Mum accused of ‘starving’ her daughter by friend after seeing her lunch

Her friend was "aghast".

One mum has divided the internet after she told how her friend accused her of "starving" her daughter at lunch. The Mumsnet user explained that her friend was appalled when she saw what her eight-year-old daughter ate for lunch - and claimed that her 18-month-old child ate more than that. She began her post:

"I’ve just been told by a visiting friend I’m basically starving her when she saw her lunch!

• 1 mini pitta
• 6 mini breadsticks
• Dessert spoon of houmous
• Dessert spoon of guacamole
• Bowl of strawberries cut up (6 big ones)
• A frube

"That’s fine isn’t it?? "For breakfast she had a bowl of plain yogurt and loads of berries. "She will most likely have an afternoon snack usually cheese or a piece of fruit and dinner is normally casserole/fish pie/jacket potato and soup or similar She has milk before bed. "She’s fine! Always has small snacks lunches and doesn’t complain of hunger Friend was aghast and said her kids at 18 month-old ate more than that."

The opinion was mostly split, with some people saying that it was definitely enough food - while others felt it was, in fact, a small portion. One person said:

"That's more than my 6yo would eat but my 9yo eats like a hungry adult so it would barely touch the sides for him. 18mos can be demons for food as well if they're growing or never sit still."

Someone else added:

"I have three children. It would be fine for two of them but not the third. Does your child ask for more food afterwards? If not I think it’s fine."

Another person commented:

"My 7 and 9 year old would still be ravenous after that! It would fill the 2 yr old though as long as you added some cheese or ham!"

Other people urged the woman to ignore her friend's comments, pointing out the every child has different appetites. A mum wrote:

"Plenty of food. She's not hiking in the in the arctic and she's had breakfast and will get dinner."

A different parent said:

"Every child has different appetites, as long as they're happy full and not hungry then whats the harm. Ignore your friend."