AN open letter: To the three “delightful” grannies in The Kings Arms (Harvester), Kidlington, at 7pm.

Before I begin I’d like to personally thank you for complaining about me, and my son behind our backs.

Until now, I have looked up to older people.

You’ve proved I should perhaps consider changing the way I think.

Instead of judging my parenting skills or questioning my move regarding my child’s “dinner” let me first enlighten you, as I’m not sure you heard what I said when I ordered just ice cream for my one-year-old son.

My baby has a terrible cold and sore throat, he is chewing food and then spitting it out, gaining no nutritional value from it because of his sore throat.

Ordering an ice cream for him would help with his pain.

Oh, and I also ordered the chocolate sauce on his ice cream because given the pain he’d been in all day, I figured he was allowed a small treat.

They way you insisted he shouldn’t be having chocolate, you’d think I stuck him in front of a huge slab of Galaxy.

I realise that you think he should be on nothing but cow’s milk.

The only problem with that is not only the fact I won’t starve my child, but the World Health Organisation states babies could start solid foods aged only six months of age.

I realise that you said some vile things about me, my so-called “lack” of parenting skills and my son.

You referred to my baby’s weight with inappropriate comments. I’m not sure why you insult my child, not one of you ordered a salad.

Let me tell you this too, had I not been so intent on bringing my baby up properly, with morals, manners and respect, I would have told you this to your face.

However I did not want to cause a confrontation in front of my son. You’re lucky.

SONIA McPHAIL
Bicester