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Original poster

What would your punishment be for this....

187 replies

Soubriquet · 06/02/2021 21:15

We have discovered that food the dc don’t want to eat has been shoved under the wardrobe

It was found purely by chance.

We don’t normally move the wardrobe to hoover under it because it’s so big and cumbersome. It’s been under there so long it’s gone mouldy EnvyEnvy

They are both grounded tomorrow but what else could happen?

They have been eating in their room because there isn’t real room in the living room (very small room) and we eat different times as I’m in bed early due to night shift work.

The first thing we have done is squeezed a small amount of space in so they can no longer eat unsupervised. It will be an extremely tight squeeze but a necessary evil

OP posts:
SnarkyBag · 06/02/2021 21:17

Punishment depends on age I guess?

LizBennet · 06/02/2021 21:17

Are you sure they’re not squirrels? 🐿 🤔

hopeishere · 06/02/2021 21:18

How old are they? Can you not eat on your lap in the sitting room?

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TryingNotToPanicOverCovid · 06/02/2021 21:19

Absolutely wouldn't punish.

I'd try to seek to understand why hey didnt feel they could tell you they didn't like it or were full. You really don't want to head towards eating issues.

Are they on their own all day?

BlueTimes · 06/02/2021 21:19

I wouldn’t punish for that. It sounds like they are scared to tell you they don’t want to eat it and considering you’ve started a post about repercussions for it, I’m not surprised.

Hiding food that isn’t eaten can be a sign of a disorder. Are you controlling about their mealtimes?

idontlikealdi · 06/02/2021 21:20

How old?

Are they eating their meals on their own in their room?

I wouldn't punish.

TryingNotToPanicOverCovid · 06/02/2021 21:21

Instead come up with some solutions together, as a family. Depending on their age could they help come up with a meal plan to help cook?

Punishing when they're having to eat in their rooms and also don't feel they can say they dont want it is really wrong.

How are they coping with lockdown? Where do you all usually eat?

DinosaurDiana · 06/02/2021 21:21

I wouldn’t punish, I’d find out what they didn’t like about it and compromise.

Chimchar · 06/02/2021 21:21

How old are the kids?

I don't think I'd be looking at punishment tbh. I'd be sitting and having a chat with them about why they've not eaten it and telling them of the horrors that happen when you leave food hanging about...maggots, mould, mice etc.

Why is there food left? Is it because they don't like it? Because they were full? Because they're being lazy?

BrokenBrit · 06/02/2021 21:21

No punishment. I would talk to them and understand why the felt they had to do that. Is there a guilt/ shame issue with food developing?
I would also try and eat meals with them, living room on the sofa but together would be much better than alone in their rooms.

swallowinthesky · 06/02/2021 21:22

Please don’t punish them. Sad

It depends on ages but there’s a good chance they had no idea about mould etc. Plus children tend to live in the ‘here and now.’

multivac · 06/02/2021 21:22

They are both grounded tomorrow...

Well if you are in England, I'm going to venture that this is not the most impactful consequence you could impose right now...

ElfAndSafetyInspector · 06/02/2021 21:22

Depending how old they are that sounds pretty normal (I can't see it so it's no longer a problem) if very irritating. I'd get them to help clean up but probably nothing else.

Does grounded even have meaning at the moment? It's not like they can go anywhere.

nimbuscloud · 06/02/2021 21:23

You posted the other day about your restricted eating. I cannot believe that you want to punish your children for this. Surely you should be helping them.

Fiftysixthnamechange · 06/02/2021 21:23

I wouldn't punish for this. I would feel horrified that a. My children were forced to eat in the bedroom (no space in the kitchen or lounge, really?) and b. They were so scared of me that they couldn't say they were full/didn't like it etc etc. Why are you not looking at yourselves rather than thinking of punishments?

Original poster
Soubriquet · 06/02/2021 21:23

5 and 7 (almost 6 and 8)

The food that we have found is food they chose to eat, so not something that we gave them.

I think they shoved it under there because they wanted to go back and play even though they said they were hungry.

OP posts:
Mylittlepony374 · 06/02/2021 21:24

Instead of punishing I'd be doing some self reflection as to why my children were that scared about not eating their food that they felt they had to hide it from me.

Toorapid · 06/02/2021 21:25

I would make them help clear up and change eating arrangements so it didn't happen again. No more than that.

TryingNotToPanicOverCovid · 06/02/2021 21:25

Oh gosh they are far too young to be eating alone mever mind being punished.

I really hope this is a food troll and not real.

fireplaceburning · 06/02/2021 21:26

I wouldn't punish. Is there no way you can eat together? It seems so sad to think that they have to eat alone

LizBennet · 06/02/2021 21:27

OP has been here a long time.

I’m pretty shocked there isn’t room to eat anywhere aside from their bedroom though.

MysweetAudrina · 06/02/2021 21:28

I'd probably just give out shite to them and rant about mice and mould and then laugh about it later with dh. Wouldn't really punish them at that age for doing something like that. Not much point grounding a child in lockdown.

VodselForDinner · 06/02/2021 21:28

They’re given food they don’t want, eaten alone in their rooms.

I think they’ve been punished enough.

marly11 · 06/02/2021 21:28

Don't punish at that age for this. I am a parent who is clear and far from laisser faire - but they are young, their focus was on playing, you suggest, as is natural at this age, and they are eating in their rooms - which you authorised.

At that age they have little concept about food hygiene and mould.
If you allowed them to eat in their rooms then there is little if anything about this that is punishable. My Dc are much older and our house rules are no food outside of the kitchen - for this reason - so bits don't get left around. The only problems I have had have been in the last 6 months with a near adult child home from uni with plates and food in his room! What you are suggesting sounds to me far too draconian for what has happened.

inquietant · 06/02/2021 21:28

@Soubriquet

5 and 7 (almost 6 and 8)

The food that we have found is food they chose to eat, so not something that we gave them.

I think they shoved it under there because they wanted to go back and play even though they said they were hungry.

I am going to try not to be rude but absolutely wrong to even consider punishment. What are you thinking??? They are FIVE and SEVEN.