what would you have done?

[justice'smom]

My neighbor gave us a bunch of junk food that I would never let my kids eat. My husband decided he wanted to keep it for himself which was fine with me. It's his body you know? Anyway, I left it on the counter over night and when my 5 and 3 yr. olds woke up the next morning they ate some of it. My bad because I left it out. Well, I then put it in a cabinet and told them they couldn't have it and why. So, the next day they came downstairs and got into the cabinet and ate more of it. So, I then told them they could no longer come downstairs by themselves and they couldn't get into the cabinets. Which by the way are childproofed, but they have figured out how to get into them. So, the next day as I was napping with my 7 month old and they were supposed to be napping in the other room with daddy downstairs, they did it again. Apparently daddy had left. Anyway, that time they ate everything that was there. I am embarrased to say what I did, but I am curious what you would have done. Looking at it now I should have put it up high somewhere, but other than that what would you have done? In my mind it was very defiant. I have no dought in my mind that my 5 yr old was the master mind of it all.

[Eherrera329]

Well I definitely would have learned my lesson and put it up somewhere high. But five years old is old enough to understand they are not allowed to eat candy and you made that clear. My oldest is two so I haven't had to deal with something like that yet. I agree with you telling them they aren't able to go downstairs by themselves. I think I would probably take one priviledge away like TV time or something like that. or maybe no dessert after dinner because they already had their share of sugar

[Theoretica]

To a child, food is food. Some food tastes better than others. I think by making it 'off limits' it made it more enticing and encouraged the sneaky behaviors. I also think punitive consequences are unnecessary because honestly, the mistake was yours for leaving it accessible to them in the first place. 5yos aren't known for impulse control ykwim?

[phathui5]

I would have laughed hysterically, hopefully where the kids couldn't hear me. I've learned from years of experience that if there's "junk" in the house, the kids will find it and eat it.

[MtBikeLover]

Originally Posted by phathui5

I would have laughed hysterically, hopefully where the kids couldn't hear me.

Same here.

If I have junk in the house that I don't want the kids to eat, it gets put up out of sight, usually in a spot that is not in the kitchen. So, in the situation you posted, if I had left it out by mistake, the next day it would have been hidden really well and I wouldn't have told the kids where it was. I would have just made the snacks disappear.

I am pretty lenient when it comes to food though and let the kids self regulate. If it is in the house, the kids can eat it.

[elmh23]

Originally Posted by Theoretica

To a child, food is food. Some food tastes better than others. I think by making it 'off limits' it made it more enticing and encouraged the sneaky behaviors. I also think punitive consequences are unnecessary because honestly, the mistake was yours for leaving it accessible to them in the first place. 5yos aren't known for impulse control ykwim?

[mamakay]

Originally Posted by phathui5

I would have laughed hysterically, hopefully where the kids couldn't hear me. I've learned from years of experience that if there's "junk" in the house, the kids will find it and eat it.

Yeah. Kids can sense when something's not really a big deal, too.

[Dingletwitz]

As the parent, I'd have to own that one. And then come up with a better way to get the stuff out of the house. But I wouldn't hold the kids responsible for it....it was too tempting.

[ssh]

When my HD wants to get junk food just for himself, he takes it to work. If food is in the house my DD can eat it.

[Latte Mama]

With all the adults that can't resist sweets and junk food I'd hardly expect a 5 year old to be able to do it. I'd chalk it up to my mistake and move on.

[mamazee]

Yeah, I'd own this too. If there is junk food in the house, the kids can't be expected to stay away, especially if they see a parent who is unable to stay away. Either get rid of it, let them have it, or I'd personally probably compromise and say they could keep one thing from the junk food pile and get rid of the rest.

[lonegirl]

LOL
Well...I would learn to put the junk food away right away....
Now they have tasted it...no going back
Tell hubby to take it to the office...or you will toss it.

[SweetPotato]

I agree with everyone else. I totally wouldn't be able to resist it myself, so I definitely think it's a bit much to expect of little ones. (seriously, when we bought halloween candy early, I had to made my husband literally hide it so that I wouldn't know where it was) Next time, don't let them see it. I also think it's kind of unfair to have yummy stuff in the house and say that it's only for daddy-- the only thing in our house that dd can't have is the very occasional alcohol or caffeinated coffee. Treats that are safe are treats for everyone.

[AnnieNimIty]

When my DH wants treats a) he keeps them in his car, or b) he only busts them out after the kiddo is asleep.