A mum was 'screamed at' after she served children chicken curry and olives for lunch.
The anonymous mum was taking care of a friend's child and had them round for dinner where she served a homemade curry and olives as a healthy snack.
But was left feel guilty after the child's mother screamed at her down the phone once her daughter returned to her.
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The daughter who ate the chicken curry was in fact vegetarian, unknown to the mum who took to popular forum Mumsnet to ask if she was being unreasonable to serve meat at lunch.
She explained the situation on Mumsnet page AIBU [Am I being unreasonable].
Posting anonymously she said: "I invited a friend's DD [dear daughter] to my house. She and one of her friend's had been invited to a wedding and they were going to go together. I offered to have her DD and casually offered to have her friend's DD too. She jumped at the chance and was very enthusiastic.
"This was all a very last minute arrangement and both seemed grateful to have childcare sorted. They were gone before lunch time but would be back before six so was told they'd sort dinner. I briefly mentioned what to give for lunch and my own friend didn't actually say but I know her DD very well so just gave her what I know she would eat. No problems.
"However, my friend's friend said "Oh just a cheese sandwich will do fine! Thanks again for having her."
"I made a chicken curry. Both girls ate it and then wanted some seconds. We also had some olives randomly as a snack in the early evening.
"Friend's friend rang me once her DD was home with her screaming! I was completely shocked and not sure what she was talking about at first. Then she was clear and said, "YOU GAVE HER CHICKEN?! She is veggie!!!!! You could've damaged her stomach! She isn't used to meat""
She added: "I apologies profusely and said how sorry I was. It was a genuine mistake. She then said 'And the olives?! A choking hazard aren't they?!'
"I again apologised but said I didn't realise it was wrong. I then said I won't have her again so there's no need to worry any further. She started screaming again and I hang up.
"This was Sunday night. I haven't heard from my friend (who's child I know better and am actually close with). Her phone goes to VM and WhatsApp messages aren't double ticking.
"Was I really that unreasonable? I really really didn't even think she could be veggie. To make matters worse, my own child has a severe disability and he doesn't eat meat. I feel so bad."
Hundreds of other mothers and Mumsnet users rushed to the post reassure the poster, while some pointed out that she should have checked for any dietary requirements.
One simply replied: "I'd be sending her my childcare invoice pronto. Cheeky b****."
The mum later added: "Well the thing is... I'm thinking, I didn't actually ensure she wasn't veggie? And it isn't uncommon? So maybe I am in the wrong for that."
Another interjected: "Dietary requirements should be raised if someone is in a situation where they will be offered food. How old are the girls? Could she not have said herself she was veggie?"
"Good god. If she didn't want her child to eat certain things, she should've discussed it with you beforehand. They are behaving very badly indeed." A third accused the other parent.
Another agreed: "So weird that she didn't tell you that her child was veggie. And as for the olive thing, I give my 18 month old olives not cut up and she manages fine!"
Another mum comforted the OP and said: "Genuine mistake on your part. She should have told you if there were dietary requirements. I'd also feel bad in your place, as you do, but it really isn't your fault."
""A cheese sandwich will do fine" does not translate to "my child is strictly vegetarian"." One agreed that she was not being unreasonable.
And one could see both sides of the argument and added: "I can kind of a tiny bit see in her mind she's said cheese sandwiches so she didn't think she needed to say she's veggie, however my children are vegetarian and if they eat anywhere I make sure I tell people. Even offer to send food if it's easier. I certainly wouldn't scream at them if this happened. Both of my children would check if it was real chicken or not before eating though."
Do you always check children's dietary requirements or is that up to their parent or guardian to disclose first? Let us know in the comments.
