**Dear Wendyl,
**My next door neighbour eats a lot of junk food and so do her kids. I, on the other hand, take my children’s health really seriously, and like them to eat mainly organic, healthy stuff. Her kids and my kids are about the same age, so there’s quite a lot of coming and going between our houses, which is fine, except that my kids are tucking in to whatever pizza, burgers, lollies or milkshakes are on the go at her place.
I can’t forbid them to go and play, and I don’t want to fall out with her because she’s nice, but I don’t want my own kids to become unhealthy. Am I being precious (my partner thinks so), or should I try to talk to her about it?
Vanessa, by email
**Dear Vanessa,
**I agree with you that healthy food is best for kids, but I don’t think making a big deal about it is healthy. Your kids spend most of their time with you eating healthily – the occasional junk-food outburst won’t alter the good you’re doing. If you make a fuss about it with the neighbour, you risk:
a) making your kids want the junk food even more by denying them, and b) losing what sounds like a really nice friendship with your neighbour.
The thing about being organic or green or any of these lifestyles that we choose for ourselves is that all-or-nothing thinking just sets you up to fail, because it’s impossible to police everything that goes in your kids’ mouths. Relax and let them get on with it.
Send your questions to [email protected] or write to Agony Aunt, NZWW, PO Box 90119, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142.
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