To never buy snacks/squash/sweets etc again

[Fiera]

Every single time there is somthing remotely snackly in the house it just gets taken and eaten. The large double concentrate bottles of squash gone within 24 hours, any kind of sugary cerial gone the same day they come through the door.
I dont like to use the word 'steal' but tonight its the only word i can use because my daughter actually STOLE my can of coke.
We never usually buy coke or Fizzy anything, nut it was my eldest sons birthday and all the children had a can as a very rare treat. My daughter actualli hid my can up her sleeve (after having drank hers earlier in the evening) and went and drank it in her bedroom.
Even my toddler daughters 'treats' like 'GoGo' biscuits and 'Goodies' puffs just disapear before she even knows theyre there.
We have a full fruit bowl, two actually, every day and even they get emptied. They have hot meals every day so theyre not 'hungry' just greedy.
I just dont understand why they do it and im seriously considering just not buying again.
My toddler will happily drink water (theres hardly ever any squash left for her anyway)

Part of the problem is that they know if they don't eat it straight away they won't get any left.

My df and dbr got into this at one point.

It would go like this:
Dm would make a cake. Dbr would eat around 1/3. Df would come home and see it, and eat around 1/4. Dbr would see that more had gone and take it off to his room and finish it. Dm would go to find it the next day and find a pile of crumbs.
They'd both state that if they didn't eat it then they "wouldn't have got any".

Once dm made a cake and gave them a tin each with 1/4 of the cake each, they didn't feel the need to wolf it down in one go.

I try and make sure any rare treats are fairly distributed as much as possible. So if we get, say some Aero yoghurts, no one can have a second until everyone who likes them has had a first (and not on the same day). We have lemonade Sundays, where we have a (Sainsbury's own cheap!) bottle of lemonade between us for Sunday dinner-so now fizzy isn't that treat it once was, so they don't feel the need for cans whenever they can get hold of it.

Cakes often go stale in our house

Yanbu op. The attitudes in this thread are shocking.

I personally do snack. I'm trying to lose weight, and if I'm really hungry but deny myself too long, I'll eat crap. So I snack on fruit or veg or protein. If I'm not hungry enough for an apple of peice of cheese I'm not hungry. Personally I don't snacking is awful just so long as its boring. They won't eat bananas at the same rate of crisps. There's no harm in providing fruit, veg or protein for snacks as they're 'boring' foods so they're unkindly to over eat them. It's just junk food they seem to have the issue with.

I think there's a balance between letting kids have free reign of treat stuff and not allowing it at all. Moderation is key, but some kids can't self regulate. Maybe not say once it's gone it's gone and let them crack on - as someone upthread said Its the ones who eat it slowly and not all at once that will miss our on their fair share. I like the treat boxes idea. Much fairer, and once it's gone it's gone

I don't think it's right for a big (I'm assuming those large ones from Tesco it's difficult to lift) bottle of double strength squash to go in a day. I'm not a fan of water, I don't like the taste of it. I do buy bottled but not tap as I hate it. I also buy the sugar free flavoured water. Personally I find tap water boring so don't drink it. I could drink it, but don't like the taste so why make myself? I drink mostly squash and flavoured it plain bottled water. A bottle of Robinson's normal strength squash lasts 2 of us in my house between 2 and 3 weeks. A bottle of squash a day would get expensive. Until they learnt to self regulate I'd be buying bottled water, perhaps sugar free flavoured if you wanted, or water with fresh fruit in

Food is such a big issue these days. People are obsessed.
When I was a child food was something you just had at mealtimes. We knew to have breakfast, lunch and an evening meal. Apart from that we didn't really think about it that much.
My mother bought fruit and sometimes biscuits and she baked cakes once in a while. We had sweets on a Saturday and were allowed a bottle of fizzy pop between four of us on a Saturday too.
All our meals were prepared from scratch.
We played out most days and were hungry when we came in for a meal so we weren't fussy about food, we just ate what was given.
We ate school dinners which were a set meal...no different choices. If we took a packed lunch it was a sandwich and a piece of fruit, nothing else.
The whole culture around food was just different. I don't think you could appreciate the difference if you didn't live through it.

I remember my Mum saying the same thing to my brother, he being ten years older than me he even ate my baby rusks lol, in those days Mum only shopped Saturday and by Saturday afternoon he ate all the goodies. As for sugar in our house I don't buy it now, and the kids are into keep fit and Instagram body posing so they are fine with it. Granted they are older 18, 17 and 15 but still never stop eating but at least its healthy. I just think it would be easier to stop buying the snacks and you the kids and your toddler won't miss them once you get out of the habit.

Teenagers are a nightmare with eating everything... We just don't buy rubbish, however. If the teenagers want a snack, they can get some cheese / peanut butter and plain crackers, or humous and breadsticks (I'd keep packs of ham or other cold meat, but they're all deciding to be vegetarian) - these have fat and goodness in them and will fill them up in a way crisps / chocolate / sugary cereal never could.

If squash isn't there then they will drink things that are better for them or fill them up (water, milk). By limiting sugar as much as I can, my children don't have such a tolerance - at parties where they can eat all the cake / biscuits / crisps they want, they feel sickly and give up before their friends do. We have pudding as a treat if we eat out, but that's it.

They still get sweets on a Friday, but it's a treat - which is what Mars bars etc were designed as - treats, not something to be eaten three times a day. As for taking your Coke, or eating all they crisps, I'd be furious. That's just rudeness.

Fury over crisps and coke

My children ask before eating anything, even fruit. In certain cases I will put initials on things, that way I can keep track of who has had what otherwise I get "A has had 2 and I've not had any!" from B! It's simple manners to ask in my opinion. I know of some kids who will eat biscuits 10 minutes before a meal and the parent will moan they don't eat the meal. Put a lock on the treat cupboard if necessary!

What are the eating habits of your dh and extended family (aunts/uncles/cousins etc)? Do they binge eat and snack alot? I have 2 dd the eldest is like me and my nan, dont ever really feel hungry and can quite easily miss a meal by accident if we're distracted or on the go and only have a sweet tooth at time of the month and then can eat like a wild animal! Dd2 on the other hand can sniff out food like a search dog just like her dad and uncle nothing is safe. They can easily polish off a big bowl of porrige toast and fruit. Then an hour later they're at the yoghurts and crackers. I think alot depends on the person, we're all different in our metabolisms and calorie in take needs.
The only rule in my house is you have to check first ( although both my kids are still primary age) but if i have bought a cake they cannot just help themselves 1 i may not have bought it for us ( i some times buy cakes for work) 2 cake is usually saved for after/tea dinner, 3 depends on the time (sorry dd2 you're not eating cake at 9am or just as im putting tea in the oven). I include them (to a point) with what goes on the shopping list they may pick 1 or 2 items for themselves if anyone else wants some they have to ask but when its gone its gone. For example dd1 will request crackers and -shitty- squeezy cheese / pretzles etc dd2 will ask for peanuts/donuts/marshmallows/expensive berries. Whichever i buy them is their treat Its up to then how they ration or share.
Any other shopping apart from.what is planned for meals is portioned equally. So i buy a big bag of crisps / yoghurts there is 3 each for example. Again if they eat their share and want more then tough wait till the next shop. Punishment for taking extra (without asking) is they have to replace it from their own money and miss out on their treat next time. It has only happened twice. My girls and dh thinks its fair ( and its stopped him from nicking my dark chocolate stash) they understand what is healthy and what isn't and generally make good choices. I think you need to set down some firm ground rules and find a suitable punishment for those that dont follow. ( im not talking mass gounding and slave labour but enough to show them that they need to share equally and have consideration for others) not fair they eat your toddlers snacks aswell as their own. I would make her replace the can of coke and ask why she did it, was she craving the sugar (time of month) or simply being greedy? Had she of asked would you have allowed her? If not explain why... get them to help with the cooking and shopping and try new recipies and ideas. Im sure tgey will grow out of it if you are firm but fair x

I think this is a rudeness issue as much as a food issue. I'm pretty chilled about what my kids eat, but they still generally ask first as A) it's polite, and B) it means they don't accidentally snack just before a meal. Eating the toddler's stuff obviously isn't kind, and I'd be having words about that as kindness and empathy are things that I worry more about than sugar grams.
I've also found with squash (especially double concentrate) that it's really easy to pour it too strong. So I have a two litre jug that gets refilled whenever necessary, but we make sure that it's only 200ml of juice and the rest water.

keep a bag out the way in the cleaning cupboard or something.they will start to measure the grab on what is left.is there is less there to start with they will have to take less.
also have word.keep having a word.dont be angry just say new rule kids if your having a snack we need to make sure we are thinking of others in the house get there share.otherwise tell them youll have to start limiting then stopping buying them.
don't stop altogether.this will in kids that age only start a rebellion.they are in survivial of the fittest mode as teenagersit wont change.but you can keep tyring.
let them no the walls of regulation and safety in rules Is still there being mpushed upon them even if they don't listen.somewhere in the distance on the horizon of there listening they will be taking what your saying onbaord.
I remember so many times I went agasint my own mum and dad.but years later I can still remember what it was I said.i can still remember the morals they tried to instil and I really think it changed or helped me.even if at the time whatever force was in my decided to stick it to them and ignore it haha.
plus from reading on here look,your not alone.

It is like this in my house too op. I buy Ribena only when it's on special offer but it will go in a day. I have 4 teenagers and I think there is an element of them thinking if they don't get in quickly and get their share it will be taken by someone else. My ds3 could eat a whole pack of biscuits in a day and a whole packet or cereal, the annoying thing is he is as skinny as anything. I bought a large box of about twelve easy peeler satsumas the other week - they were gone within a couple of hours, I didn't even get one.

My ds3 could eat a whole pack of biscuits in a day and a whole packet or cereal, the annoying thing is he is as skinny as anything

Why do you let him though? Thats the real question.

I don't think the issue is food, but respect for property.

In my mind the issue is that these kids think it's okay to take stuff that isn't theirs and when they've been told not to take certain foods, they do so anyway.

I mentioned before that I have a friend who has a DD who regularly steals food, make up, toiletries....anything really. She knows which food she is free to eat whenever she feels like it (plenty of fruit and bread) but certain foods are needed for meals or have to be asked for first (think punnet a of berries etc) - but DD won't ask and raids the fridge and cupboards and eats the treats. She also takes her mums makeup, goes into the cabinet where spare shower gel etc is and just opens the stuff. Also goes into the present drawer and finds toiletry sets, make up sets and other stuff intended as gifts and just uses it.

In my view, the reason she does it, is she doesn't have respect for property and has been allowed to get away with it.....consequences have never existed or been great. So friend has a cupboard with a lock now......but who should need to lock food or other stuff away from ones own kids??

If you make sure your kids aren't hungry and have access to food, then having some restrictions on just randomly taking certain types of food is fine. And children should be able to be trusted to not steal....because if the rules are clear and they are t hungry, then continuing to take is stealing and showing no respect for parents or food or property.

I think this is what needs addressing.

But my kids couldn't steal food cos it's their food. Thst the point you're missing

Lethal, in fact YOU are missing the point: that the DD knew the can of Coke was her mum's treat and she had already had her own. Which is why she felt she needed to hide it up her sleeve and drink it in her bedroom.

If I had something that my kid wanted I would gladly give it to them. I'm a grown up not a 5 year old.

Well aren't you a saint.

It's not a bad thing for kids (and these are not tiny tots) to learn that you can't always have something just because you want it. Or that other people deserve treats just as they do.

If I had something that my kid wanted I would gladly give it to them. I'm a grown up not a 5 year old

And there is the problem today....

My ds3 could eat a whole pack of biscuits in a day and a whole packet or cereal, the annoying thing is he is as skinny as anything

He won't stay that way and he won't be healthy eating all that sugar either.

My kids don't binge on food. They are slim fit and healthy. The problem is the adult being a bad role model when it comes to food.

Are teenagers utterly incapable of self control then? Because it would appear so reading this thread

Funny because as a teenager I was more than capable of understanding that I should'nt eat an entire packet of biscuits/ whole bottle of pop etc to myself. I appreciated there were three other people in my house who might want some too.

It's called having manners and consideration for others. Something that teenagers all need to learn. Some of the attitudes on this thread are quite shocking!

Yanbu op. Get some treats for yourself and whatever it is you buy for your toddler. Lock them away where the teenagers can't get them. Tell them there will be no more treats until they can learn to show some consideration.

Nobody needs sweets, biscuits, cake etc. They won't die without it.

@lethaldrizzle But why would you give your dc your food? Surely they have their own food? They don't need yours? I'm pregnant atm and last week a friend made a comment about how I won't be able to have food to myself again for at least 16 years. I was a bit tbh. I never took my parents food as a child (my dm confirmed this for me, not just wishful thinking on my part) I was taught as a child it was rude to take other people's food unless they offered it to me.

I do agree about modelling good food attitudes though. My dm is a terrible biscuit binger and it's taken me years to overcome my own tendencies to do the same. In fact I still can't really have biscuits in the house

when her kids were teens, she bought them each their own treats/snacks to be kept in their rooms, and when they were gone they were gone

Good approach, I think

Isthismummy - I'm talking about snacks and stuff not meals. To be fair I always offer or give them the snack/drink first anyway. Kids are still growing, i'm not.