5 year old secret eating?!

[Frozenheart]

My lovely 5 year old DD has always been a very good eater ever since she was weaned.
The last couple of months, I have come downstairs to find my fridge and cupboards raided. All of this is being eaten before I wake up in the mornings.
Yesterday, her morning raid consisted of:

6x small petits filos yoghurts, 1x dairylea dunker, 1x apple and 1x satsuma.

This morning, she ate 6x more small yogurts, 1x packet of wotsits and 3x plain tortilla wraps

We always make sure we have filling, healthy meals during the day, but the words ”im still hungry still come out after finishing her meals and when we put her to bed!
In reception class last year, she was weighed and measured and it later came back to us that she is overweight. This wasn’t a surprise to us, as she has always been ahead of ages in clothes for her age. and her dad and I aren’t the slimmest of people!

So my main question is, would any see this as a cause for concern and to contact the gp? Is there anything we could change?

Bowl of cereal/slice of toast & milk before bed?
Either get up with her or leave food out for her
She could be bored so is eating, she could be doing it for attention.
Either/or I'd be getting up with her and make her breakfast

Im sorry but your reply is far from being reassuring- why would you tidy rather than go down to her??? No offense meant I am just honestly unable to figure out a morning that doesnt start with your kids?

@Bluntness100

Good luck. I also agree with the poster who says you just need to get stuff like Petits filous and wotsits out of the house

But then what will she eat? She’s five and hungry and unsupervised for hours.

I was thinking about this. What about a wholemeal sandwich? It can be made the night before, put in a little lunchbox in the fridge along with some small tomatoes or similar? Mine like boiled eggs sliced (and squished, urgh!) - or cheese and cucumber.

OP, I would make a lunchbox of breakfast stuff that your little one can take out of the fridge and settle down to eat by herself.

I don't think 5 is too young to be by themselves for a bit, she knows where her mum and dad are.

Hungry675tf's post resonated with me as my homelife was a bit chaotic as a child and it was difficult.

I don't see why some posters have to be so nasty when someone asks for some help but, it is always the same ones who can't resist putting the boot in. Ignore them.

Op,you need to be present and attentive when dd is awake.change your routine . No long lie-in with young kids I’m afraid.
Set good habits of making her breakfast and eating it with her. Kids like routine she’ll adapt really quickly if you praise & reinforce good behaviour
Increase your activity level as a family

[quote Frozenheart]@Orangejuicemarathoner she is always left out some fruit in the mornings.[/quote]
ok, again.

You are not hearing what is being said to you

You need to be up with her, supervising her and feeding her

You need to be up with her, supervising her and feeding her

You need to be up with her, supervising her and feeding her

how many times does it need to be said?

And I will say this again too

If she mentions this at school you will find it triggers a safeguarding investigation.

Because it is neglect.

You are a parent
You are supposed to be parenting
Not lying in bed while your child runs around unsupervised, stuffing her face with rubbish

What don't you get?

N

Winemewhynot whatever your problem is, stop lashing out at the OP and being so spiteful.

@Thefaceofboe

‘Serious neglect’ WOW

Google serious neglect cases and give your head a shake. The situation isn’t ideal but honestly

I am involved in safeguarding

This is a safeguarding issue

This is neglect

There are no if or buts or discussion to have about this. A 5 year old child is unsupervised for 2 hours.

@Winemewhynot
I have reported you, you vile bully. You either a pisshead or unstable. Feel sorry for ya you absolute mess.

Sorry for the Holier than thou posts OP. My mum worked 14 hour shifts as a nurse and at 5 I probably spend an hour or 2 downstairs in the morning. Lots of people I know do this or get up and doze on the couch. I'm sure you would have drilled it in to her not to do certain things and when to shout in an emergency. I also think throw the good stuff out or fridge locks. Say that you need to watch the pennies and make it not weight related. Also drill in to your daughter the importance of moderation and maybe introduce a small but healthy supper. Maybe little and often eating might work better for her than three big meals. It's a minefield I would ask to be put in touch with a dietician and take it from there. I know your trying to do the best by your child sorry for the attack on here. Goodluck OP

Can you make some 'healthy' treats with her (or at least healthier treats)? Chocolate avocado cupcakes, veggie muffins, oaty bars, that sort of thing. My DC loves baking these things and then we can snack on them for the next few days.

Why not give her a light breakfast early on (porridge, peanut butter toast or something) and then cook brunch as a family around 11.30/12. There's lots of healthy brunch options which kids love. My DC's favourite is sweet potato waffles but we've recently bought a mini doughnut maker so we've been experimenting with different combos of fruit and veggie doughnuts. Then you can treat that as lunch for the day and get out and do something.

@Carboncheque

I’d be worried that a 5 year old is downstairs unsupervised for long enough to eat all that while you’re still in bed.

My first thought too. My DC is older then this and whilst she is allowed to get up and read in her room, she’s not allowed to come downstairs, unless it’s with me or DH. Notwithstanding, I relate to having to manage my child’s enormous appetite. She can have as much fruit as she likes during the day, but she can’t eat crap for breakfast! She has cereal or porridge.

I think 6x small petits filos yoghurts is actually naughty. There are other people in the house too!

I used to do this as a child - I was not hungry - I was anxious, insecure and lonely - it was an emotional thing. Never really left me 40 years later. I am slim but still issues with food - erratic/disordered sometimes overeat sometimes undereat - definitely a comfort/control thing.

[quote Frozenheart]@nomoneytreehere is there really any need to add ‘ffs’ st the end of that?[/quote]
Yes there is a need for that. You need to get up with your child. What is the matter with you? You don't let a 5 year old roam around unsupervised ffs. If anybody you are doing this, it is NOT ok

I’m with @LyingWitchInTheWardrobe it’s not ideal she’s getting up herself obviously…but in no way shape or form does this make you a bad mum. The “packed lunch” to take to bed idea x

Winemewhynot her HV knows she is a much loved child thanks

Everyone loves their DC OP. Unfortunately not everyone is able to meet their children's needs. If they could they'd be no kids in care.

I'm not saying that your DD is at risk of going into care, of course I'm not but just saying that you love her doesn't mean that you're meeting all of her needs.

Have a break from the thread. Have a talk with your DH, maybe show him the comments abs suggestion on here, and decide what you're going to do differently at the weekends to benefit your DD.

Yes,It is a safeguarding issue yes, it is in category neglect.op isn’t attending to basic needs and it’s impacting upon health & wellbeing eg child overweight
It’s not serious neglect or meeting Child in need threshold nonetheless it is poor parenting and needs to be addressed. The positives are it is a really simple fix eg change your routine . Small changes for maximum outcome change

Either get up when she does and get her breakfast or put a lock on the kitchen door.

We have a lock, I have a child with autism that would eat non stop if I let her, she’s awake at 4am every day 🤣.

We’ve always got up with our dc at that age and made their breakfast. If we left them to their own devices they would make bad choices too, they’re just too young and need our help. There will be a time when your child can get up and get their own food and you can lie in, but not for another couple of years. Leaving fruit out isn’t enough, you need to be there with her.

OP what had the HV said about the issue though, of course you love you daughter, but this issue needs addressing as she is already at a higher risk of being overweight in her adult life, it's good you are asking for help.

So yes you keep saying she is always saying she is hungry, but if you can be around to stop one daily massive binge on unhealthy food that's got to help
is she drinking enough water ?
Does she have supper before bed ?
Have you tried slow releasing carbs like porridge first thing ?

What is a days diet plan for her ? What times is she eating, how much is eating and what is she eating .

But, if shes 5 and you dont get up until 8.30, how does school work? Does she get herself ready for school too as well as feed herself?

OP if it makes you feel any better, I let my 7 year old down on her own for an hour or so to watch tv. I’m asleep up stairs. No she doesn’t eat anything as she’s not much of an eater in the morning, but people are being very judgemental on the fact that you let her down to watch tv. If you’re worried about her eating having just clear the house of junk food or tell her she can’t eat anything until you get up.

[quote Frozenheart]@Winemewhynot her HV knows she is a much loved child thanks.[/quote]
Your HV might feel differently if she knew your 5 year old was left to her own devices for over 2 hours every weekend morning.
Or that you didn't understand that 14 hours between meals will make any child hungry.

It's not just the safety aspect. You are failing to teach her a healthy routine. Kicking off at other posters doesn't cancel that fact out.
The poor kid is bored & lonely, & is learning that junk food is the way to assuage those feelings.

You've had some great advice on your thread.
Please take it, & demonstrate your love to your child by getting up with her, & teaching her that a nutritious breakfast with mummy is fun, comforting, & sets her tummy up for the day so she feels less hungry.

Oh and what do you and your DH snack on ? They do learn behaviours from our actions.