parenting site Mumsnet only to reveal that her food budget had run out after her husband’s biological daughter moved in with them in January.
She explained that as a higher earner and breadwinner — who was also now on maternity leave — she was driving her crazy that the child was eating all their fruit and “leaving nothing for her husband and me.”
She added that their weekly shop of two bunches of bananas, berries, peaches, melon, grapes and tangerines was going nowhere fast as the girl ate it all in two days.
The woman’s post divided opinion, with some calling for her to invest in cheaper alternatives, while others thought the mother was justified in her actions.
A stepmom has divided opinion after she revealed that her seven-year-old stepdaughter is driving her ‘crazy’ by eating too much fruit (stock image)
Her annoyance was compounded by the mother’s refusal to contribute to her daughter’s expenses while she lived there.
And in turn, the mother-of-one who said the girl was “greedy” clashed with her husband who believed fruit was “good for a growing child.”
She wrote, “My seven-year-old stepdaughter moved in with us full-time in January. Our situation is that I am a higher earner and breadwinner on maternity leave with a five month old baby.”
“My husband does part-time work that doesn’t pay much (he drives our family car and contributes to household expenses, like grocery shopping, etc.),” she added.
“My stepdaughter’s mother will not contribute to her expenses as long as she lives here (indefinitely for now).”
“Right now we’re on a tight budget because of my maternity leave – and one thing that’s driving me crazy is my stepdaughter eating all our fruit.”
“We’re going to buy a weekly shop with two bunches of bananas, a few trays of berries, peaches, melon, grapes, tangerines, etc. and she’ll eat her way through the lot in two days.”
The woman went on to share what she believes were the reasons behind her stepdaughter’s fondness for fruit, and the impact it had on her health.
A child’s mother said the girl was “greedy” and in turn clashed with her husband who believed fruit was “good for a growing child”
She said, “She’s obviously reluctant to finish a good evening meal or try something she doesn’t like.”
“She’s also had a few mishaps with loose stools (I think it’s from eating fruit). She takes something out of the fridge without asking and leaves nothing for my husband and me)’
“I talked to my husband about it and he says she’s a growing child and at least fruit is good for her. Honestly, I partially buy fruits for her to eat, but the amount seems greedy to me and more than necessary for a healthy child.
“I think it’s reasonable to have a small bowl of berries and grapes, along with a tangerine and banana after school for a snack, then a slice for dessert.”
“I want her to learn that food costs money, that we don’t have a bottomless pit of it, and that you don’t just eat everything because you’re bored/tired/haven’t eaten.”
‘You ration portions in a family so that everyone gets a fair share, and sometimes eat less tasty things to keep eating healthy.’
“When she first came to us, she was snacking like that too — that was easier to nip in the bud because my husband can see how unhealthy it is.”
“I want to approach this in a compassionate way, would I be unreasonable to stop buying fruit until my husband agrees to a reasonable ration for my stepdaughter.”
In more than 300 comments to the post, some admonished the woman for her comments, while others were eager to know what caused the girl’s hunger.
Many other users were divided over the post, with some saying the way she talked about her stepdaughter was “obnoxious”
One person said, “Disgusting to call a seven-year-old who eats fruit ‘greedy.’ But it’s reasonable to expect her to eat her evening meal before eating her way through fruit.’
Another person added, “Poor girl – so many changes in the last few months, new home, new sibling.
“Is someone supporting her emotionally? As for the rest, of course you’re not being unreasonable, but your husband needs to step up and educate well and she’s comforting.
‘Two to three servings of fruit per day is enough. You can also buy frozen fruit to make it cheaper.’
A third said: ‘This makes me quite sad. Sounds like she’s in some trouble, bless her. And it also makes me sad that you blame her. But maybe I’ve read it all wrong.’
And another thought the poster was too harsh, adding, “She sounds like she’s had a pretty traumatic time, so maybe don’t call her greedy, eh? It’s comfort food – she just switched from candy to fruit. That amount of sugar is not good for her, so talk to your man about it in those terms. Explain to her that it’s not healthy to eat too much fruit (or whatever) and hand it out. Put it where she can’t reach it.’
Meanwhile, some sympathized with the mother, with one adding, “Not unreasonable at all.
“That’s a ridiculous amount of fruit to eat in a day, and as you say, no matter the cost, eventually she’ll make herself sick.” You can’t have too much of anything, no matter how healthy it is!
‘The cost would annoy me too – that’s easily £5 plus fruit a day.’
And another wrote, “That’s an insane amount, and I’m surprised her dad doesn’t step in and set boundaries.
“It may be “healthy” food, but it’s still sugar. I’d be p*ssed if I paid the food bill too original poster.’