ECHO readers react after mum accused of being 'lazy' for school holiday treat trick

Mum-of-two Shannon James shared her trick to dealing with her kids’ snacking during the summer holidays - and was labelled a ‘lazy parent’ because of it.

With her little ones regularly asking for drinks and snacks throughout the day, Shannon set up snack boxes filled with items they could help themselves to, but “once its gone its gone”.

While many online slated her choice of popcorn, cookies and other snacks and said she shouldn’t be leaving it to the children to help themselves, many parents agreed the boxes were a good idea.

ECHO readers have given their opinions too - and they’re standing with Shannon on the subject.

Caroline Mul New said: “Great idea. Nothing wrong with teaching kids to be independent. What would people rather she do? Have lazy kids sitting around all day being waited on hand and foot?

“She has set the baskets etc up with a set amount of things. If the kids eat them all in one go that’s their hard luck. People shouldn’t be so judgemental.

“How one person chooses to bring up her children is no concern of anyone else’s. Not everyone follows by the same rules. Life would be pretty damn boring if they did.”

Nicola Steen said: “That's not lazy its brilliant idea. I will be doing it next week thanks for the idea xx”.

Samantha Price said: “'Lazy' parent here. I do this. I have a jug in the fridge, and little baskets full of snacks.”

However, some readers criticised the food Shannon put in the snack boxes; Tracy Buxton said: “Diabetes, high blood pressure and an ocean of plastic- what’s not to like”.

One mum even offered an alternative to sugary foods in Shannon’s boxes, Wendy Gerrard said: “A great idea but that's a lot of sugar and rubbish, definitely shouldn't be eating that every day…

“I used to empty the bottom shelf of the fridge and have sliced ready foods for my children to eat..Chicken breast pieces, cheese, fruits, veg, salad etc etc nice cool and fresh and they got their 3 meals a day also.”

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