At home, my son eats balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, and proteins, and we follow a strict routine. But when family visits, it’s like all my hard work goes out the window. Fast food, chips, candy, temptations everywhere! I always try to include healthy options and explain why we eat the way we do, but I worry that the exposure to junk food will make him crave it more. I want him to enjoy food while still making good choices. Has anyone else dealt with this? How do you handle it?
Omg, same here!! My kid is 4, and every time my mom visits, she brings a suitcase full of cookies and chocolate. I swear she thinks sugar is a love language. It’s so frustrating because I don’t want to be the bad guy saying no all the time. What do you do when family insists on giving him treats?
I had the same problem, and I found a few things that helped.
- Involve your child in making fun but healthy snacks, fruit kabobs, yogurt parfaits, homemade popsicles.
- Set expectations with family ahead of time like, “We limit sweets, but he loves XYZ healthy snack”).
- Teach your child to recognize how different foods make him feel e.g., “Wow, that apple gave me lots of energy!. It’s not perfect, but over time, they start making better choices on their own.
One weekend won’t erase all the healthy habits you’ve built. You got this! 
I struggle with this too, but in a different way. My in, laws think I’m being too strict and say I should let kids be kids. It makes me feel like I’m depriving my son. Do you ever get pushback from family about your food choices?
THX you all so much for the advice and reassurance! It’s so nice to hear that I’m not alone in this. I love the idea of setting expectations ahead of time and making healthy snacks fun. I think I need to remind myself that consistency at home matters most, and the occasional treat won’t ruin everything. I’ll definitely try to focus more on balance and less on stressing over every little thing. 
My kids are older now (10 & 12), and let me tell you, your efforts will pay off. I used to stress so much about birthday parties and holidays, thinking my kids would turn into sugar monsters. But because we built a foundation at home, they naturally make better choices. They still enjoy treats, but they don’t overdo it. My advice? Stay consistent, be a role model, and let family visits be what they are, temporary. One weekend of indulgence won’t undo years of mindful eating