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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let my 8 year old have a snack supply in her room?

185 replies

jilllanguage · 11/02/2022 20:06

My DD is 8 and a couple weeks ago she asked if she could have a snack supply in her bedroom. I said yes but she still needed to ask if she was going to have any out of it. It's unhealthy snacks, mainly chocolate I admit.

She's had it a few weeks and most of it is still there. The bits she's had she has asked me and I've said it's fine. She likes to set it up all nice and just know it's there more than anything I think.

When she told her dad though he phoned me saying there is no need for it and it's encouraging bad eating habits. He thinks she's too obsessional with food as it is at my house. I suppose he does have a point. She is always thinking about what she'll eat next.

However, she's not overweight at all, she's very active, she eats her vegetables (fruit not as keen on), she will leave breakfast/lunch/dinner/dessert/yogurt etc on her plate so she knows when she is full, in fact she never finishes a full meal to be honest.

I don't see a problem with the snack box, if she was eating it without permission etc then I'd take it away but she's not.

AIBU?

OP posts:
CoffeeWithCheese · 11/02/2022 21:14

Mine I'd say no to on it - because I know that DD1 would eat too much and throw up, and DD2 would eat half of something and get distracted and I'd find it in 3 months time gone furry and almost walking out of the room.
You obviously have more civilised kids than the pair of heathens I'm raising.

Midlifemusings · 11/02/2022 21:15

Give her a treat box in the kitchen that is hers.

Keeping a box of unhealthy food beside the bed to eat day or night isn't a great idea.

You can give control without instilling bad habits.

daisypond · 11/02/2022 21:17

Absolutely not. Why would she need a box of snacks in her room? Keep snacks in the kitchen.

tothemoonandbackbuses · 11/02/2022 21:18

It sounds like she’s got great self control. The stash, wrappers/packaging, laying them out nicely all seem to appeal more to her than eating the snacks. I would leave her to it.
The only thing you may have to worry about is when she wants really expensive chocolates for display!

Chichimcgee · 11/02/2022 21:18

Is this more because of the tiktok trend for organising snacks prettily?
Seems a bit pointless to me but not bad necessarily

catchingzzzeds · 11/02/2022 21:19

@OnlyFoolsnMothers I may have been lucky but it has honestly never been a problem. Consistent mealtimes and neither of them having big appetites has probably helped.
They still have loads of Christmas treats left and both occasionally dip in. Maybe it's because they have an overweight mother Blush

TheCountessOfGrantham · 11/02/2022 21:21

We have snack boxes at my house. They're all in the cupboard. They get filled up for a week and if they're all eaten in two days, boo hoo.

Weekendssuck · 11/02/2022 21:24

It’s a no from me just because it seems pointless. I wouldn’t want them eating in bedrooms so no point having things up there they just need to bring down to eat.

whynotwhatknot · 11/02/2022 21:26

Dont really see the point and are you sure she has had the same chocolate there for weeks?

RedCandyApple · 11/02/2022 21:27

@Chichimcgee

Is this more because of the tiktok trend for organising snacks prettily? Seems a bit pointless to me but not bad necessarily
Hope not but then i think 8 year olds having tiktok is worse than snacks in their room! (Though I wouldn’t allow either)
DiddyHeck · 11/02/2022 21:31

@jilllanguage

My DD is 8 and a couple weeks ago she asked if she could have a snack supply in her bedroom. I said yes but she still needed to ask if she was going to have any out of it. It's unhealthy snacks, mainly chocolate I admit.

She's had it a few weeks and most of it is still there. The bits she's had she has asked me and I've said it's fine. She likes to set it up all nice and just know it's there more than anything I think.

When she told her dad though he phoned me saying there is no need for it and it's encouraging bad eating habits. He thinks she's too obsessional with food as it is at my house. I suppose he does have a point. She is always thinking about what she'll eat next.

However, she's not overweight at all, she's very active, she eats her vegetables (fruit not as keen on), she will leave breakfast/lunch/dinner/dessert/yogurt etc on her plate so she knows when she is full, in fact she never finishes a full meal to be honest.

I don't see a problem with the snack box, if she was eating it without permission etc then I'd take it away but she's not.

AIBU?

She likes to set it up all nice and just know it's there more than anything I think.

I don't like the idea of that when it comes to food. It may or may not be slightly obsessive but only time will tell I guess.

Is there anyone else in the house who is likely to just help themselves to her chocolate? Could this be why she feels the need to hoard it in her bedroom?

Chichimcgee · 11/02/2022 21:32

@RedCandyApple I agree but know of several children with tiktok and social media unfortunately

drpet49 · 11/02/2022 21:33

* I don’t like the idea of snacks in a bedroom. I don’t mind the idea if snacks for a specific person in the kitchen but I don’t like food to not be in the kitchen.*

^I agree. Not necessary at all for a 8 year old.

PottersParties · 11/02/2022 21:35

Could you perhaps move the snacks downstairs (choking story was terrifying) but get her a nice tray for her to arrange other belongings? It’s adorable to see them so proud of their rooms and belongings isn’t it. My 7yo has a ‘fancy’ tray (thanks home bargains) with hand mirror, brush, clips, toy earrings she got off a magazine and a packet of tissues - she’s very proud of it Grin and offers her friends a ‘style’ when they come over. She came up with it herself - perhaps having a scatty mother who loses brushes and clips was the motivation Wink

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 11/02/2022 21:36

My 8 yo knows where the snack drawer is in the kitchen but I don’t let him keep a supply in his room, except after Christmas with his stocking chocolates etc

My 13 can keep stuff she’s bought for herself or that was given to her in there - 8 yo with have them otherwise!

YummyOxyMummy · 11/02/2022 21:38

After Oxford when I was preggers with my DD I though about this question deeply. I decided ultimately to get a mini fridge for DD when she reached the age of five. I stock it with Yorkie and Coke. I am preparing her for later in life. Thanks for the question to question.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 11/02/2022 21:39

its all very cute but it is absolutely a no from me

she is 8

not yet

ChipButtyCurrySauce · 11/02/2022 21:41

My 10yo DS has had snacks in his room for maybe 3 years. He'd got given so much in the way of treats for Christmas/Easter etc he just put them in his bedroom drawer. He's always been really good with them....to the point some stuff went out of date! He's not a big sweet eater so can be trusted not to scoff them all over night.

Couldn't have let me older 2 have stuff in their rooms though. It wouldn't have lasted the night!

wheresmyshoe · 11/02/2022 21:46

I created my own with pocket money. I had those mini drink cans, a selection of crisps and chocolate. I liked it as I could entertain friends. I didn't choke or encourage vermin, it was simply a device to be hospitable. A future predictor of being an excellent host now, I still love entertaining.

Yotrotro · 11/02/2022 21:51

Is she underweight? The control around food, constantly thinking about what to eat etc and not finishing meals sounds a bit odd to me. Could she have an eating disorder or something else like anxiety or OCD?

Original poster
jilllanguage · 11/02/2022 21:51

@Chichimcgee

Is this more because of the tiktok trend for organising snacks prettily? Seems a bit pointless to me but not bad necessarily
She doesn't watch Tik tok and I never knew that was a thing. Maybe heard it from friends at school though!
OP posts:
Original poster
jilllanguage · 11/02/2022 21:55

@whynotwhatknot

Dont really see the point and are you sure she has had the same chocolate there for weeks?
Positive
OP posts:
Original poster
jilllanguage · 11/02/2022 21:58

@Yotrotro

Is she underweight? The control around food, constantly thinking about what to eat etc and not finishing meals sounds a bit odd to me. Could she have an eating disorder or something else like anxiety or OCD?
Not underweight, perfect weight for her height. Definitely no deeper issues at play.
OP posts:
BuddhaForMary · 11/02/2022 22:02

@wheresmyshoe

I created my own with pocket money. I had those mini drink cans, a selection of crisps and chocolate. I liked it as I could entertain friends. I didn't choke or encourage vermin, it was simply a device to be hospitable. A future predictor of being an excellent host now, I still love entertaining.
This is lovely Smile
RedCandyApple · 11/02/2022 22:02

Why does she need to have them in her room if she’s not eating them?