My child is a greedy pig. Is it my fault?

[Paddingtonjuice]

My 10 year old child is eating us out of house and home. I have always had a relaxed attitude to food but think I need to rethink now. 12 year old is great, just has his meals plus 1 bag of crisps per day, 1 penguin, plenty of fruit. Today 10 year old has eaten cereal for breakfast, tuns sandwich for lunch. Sausage, mash and vegetables for tea. Then while I have not been watching, 2 bags of monster munch, 4 lollipops that I had saved for Halloween, 3 ice lollies, 1 entire punnet of strawberries, 2 trios, 2 sausage rolls. 2 apples. About 6 crackers with butter. Then went to bed complaining they were hungry. This is not normal is it? They are actually skinny. Am I right in thinking they will overweight be soon if I don’t stop this?

I think allowing child free reign to "treats" is ridiculous. Either stop buying so much crap or teach child concept of sharing however, definitely go for the former - in the short term - whilst embedding less selfish behaviors.

My son (now 12 nearly13 and taller than me) used to go through growth spurts (still does) from 10 where he would ear tons....6 wheatabix for breakfast or cereal followed by 2 eggs on toast etc and onwards through the day. He is also skinny. We jist tried to feed more protein and let him guide his appetite. (I always say - if you are hungry at school and your packed lunch isn't enough I am happy to send you with 2 sandwiches or wraps.....I don't think he's ever really asked....but while he can buy snacks at school I want those to be more a few a week than all the time).

My daughter is 10 and today I was amazed by what she ate compared to our activity levels.....this post has just reminded me she is probably about to have a growth spurt too....better make sure she is well fed today.

I’d tend to agree that that’s a lot of junk. Just stop buying it as much, or stash it.

I’m guessing here, so may be wrong; but it sounds like you have been in the house for most of the day and haven’t been paying much attention to what the child is doing to allow them to eat that much junk food unnoticed.

It sounds like the child was boredom eating. Children don’t eat like this at school or if playing outside because they don’t have the access to the food. If a child sitting around the house doesn’t know how to fill time, nipping to the kitchen to source a tasty snack, particularly one that is fatty or sugary, will solve that problem.

Many adults struggle with overeating when bored, it’s important that this habit isn’t allowed to set in. Replace junk food with healthy snack options and encourage your child to do something positive with their free time so that they are not thinking about eating unless they are genuinely hungry.

growth spurt...one day last week DS1 (4.5) came home from school, ate 2 sandwiches an apple a banana and then all his dinner.
Atm you can see all his ribs and he is one of the tallest in reception even though he's a summer born. He gets sore legs too.

I just let him eat as much as he likes at meal times as long as its food rather than sweets/crisps (I count after school as a meal, its 'merenda' in Italy)

He's growing, it's not unusual for kids to be always 'hungry'. Boys are the worst. Sometimes when they are skinny, you don't know where they put it! Mine was like that, also had knee pain from time to time, but it does settle down.

You do seem to have a lot of junk food in the house, no offence meant but I had to look up 'Monster Munch'. Try to have less. He will still raid the cupboards and fridge but will have to settle for more healthy snacks. Bigger meals with different things to eat on the plate too which take longer to eat and digest will fill up for longer.

I wouldn't worry though, he'll outgrow this phase.

You're setting your children up for eating disorders with the term greedy pig. The word greedy alone can really affect children. I remember eating a yogurt as a child and my mother saying how I'll get fat if I was going to be so greedy. It's just one example but it really stuck with me and i still don't like eating in front of anyone. I don't eat all day at work for fear of comments.

@Mytimetokillandmaim

It's not greed if he's not overweight this isn't true. Of course you can be greedy but not overweight

You beat me to it. What a stupid thing to say. A skinny person and an overweight person can both be equally greedy, the size of them makes no difference to their greed.

Horrible way to describe your child. It’s up to you to ensure your children have a healthy diet (when they’re at home at least)
Instead of allowing crisps and chocolate everyday replace with more veg, nuts, eggs, peanut butter etc. Maybe bigger portions at mealtimes?

Personally, I’d stop buying crisps snd chocolate bars and stop giving unchecked access to all of it.

What is a "lunchtime chocolate biscuit"?

It's not essential to eat stuff like this.

Give more substantial meals. Add fruit/veg and protein to meals and give a substantial snack so it’s more like a mini meal.

My friend’s son was like this. Turns out he was diabetic.

Maybe de-worm too

Nasty way to talk about your kid. You'll give them an eatting disorder if you make this known to them.

To me your child sounds like they need to be dewormed.
The meals sound fine but the junk in between and the constant craving for it sounds like they need to be dewormed.
And please dont refer to your child like that even if it's a joke. It can be very hurtful.

You need to reduce the junk available. It’s fine to eat if they’re hungry but tonnes of junk is obviously terrible for them.

I agree with other PP saying this is a horrible, negative way to talk about your child.

You are clearing providing junk rather than wholesome and satisfying foods, more protein and bigger portions at meal times. Ditch the sugary snacks and crisps and provide more nutritious and filling snacks like cheese, boiled eggs, chicken bits, nuts, peanut butter on toast, etc.

I don't want to sound harsh but my word I really am taken aback by the way you describe your child and then back that up by admitting you have so much junk available to them.

Funny how OP doesn't come back to address the criticism. What a despicable way to talk about your child.

How much are they drinking?

Being relaxed around food is one thing but you do need to teach portion control. So one bag of crisps, one chocolate penguin etc. Make sure the main meals are filling. Which cereal? Porridge is filling. Beans are filling.

@Saz12

You’re SKINNY child has a big appetite and you think you should give them less food in case they start gaining weight?

Do you mean “skinny” or “healthy weight”? And by “greedy pig” I’m guessing you just mean “hungry and snacking on the tasty, easily available junk”..... Your post does make it sound like you’ve an issue with food.

Breakfast - maybe cereal AND toast (ie not just cereal). I guess ideally boiled egg or similar protein.

Lunch - tuna sandwich(es) AND fruit, yoghurt, veg sticks.

Snack - fruit, nuts, hummus, cheese, yoghurt, bagel, toast...

Dinner - a bigger portion!

This.

I also wonder if the 10yo has s a girl? I’ve met some mothers who accept that their sons are hungry but not their daughters.

Crisps and chocolate daily? Wow.

My kids have crisps and chocolate daily. I don’t think it’s unusual.

@SweetAlmondOil

Crisps and chocolate daily? Wow.

If that shocks you, you live a very sheltered life!