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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

DD (13) constantly eating sweets and junk

3 replies

OccamsLadyshave · 20/02/2015 18:19

She's been buying more sweets than I would have liked since she started secondary school. I've been trying to just nicely explain nag that it really isn't good to eat that much sugar, but I'm starting to worry it's getting a bit compulsive.

She is very secretive about what she eats. She hides wrappers in her room. She can't explain where the money comes from.

Today I found a carrier bag in her school bag containing an empty coke bottle and wrappers from a skips packet, large bag of haribo, sherbert thing and fruit pastilles. I know none of it was in her bag yesterday. I also made a point of only giving her £1.75 this morning, as that's what she needs to cover her lunch. Even if she didn't buy any lunch there's no way she could have bought all that.

She's not overweight but isn't as slim as she used to be. She has access to plenty of snacks at home, including things like bagels, mini pancakes etc and she eats healthy meals (although won't eat much breakfast).

She has relatives with diabetes on both sides of the family, and she was aware last year that my brother aged 36 was in hospital and nearly had to have his foot amputated. It scares the hell out of me that he behaved exactly like this as a teen.

I don't know if I should come down hard, such as by checking her bag or refusing to give her any dinner money, just a packed lunch, or just back right off because the more cross I get the more it's like forbidden fruit.

OP posts:
Runnyhunny · 20/02/2015 21:37

If she's actually eating healthy meals then things aren't so bad. It may just be something she'll grow out of. I understand your worry re the diabetes; maybe when you feel she's old enough you could calmly share your concerns? Things could be worse- my dd17 doesn't eat proper meals full stop and ALSO eats junk food. Now that's a headache!

At my ds's school the boys pay for lunch with a debit card which you top up online, the downside bieng that the school has a tuck-shop and they can use the card for that too so i have no control.

I definitely would NOT refuse to give her lunch money- she will undoubtedly be upset and then will attach food to emotion- not a good thing. I would back off whilst explaining the effect the extra junk is having on her body- she may not listen to you now, but one day she will.

26Point2Miles · 20/02/2015 22:54

Well where could it be coming from? A friend? Stealing?

Lucked · 20/02/2015 23:04

Sit her down at a the table with no distractions and ask her to explain exactly where she got them. Don't let her be vague or wriggle out if it. Ask her which shop who she was with etc. if she won't say you will have to ask her about stealing. Could she be taking loose money from around the house?

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