As much as parents love getting the kids all to themselves during the summer holidays, it can be exhausting to say the least.
Parents have been coming up with tips and tricks to make getting through the holidays easier - but one mum has been labelled a ‘lazy parent’ because of her’s.
With her little ones regularly asking for drinks and snacks throughout the day, mum Shannon James decided to take action, reports the MEN .
The mum-of-two set up snack boxes for her children filled with items they could enjoy throughout the day - and help themselves to - but “once its gone its gone”.
After sharing a photo of the baskets filled with popcorn, cookies and other snacks, alongside a drink dispenser full of orange juice, the mum was labelled a ‘lazy parent’.
Some criticised her choice of snacks, while others suggested she shouldn’t be leaving it to the children to help themselves.
The original post said: Six week holiday survival kit. One of the hardest times of the holidays is the kids asking for drinks / snacks every 5 mins so with this idea they can help themselves.
"The baskets will be refilled every morning but once it’s gone it’s gone so hopefully this will teach them not to be too greedy and a have bit of independence.
“Of course this is alongside breakfast, lunch and dinner and fruit is always available for them to help themselves to."
What do you think of summer holiday snack boxes? Let us know in the comments.
But after being criticised for her idea, she edited the post to say: "I won’t repeat myself again! I put this up to try and be helpful, never did I expect it to blow up and me being judged as 'lazy parent'.
"I filled the basket with everything I bought as an example for the photo, they will not be getting this much each day - however yes some days they may so shoot me.
"Also as stated below there is fruit that they are more then welcome to have and have no cap on hence why it’s not in the basket."
Speaking to the MEN, Shannon said: “It’s so crazy how much this post has blown up.
"People shouldn't be so cruel and judgemental to people behind a screen, their words can be so damaging.
"They're lucky I’m a strong person and can take the bad comments but the good far outweigh, lighten up enjoy the tip or just scroll on by.
"I saw the idea on Instagram and thought wow that’s great.
"So we went shopping, the boys picked a few snacks they liked and then when we got home I filled the baskets with one of everything just for an example, they wouldn’t have all of that.
"I cook homemade meals almost every day, they have unlimited fruit always available and the two are very active so why not let them have treats."
Despite the criticism, Shannon has hundreds of comments praising her idea and saying they would be copying it in their own homes.
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