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Original poster

So do you lot all let your kids help themselves to whatever they like, whenever they like, from the kitchen then?

100 replies

Enid · 30/01/2007 11:07

Am I alone in expecting my children (7, 4 and negligible) to ask before getting a snack?

(other than fruit bowl which they take stuff from whenever)

OP posts:
FluffyMummy123 · 30/01/2007 11:31

Message withdrawn

jampot · 30/01/2007 11:31

catch it with their hands NOT their mouths by the way

TeeCee · 30/01/2007 11:31

The egg thing was funny but we had to take it in turns to leave the room to laugh!

She's done the same thing when we staying somewhere once with a bowl of left over spagetti bolognase.

Tortington · 30/01/2007 11:33

sandwich or cereal when they get home.

tea

whatever you want - as long as you ate tea.

Original poster
Enid · 30/01/2007 11:33

a) dd2? yes she is doing well with those books - she seems to read them easily and sounds out words she doesnt know BUT she dose have amazing memory so could be memorising them
dd1 bless her she is really coming on (tutor)
b)have shelved dogs after cupcakes fab post on that thread
c)hate my immediate neighbours but it is all good, helps me to learn stuff about myself. I negotiate the mud by driving everywhere. Hence I cuold really do with dropping 5 pounds

OP posts:
Oati · 30/01/2007 11:33

mine always ask - I think it's because they expect me to leap up and get it for them - am training ds1 (7) to help himself

scatterbrain · 30/01/2007 11:34

But actually hardly anyone said they did let their kids snack freely without asking - what some of us said was that they objected to this concept of "kids stealing food" way of thinking !

My dd asks - she is 6 - and if it's coming up to mealtimes I say No. She has had a "snacks tin" which is filled with variosu things like raisin boxes, mini choccy bars, those yoghourt covered fruit flake things and various other bits and bobs - if I say Yes then she can choose something from the tin !

Occasionally she takes one without asking - but usually leaves the wrapper out - I would never accuse her of stealing food in our own home !

If she's hungry she's hungry - she's a child she's growing !

I'm trying to pick my battles at the moment - and food is just not on my A list !

Tortington · 30/01/2007 11:35

i dont see why you would have to ask.

i really dont.

with the basic rules - if i made tea its disrespectufl of my time not to eat it.

with that in mind. why would i monitor my kids food intake?

Original poster
Enid · 30/01/2007 11:35

yours are older though custardo

OP posts:
Tortington · 30/01/2007 11:35

i think the premise of asking is preposterous.

ffs my kids were making some of it at 8

FluffyMummy123 · 30/01/2007 11:36

Message withdrawn

SpookyMadMummy · 30/01/2007 11:37

I expect mine to ask. Dd1 has SN so shes banned from the kitchen... due to her setting fire to it 18 months ago and Dd2 will follow her wherever she goes..
so here, they both ask! (5 and 2 1/2)

SodWork · 30/01/2007 11:37

Mine have to ask. They are all 6 or under.

Original poster
Enid · 30/01/2007 11:37

big difference between making stuff to eat at 8 (mine make cakes and they are 7 and 4) and taking stuff without asking when they know (in the others threads case) tehy are not supposed to

OP posts:
Tortington · 30/01/2007 11:37

when they were little - they couldnt reach.

i wouldn't allow them in kitchen for safety reasons.

this has slanted towards the 8 year old - other thread.

i can still contribute. my memory isnt fucked.

NadineBaggott · 30/01/2007 11:38

No, always have to ask

itsmeNDP · 30/01/2007 11:39

Drinks, yes.

Food, no.

Kids are 14.5, 13 and 4. The older kids would just eat shite 'til the cows come home of left to it.

jampot · 30/01/2007 11:39

mine are nearly 14 and 10 - they still ask

Oati · 30/01/2007 11:40

TBH I have more trouble trying to get my kids to eat than trying to stop them

I am longing for the day that my skinny, fussy ds1 starts to eat me out of house and home

biscuitlover · 30/01/2007 11:41

Perhaps the word 'stealing' was a bit strong but in my mind if you take something without asking it is stealing or pinching or just downright sneaky. Just a few words such as 'I'm just getting a snack' can avoid a lot of issues cropping up.

Original poster
Enid · 30/01/2007 11:41

surely not 'preposterous' to ask?

OP posts:
Lorina · 30/01/2007 11:42

My kids have always been able to have what they want as long as they eat their main meals.

Both teenagers now ,both lovely athletic figures.

I think its shocking that a child should be made to ask for fruit.

Blu · 30/01/2007 11:43

DS is 5 so needs help and supervision ...but by 8 I will be happy to let him help himself to bread, cheese, cheese biscuits, fruit, obvious snack foods, a bowl of cereal etc. Just like DP and I do. I will ask - and expect - him to do it tidyly, not leave packets open, dirty pots out etc.

Frizbe · 30/01/2007 11:43

Not at all! I trust ss (8) to get his own snacks now, as he'll go for the healthy option, but if I left dd1 (3) to it she'd eat all the chocs n crisps in the world!

scatterbrain · 30/01/2007 11:44

I think in summary - polite to ask, desirable to ask but not stealing if they don't ?