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Original poster

Do you ration kids Christmas chocolate?

24 replies

Useitorloseit · 30/12/2022 18:03

Stepchild aged 9 got loads of Christmas chocolate but they have no self control and have twice in the past made themselves sick by eating too much. DH has boxed theirs up and says he will offer them to choose out the box after evening meal until it's gone. Does this seem mean? (They went wild with it on Christmas Day!) Do you let your children eat theirs whenever they want? Really don't know if he's being a little mean or sensible! Ages of children and how you handle it would be really helpful!

OP posts:

DuplicateUserName · 30/12/2022 18:04

I think it's very sensible if the child hasn't learned to self-regulate.

Of course the parent should step in.

Original poster

Useitorloseit · 30/12/2022 18:06

DuplicateUserName · 30/12/2022 18:04

I think it's very sensible if the child hasn't learned to self-regulate.

Of course the parent should step in.

But will they ever if they don't get the chance....

OP posts:

3WildOnes · 30/12/2022 18:07

My three year old I box up and let her choose some after dinner. 7 and 12 year olds both have their stashes in their rooms and can eat when they like but they are pretty sensible and aren't having too much at once.

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DuplicateUserName · 30/12/2022 18:08

Useitorloseit · 30/12/2022 18:06

But will they ever if they don't get the chance....

Show quote history

Yes.

They'll learn because they're being taught how to do it.

SBAM · 30/12/2022 18:09

Yes, and I do for Easter too. My kids are 3 &5, and I expect I’ll carry on with keeping it in the cupboard and letting them have a bit at a time until they’re pre-teen kind of age, 10 or so I guess.

Children aren’t known for their rational decision making.

Newuser82 · 30/12/2022 18:13

Goodness if I didn't mine would literally eat chocolate from morning till night!

EcoCustard · 30/12/2022 18:16

I have to put DC’s 3 & 5 in the cupboard as they would scoff the lot and make themselves sick. Dc 8 & 7 are good now and have it on their desk and eat a little each day, this is a recent development though.

Idontmeanto · 30/12/2022 18:17

By nine I’d stopped regulating, but it also depends how much they get. One selection box I wouldn’t bother…if all the aunts and uncles bought one and there was a real chocolate mountain I might intervene longer.

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 30/12/2022 18:18

Nope. I regulate chocolate and other treats the rest of the year, but my kids know on Christmas Day they can have what they like.

They have some, then put it away when they've had enough. Both of them still have chocolate left in their stockings, and have barely made a dent in their selection boxes.

Pootle22 · 30/12/2022 18:19

That sounds very sensible, you can't let kids go mad when they're too young to make good choices.

I do agree that it can be a hard balancing act, I was severely rationed as a kid and I swear it's what has made me obsessed with sweet stuff.

Monkeybutt1 · 30/12/2022 18:23

We let DS 10 eat what he wanted on Xmas day then it all went into a box and he has a bit everyday after his dinner. When he is back at school he only has pudding on a weekend but he is very sporty and knows he can't eat loads of he wants to be fit so is happy with that.

SquigglePigs · 30/12/2022 18:27

DD is 4 and yes, we ration it. For a few days around Christmas she is allowed more than usual but she isn't old enough to ration herself yet.

Original poster

Useitorloseit · 30/12/2022 18:29

Quite a big chocolate mountain here!! Very recently turned 9 as well so not near 10 if that helps. Think DH is doing the right thing, thanks for the replies so far! Also have our own DC aged 3 who is (obviously) having the same thing done with their stash.

OP posts:

Lkydfju · 30/12/2022 18:31

On Christmas Day my DC let loose but since then it’s boxed up as otherwise that’s all they’d eat for a week

Catterpillarwithconverse · 30/12/2022 18:34

Newuser82 · 30/12/2022 18:13

Goodness if I didn't mine would literally eat chocolate from morning till night!

Same here, and they just accept it when I ration it and it's absolutely fine. So it's a bit of a no brainer to me.

Marmaladegin · 30/12/2022 18:36

I don't but mine are over 7 and sensible. If they'd actually made themselves sick before or were under 5 I would

Eightypercent · 30/12/2022 18:40

If only DS could sniff out diamonds or gold or truffles as well as he can secret chocolate stashes....

GardenDIce · 30/12/2022 18:44

Who gives them so much chocolate? Can you ask relatives etc to give money or Amazon vouchers?

aSofaNearYou · 30/12/2022 18:47

I would definitely limit it if they've thrown up due to it multiple times!

Cuwins · 30/12/2022 18:47

Yes but she is 10m! One little bit a day

LBOCS2 · 30/12/2022 21:07

No, but my two (10 and 6) aren't that fussed about chocolate, plus they always ask before they eat it.

I would definitely ration it if they weren't able to self regulate though.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/12/2022 21:10

God yes, or he would make himself sick as a dog!

Blessedbethefruitz · 30/12/2022 21:21

My 3 year old has over 100 chocolate coins, plus bars etc. We've stuck them all in a snack box in his play area. He doesn't help himself, despite never being regulated (food issues and very low weight mean we're very pro food for him, especially high fat food). I cannot imagine giving my (currently 11 month old) baby girl the same opportunities at 3, she loves her (and everyone else's) food and has no weight or food issues!

ChicagoBears · 30/12/2022 21:24

Yep, DC get to choose some sweets/chocolate after finishing their dinner. I can’t wait until it’s all gone, then it’s back to fruit and yogurts for them.

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