At what age does food in the fridge become everyone’s?

[Fettuccinecarbonara]

I have two young(ish) children, and if they want a yoghurt from the fridge, a packet of crisps, or a can of fizzy they’ll ask me if they can have it. I generally say yes, but obviously I limit the amount they’re allowed, or how often.

As an adult however, if I want a can of Coke, I’ll have one whenever I want. Hell, maybe two if I want two.

At what age do you just allow your children free reign to the fridge? And would you put limits on them? Eg only one can of coke?

Naturally I’m talking about ‘treat’ food. My children can help them self to toast, cereal, fruit etc whenever they want.

Mine are adults/teen and they still ask in case they belong to someone, or if they've already had one and want another, they'll ask in case it leaves someone else without.

I suppose I raised them that way because there were 7 of us when I was growing up (including my mum and dad), so we had to be thoughtful of others.

My DH asks.

DD is nearly 2 and she's worked out how to get into the freezer this week. Thank god she's only been interested in helping herself to the frozen peas and not my ice cream

Food is available to anyone but if people are greedy I’ll stop buying it. Even if DH is the one being greedy. I won’t stop him stuffing his face but I will tell him he’s being greedy and I won’t facilitate it by buying more.

theneverendinglaundry I'm in no doubt that if my parents could have afforded it they would have treated us and given us snacks but looking back with the benefit of hindsight and mumsnet we were really quite poor.

We didn't feel poor though, and that's what matters.

When I was growing up in the 70s/80s snacking wasn't really a 'thing' tbh.

If we were hungry outside of meal times, we'd have an apple or a slice of toast. Maybe a bowl of cereal before bed.

12 years t asks.

He can get a drink whenever he wants. Usually 10 mint after bedtime 🙄🤣

@roomR0613 I think my mum was extremely prudent rather than anything else. She was raised in a communist country and doesnt believe in snacking 😂

My 13yo dd can help herself but I don't think it's really ever occurred to her that she can so she asks!

I don't buy too much sugary food or drinks though as I will eat it all 😶

Mine can help themselves (after school, after dinner) to:
Fruit and veg(but not berries as they are expensive and they will eat a whole packet without sharing)
Eggs, toast, crumpets, tea cakes (13 year old seems to eat about 3 a day)
Cereal once a day outside of breakfast as they would eat packets
Within moderation cheese, humus etc asking as they leave enough for pack lunches
Everything else they would have to ask for as they desimate packets of biscuits, crisps, juice etc
They are 13, 12 and 9. Can't afford it and they would eat so much shite given the opportunity.

DD is an adult now but I had a very tight food budget so when she was a teen she new what she shouldn't touch e.g I only bought enough yogurt for breakfast, home baking was once a day, I only had corn chips in and that was for nachos. Never to touch any leftover chicken which would be used for other meals.

The only things that were unlimited was fruit, cheese (we are non milk / butter so I figure she has to get some calcium), cereal, bread and crackers.

Mine still ask if it's a "meal" item but fruit, single serve crisps, sausage rolls etc are for snacks BUT it's not permitted to access any snacks within 3 hours of meal time (despite being an adult dd would scoff junk then leave her dinner, she does have asd and an unhealthy relationship with food, rules stand for everyone though

We have a buffet shelf in the fridge which they can eat whenever they want. Everything else they have to ask.

I operate a 'when it's gone it's gone' system with treats so they do moderate with these.