Parenting Forums

Posted: 26 July 2007 at 7:02pm | IP Logged

Hiya All,

My kids have taken to pinching food out of the kitchen.
I've just popped upstairs to switch the boiler on, and all 4 of them are sitting on my bed eating fruit!!
And not just one piece each... they have the whole bag of apples, pears, banana's and strawberries.
I know they are not hungry, as we only had dinner an hour ago and they had a yoghurt each for pudding.
Its not just tonight they have done it.
Every time we go shopping, i dread waking up in the morning and finding out what they have helped themselves to.
We went shopping last night and as we go monthy, the cupboards are absolutey over-flowing with stuff, so sometimes the only way i notice is by the packets or leftovers i find in their rooms when tidying up as they are so sneaky about it!
Other than keeping the kitchen door constantly locked, i have no idea how to stop them doing it as i cant have my beady eye on all of them 24/7.
I've explained to them that if they are still hungry, to ask me for something, and I've told them off when i catch them doing it, but nothing is getting through and there all old enough now to be able to understand.
I need some advice or suggestions please, because its getting beyond a joke now.
Thanks girls
x-x-x

Posted: 26 July 2007 at 8:29pm | IP Logged

i have the same prob with seans two boys,we have them on a weekend and im a childminder and when they come i constantly find packets stashed here and there,im not tight by any means and if they ask for something ill let them have it,unless ofcorse there is a good reason,ie there isnt enough for everybody or its a meal time soon,i have caught the older of the two filling his pockets with biscuits,fruit,crisps,anything he can...

it annoys me because it makes me feel like im being an evil step mum and not letting them have anything its good to know im not alone...i do feel it is stealing,i go shopping weekly and buy what i need,for the kids i look after not just for us....i feel bad saying owt tho like i say,i dont want em to think theyre not welcome her or whatever but i dont let bronia just take what she wants either...

i have said to the eldest it is stealing and if he asks me he can have it but if i catch them again i will prob explain that i buy what i need and budget for the children i look after and it has a bigger effect than thay may think.

xxx

Posted: 27 July 2007 at 7:46am | IP Logged

could you have a list in the kitchen of stuff they can take if hungry only at certain times of the day?

they could sign it when they take a piece-youll see whos eating more then too

perhaps they all have worms! 

eating upstairs or on beds isnt too nice either