You may have noticed throughout the 'mummy blogging' community this week, an outpouring of reviews about a certain newly launched cereal. Well I too, jumped on the bandwagon, having been targeted by a PR agency, I was flattered to be approached and keen to find out what this mystery new cereal was, and was truly excited when a 'goody' bag was delivered to my home! Inside, was a box of Weetabix, but not any old Weetabix, along with a free bowl and other goodies, was a box of 'chocolate' Weetabix nonetheless!
Hmmmmm ~ now the moral dilemma ~ I am slightly fussy about what my boys eat, and anything with chocolate in is reserved for variety boxes only to be enjoyed on holidays! Whilst I am assured by the press release that there is less than half the amount of sugar than other chocolate cereals, I still am unsure about encouraging such a sweet palette and chocolate for breakfast on principle, surely it is something that should be enjoyed once a week for good behaviour?
I relent, thinking I must be a really strict mother? Does anyone else think like me? Should I relax more about breakfasts? Should I read the ingredients panels on boxes more? I don't even know, for example, if the so called 'healthy' cereals don't have lots of sugar in and I do let them have sugar or maple syrup on porridge without thinking twice - maybe as I feel I can see it I can control it? I was however, brought up on Weetabix, and it has been a staple food for both my sons since they were weened, aged one.
Well, number one son delighted to be chief tester, helped himself to one weetabix, then came back for a second, closely followed by a third ~ three Chocolate Weetabix, he loved them and poured warm milk all over! Number two son, aged four, is a lot more fussy. He daintily ate his, and stopped half way through proclaiming to have had enough ~ although this is no reflection on the cereal, just emphasises quite how difficult he can be! He did however ask for Chocolate Weetabix the following day and then the day after that! So maybe this is the solution to my difficult eater?
Chocolate Weetabix is available from Sainsbury's now and other supermarkets from August, we have very quickly eaten all of ours!
p.s. I have never done a review or blogged about a product before, I am not sure whether it fits in here, what do you think? Should I do them from time to time and accept adverts? Bit of a dilemma as all the things I have recommended previously have been based on personal experience rather than being asked ~ does it make a difference I wonder?
9 comments:
Because you might be interested (you said you were slightly fussy about what your boys eat), and it shocked me when I first read it - the first chapter of "Eat your Heart out" by Felcity Lawrence (a UK journalist) may be of interest.
Ohh...that's opened up a can of worms! If I'm honest I like the fact that the things you review are unsolicited. I guess if it's clear that the review was invited then there's nothing wrong with it but I would hate to see the feel and flavour of the blog altered and I'm not entirely sure chocolate weetabix is something you'd have ever bought independently?
you'll never ever get a thumbs down from me where chocolate is concerned!
chocolate mini-weetabix have been around for ages:
Libbie {14} likes them from time to time and I think that is the way of most people ~ we tire of eating the same thing every morning:
as for blog compromised?
love your thoughts Emma ~ the rough and the smooth:
☯
Chocolate weetabix - yummy!!! Just shown this to my eldest two and they think it looks fab too!!
I think any review is good and don't think your blog is compromised at all. It's great to find out what other people think about products through whatever medium.
Kerry xxxx
Healthy breakfasts: I would pay close attention to the amount of salt in these cereals as well as the sugar.
Reviews: I think you have a powerful base because you write about what interests you, your integrity is apparent.You may find Natalie Lue's recent post handy when thinking about how this fits with your blog: http://natalielue.posterous.com/cybermummy-recap-the-quick-guide-to-working-w-0
Ads: I would say there is room on your blog for adverts from companies which fit with your own preferences. For example: shops you buys from, camping supplies, campsites etc would all sit here perfectly genuinely.
Kat x
I find it nice to read your thought about things and your insights and how you wonder and question yourself. We all do that as parents it is like hearing ourselves think out loud. We all strive to make the best choices for our children from food to schools to fun activities. Thanks for being speaking with such honesty. I enjoy your posts alot.
Actually, I am quite interested in your views on Chocolate Weetabix. As long as you are honest about any freebies (woohoo - box of weetabix!) and the post is interesting, I think it is absolutely fine.
Kirstie.
I have to say I love your approach!!! Open and very honest!!! Keep it that way!!! There is no harm in doing reviews if they are going to be as honest as this one. Frankly I love your opinion about anything...weetbix or campsites... at least it's fair. I would be very alarmed if you came out and said: "Oh chocky breakfast is my joy, with this my children will out perform all their mates and will be dashing through A-levels by age nine..."
I think, as far as adverts go, you should go for them. Can't see what's wrong with that.
As for reviews of things like chocolate cereal...um, well, er....well, there are lots of mummy blogs where I can probably read reviews about that. I liked the fact that you didn't review PR stuff, it kind of set you apart. Hmm. Tricky. I know PRs don't mind good or bad reviews, as long as they are honest, but I would prefer to read about something that you had bought and what you thought about it.Hope that's ok (would never have said but you did ask!)xx
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