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Original poster

Snack hounding driving me mad

82 replies

Relocatiorelocation · 30/10/2022 11:37

We've come to a play village place this morning. Both dc are presently stood in different corners of the place sulking as I've said no to more snacks.

They drive me bloody mad.

Just a whiff of a cafe / shop / ice cream cart and they can completely ruin a day out. They both just stand there like starving Street dogs giving me eyes for snacks. They absolutely aren't hungry, they have adequate snacks and treats, but nothing is ever enough.

From a health, finance and not wanting Verucca Salt children I limit snacks and treats but they certainly don't go without.
I've cut outings short before as their keeping on has driven me mad. They don't have any additional needs or physical conditions or anything, they are just annoying sugar hounds.

Any tips?

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 30/10/2022 11:39

What snacks are you giving them and what snacks are they wanting? There's a huge difference between a slice of mango and a full sized Mars bar.

AnApparitionQuipped · 30/10/2022 11:39

Could you give them their own money to buy snacks - once it's gone, it's gone - no arguments. Up to them what they spend it on and how they space it out.

walshejlpaos · 30/10/2022 11:40

We have snacks at specific times, I've taught them to know these times on the clock and we stick to it both out and at home. They still nag but less than they did, it makes it easier to say no and stick to it.

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SkylightSkylight · 30/10/2022 11:42

What have they had to eat this morning?

Original poster
Relocatiorelocation · 30/10/2022 11:43

@Pixiedust1234 they can have unlimited fruit, I've always got fresh and dried in my bag for an outing. They'd be after ice cream /cake or whatever really.
@AnApparitionQuipped and @walshejlpaos sorry I should have said ages, 6 and 3. Too young for own money or telling time. But thank you for the tips.

OP posts:
Original poster
Relocatiorelocation · 30/10/2022 11:45

@SkylightSkylight they've each had scrambled egg on toast with ham (weird I know) plus orange juice. They've drank loads of water. They've had a muffin each from behind the counter. They've had a little box of raisens.
We're going for a roast at a friend's soon, I'd like them to have an appetite for it.
Honestly it's not hunger, they just fucking love snacks and treats.

OP posts:
HappyHolidai · 30/10/2022 11:45

Ice cream and cake are much better than fruit!

jumperoozles · 30/10/2022 11:46

Bring own snacks and give them at set times, no more snacks you buy when out and about? Then if you do buy them an ice cream or something in the summer it’s a big treat and not something that’s expected? Just an idea - thinking back to when I was young my parents had no money for snacks out so it was a v rare treat to get something.

BeKindToYourMind · 30/10/2022 11:46

@Relocatiorelocation mine are exactly the same! I warn them now before we go anywhere so they know they're having a meal at home, and that I've got a snack each in my bag.

Mine also get plenty, so it's not about them being deprived.

Pixiedust1234 · 30/10/2022 11:47

There you go. Your choices are not viewed as snacks by most children (or some adults). When on an outing snacks are treats, something different to the norm.

DeathMetalMum · 30/10/2022 11:49

Following.

Dd2 is 9 and still the same. As soon as she spots a person carrying an ice cream she mithers, constantly. We always bring plenty of our own filling snacks. Dd1 couldn't care less.

Haycorns4Piglet · 30/10/2022 11:50

I don't know what this obsession is with children constantly snacking these days. I swear that wasn't a thing back in the 90s! You had 3 main meals, maybe a pack of crisps or something if you were really starving while waiting for dinner, but it wasn't a ceaseless stream of snacks! I've nannied for so many families and the constant eating drives me mad. It makes crumbs, the children get sticky, they don't want to eat proper meals and they either whine/pester or help themselves from the fridge or cupboards which I can't help but think is bad manners.

Sorry OP, not getting at you! Obviously you're saying no to it. It's just very much a 'thing' these days and I don't like it so took the chance to have a rant!

With your kiddos, are you consistent? And their dad/other caregivers too? If sometimes they have stuff by pestering for it I guess they've learnt that.

LolaSmiles · 30/10/2022 11:51

It's an age thing, but if it makes you feel better I'm also not a fan of endless snack culture. DC can have fruit, some cracker/crisps snacks we get in, sometimes a biscuit or a flapjack. If we go out then sometimes we get an ice cream or cake, but it's not a given and we don't tolerate any strops over it.

Paq · 30/10/2022 11:52

That sounds tough. I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I would just avoid places with cafes as much as possible. Easier said than done I know!

Quitelikeit · 30/10/2022 11:54

If you are in a soft play/ cafe then it’s natural for them to want a treat

you tell them before you leave the house

’we are going to a soft play but won’t but eating there today but I’ve packed a snack’ preparation works v well with kids

personally id just pack my own juice and snack and give it to them once there

not sure you can be hard on them just because you know they can’t be hungry as that’s not the way their mind works! They see lovely treats etc

TheWayTheLightFalls · 30/10/2022 11:54

I have one this age. Very clear expectations of what we are having when, and then stick to your guns. Any moping and we’re off home.

We have plenty of treats etc but there’s a limit.

BookedOut · 30/10/2022 11:58

I have a strict ‘if you nag, you don’t get’ rule. So they can ask. I say yes or no. They ask again. I say no, and any more asking will count as nagging.

Nagging is so annoying that I don’t want it to work, so once I’ve been nagged there is no chance I will change my mind. It only takes a few weeks of saying ‘no, and you nagged, and so I am still saying no’ consistently, and it ramped right down. But you get an extinction burst first, as they test you are really serious about it.

BeyondMyWits · 30/10/2022 11:59

Snacks out are treats, and a treat is an occasional thing, not commonplace or every time, certainly not multiple "treats" on one occasion.

If you are not happy about their reaction, you need to change their expectations. Stop going places before going somewhere for a nice meal. Stop buying stuff, their breakfast sounds great, that should see them through a few hours. If mine were playing up, we'd just leave.

Spicycurry · 30/10/2022 12:00

I really sympathise @Relocatiorelocation

That would drive me absolutely dotty.

User19876 · 30/10/2022 12:02

Fresh and dried fruit are not treats! They are everyday foods so no wonder they think they’re boring and want something different. If we are on a fun outing I have no problem with the children having an ice cream or something at the cafe. Not unlimited, just one smallish thing each but a proper treat so they feel satisfied with it and move on. No weight issues or cavities or anything.

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 30/10/2022 12:03

They don’t need snacks if they eat proper meals. Stay strong. They do eventually learn what no means.

Mrsjayy · 30/10/2022 12:04

I'd let them have a cake or ice cream on a day out or take a packed lunch and promise and ice cream before you go home. Tell them before you go what they are allowed and stop .having snacks on hand in your bag if you are only going out for a few hours.

Theydoyaknow · 30/10/2022 12:08

User19876 · 30/10/2022 12:02

Fresh and dried fruit are not treats! They are everyday foods so no wonder they think they’re boring and want something different. If we are on a fun outing I have no problem with the children having an ice cream or something at the cafe. Not unlimited, just one smallish thing each but a proper treat so they feel satisfied with it and move on. No weight issues or cavities or anything.

This!!!

HotPenguin · 30/10/2022 12:11

I would just stop going to places that have cakes etc for a while. It is hard for them if they can see food, they naturally want to eat it, and this is what many of these soft plays etc are banking on to make their money.

I agree that the whole snack culture is bizarre and unhealthy.

WomanStanleyWoman2 · 30/10/2022 12:12

Children preferring ice cream and cake to fruit is hardly news!

Of course you can say no, but I think you’re living in false hope if you think there’s a magic solution that will make them prefer carrot sticks and dried apple slices to a brownie and a 99.

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