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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:
Floridaflipflops · 06/02/2021 21:38

@Soubriquet

There is literally no room for a table

The choice would be them sitting on the sofa with a tray, or sitting at a table in their room

Why can’t they sit in the sofa with a tray?
jambeforeclottedcream · 06/02/2021 21:38

@Panpig

It sounds completely dysfunctional for small children to be eating unsupervised in their bedrooms anyway! That's your fault, not theirs
This At 6&7 they are too young to be eating alone.

Of course they are going to forego food when temptations of toys and things are in reach.

If their room is larger than the lounge why not swap them. So the lounge is their bedroom and their bedroom is the lounge?

Quartz2208 · 06/02/2021 21:39

This doesnt sound very healthy OP and I think it is because they are in the room they clearly sleep eat and play in all the time. Much more structure and making use of space is needed.

What is wrong with the sofa and a tray - and try I think to get at least your DH to eat with them

And no punishment - take this as a sign the current arrangements arent working

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Families
Original poster
Soubriquet · 06/02/2021 21:40

I can’t bloody win

A few months ago I was grim for not having them sit at the table and letting them have a tray at the sofa even when I said I’m there was no room.

Now it’s eat at the sofa with a tray Confused

OP posts:
TryingNotToPanicOverCovid · 06/02/2021 21:40

Honestly this is on you and not their fault at all.

  1. Someone should sit with them when they are eating. Make this enjoyable social time not a punishment. If it doesn't fit with your meal times then make sure one of you has a cup of tea and a biscuit or just sit and chat. This is important for them but also the 5 year old could choke etc you just dont know what 2 small children could get up to with food (as you have seen.)
  1. How long are they in their alone?
  1. Is it just meals they're left for? This can easily be sorted see 1. If youre struggling to keep them occupied or to safely supervise them have you considered sending them back to school (or are they?)

I genuinely would be quite concerned if I heard this in real life op.

nimbuscloud · 06/02/2021 21:41

A few months ago you didn’t say they were eating alone in their bedroom

user1471453601 · 06/02/2021 21:41

You ask what my punishment would be, well it would be nothing because what I choose to eat or not, is my business. Now, extrapolate that to a child and ask " why didn't they just bring unwanted food downstairs to despose of". unless the child has an eating disorder, then if try to find out why they felt the need to hide unwanted food.

jambeforeclottedcream · 06/02/2021 21:41

Because that solution of, tray on lap sat on sofa, is better although not ideal than having two small kids eat alone in their bedroom

Changesareafoot · 06/02/2021 21:42

5 and 7 eating alone in a bedroom?! Are you serious? Wtf!

This is totally unacceptable, your poor kids!

Original poster
Soubriquet · 06/02/2021 21:42

Right.

Well I’ve got the message

I will talk to them tomorrow

Gonna hide the thread now as it’s the same questions over and over

OP posts:
SpringIsSprung1 · 06/02/2021 21:42

Op, poor kidsSad "userone" just cruel.

MichelleScarn · 06/02/2021 21:43

@nimbuscloud

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.
Am so op but I have to agree with this, surely with the fact you acknowledge you are extremely restricted in your own eating you must see they need support not punishment?
LizBennet · 06/02/2021 21:43

@Soubriquet

I can’t bloody win

A few months ago I was grim for not having them sit at the table and letting them have a tray at the sofa even when I said I’m there was no room.

Now it’s eat at the sofa with a tray Confused

Bloody hell, you can’t make your decisions based on what randoms on here think 😑
Roastednotsalt · 06/02/2021 21:43

@Soubriquet

There is literally no room for a table

The choice would be them sitting on the sofa with a tray, or sitting at a table in their room

Gosh is this post real? MN can you look into please?

I think you need the punishment. You should be supervising your kids at meal times. It would be better the kids sit on the sofa!

Derbee · 06/02/2021 21:43

@TryingNotToPanicOverCovid

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.

Agree. Awful parenting if this is real
Toorapid · 06/02/2021 21:44

Eating in their room, if that really the only place for a table isn't so bad, but eating alone on their room is. You can't safely leave a 5yo eating alone for a start.

Changesareafoot · 06/02/2021 21:45

For me it’s the fact they’re alone. If you sat in there with them it wouldn’t be so bad but kids that young eating their main meal alone is just so bloody sad!

Porridgeoat · 06/02/2021 21:45

Surely they just removed the mouldy food from the bedroom and clean the plate, bin the mould. Then create a rule about eating at the dining room table.

TryingNotToPanicOverCovid · 06/02/2021 21:45

If you all sit at a table in their room and that works thats great. Picnics can work if need be.

I get from other posters that other issues like this have happened. Do you have any other issues going on? Do you have anyone to support your family? Do you habe a social worker?

If not the school should be able to signpost you to support. In our area there are a number of services that are available that arent normally, due to lockdown. For example we can contact the ed psychs. Or a family worker. I think if you rang an ed psych with this problem you would get support.

Are you strugling with parenting in general?

(Is op often asking food and/or pubishment questions before I invest more time in this)

PegasusReturns · 06/02/2021 21:45

They’re too young to eat alone.

They should be told off, but they need to learn what’s appropriate at meal times. This can only be done if they eat with you.

MessAllOver · 06/02/2021 21:46

I'm sorry things are stressful at the moment, but if you punish them, it will just be because you're taking out your frustrations with your situation on them, not because they've really done anything wrong.

Eat with them. If the only space for a table is in their room, eat as a family in there. At least take a cup of tea and sit and talk to them. This sort of behaviour may just be typical thoughtlessness on the part of young children but it may also be stress from picking up on your stress.

TheCanyon · 06/02/2021 21:46

We moved into a massive house with a separate dining room, we all ate in our rooms and a lot of our (3 siblings) meals went in the coal fire. Our dad was abusive as fuck and our 'favourite' meals were his choice

TryingNotToPanicOverCovid · 06/02/2021 21:47

OP if this is real there honestly is help out there. Don't run away because of those that are shocked. Everyone has their weak point and right now everyones parenting is being tested. Please seek some help, genuinely there are people that can help you be the best mum you can be.

VladimirCutiePutiPie · 06/02/2021 21:48

These children are too young to be eating alone in their rooms. You sound abusive.

MichelleScarn · 06/02/2021 21:48

I mean to say 'I'm sorry OP but'.

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