Need GD advice...

[rmzbm]

I am totally at a loss here, need input/suggestions. My 4 yr. old DD constantly gets into the fridge. CONSTANTLY. She takes food out & makes a HUGE mess both in and out of the fridge. I am at the end of my rope with this & yelled at her. What can I do about this? DH says we should put a lock on the fridge, I don't know if I like that idea though. Please tell me I don't just have to grin & bear it. It is making me loopy! :
Any input would be VERY welcome!
TIA!
~M

[BellinghamCrunchie]

What kind of messes is she making? If she is trying to make sandwiches or trying to prepare some kind of food for herself, would it be possible to kind of "pre-prepare" the foods she will be using so they are easier (and less messy)? Like, maybe put things like mayonnaise and mustard in tiny tubs, pre-slice some cheese, etc.

Would it help her to have a shelf or part of a shelf of her own, where there are several foods she could access by herself, so that she could get whatever it is she is needing out of the frig by herself? Then direct her to her shelf when she opens the frig.

If she is just making messes because they are fun to make (crunching the eggs or whatever) maybe a frig lock is a good idea. When she wants to access the frig then you could just unlock it for her when you are able to be there to supervise.

If making a mess is what she likes, maybe she could make other messes in more controlled situations at other times, like playing with shaving cream on the table, cornstarch and water, making volcanos by mixing vinegar and baking soda, fingerpainting, etc to meet her need for sensory stimulation if that is what she is after.

[rmzbm]

Thanks BC! Sometimes when you're frustrated it's very simple to someone else! Very good suggestions...thank you, thank you!

Mostly what annoys me is she will go get something, then take it...eat...leave 1/2 on the counter, put more back randomly in the fridge, leave some more on the living room floor...

We tried the "we only eat at the table" route...that was a big joke! :

[georgia]

We've gone through several fridge challenges....with several different refrigerators. Is it possible to have the bottom shelves hold only the stuff you're fine w/her getting out? Some baby carrots, celery, etc...not such messy stuff? I recently went through the shelf scaler...my 2 yo going all the way up to the highest shelves : so I understand about fridge frustration

[peacelovingmama]

Could you maybe reserve 1 shelf/portion of a shelf or drawer for her and stock it with healthy, non-messy foods? We haven't encountered this issue (yet!) but it does sound frustrating.

[rmzbm]

Thanks, guys!
Good ideas...I am going to do some sorting today & give her one of the "bins" on the bottom, just for her. I think she will really like that idea.
I think the part that was really POing me though was that she takes the food everywhere, I find it all over the house, it's gross! :Puke
At our old house I put a gate up at the kitchen door which was nice - at this house though I can't as the kitchen is wide open, no real "doorway."
Uggh, this too shall pass...it just may take several years & many lost sandwiches. :

[georgia]

I once found a I-don't-know-how-old hardboiled egg under the sofa. I'm not much of a cleaner : And then, there was the ever pleasant surprise of the mashed banana under my pillow

[TinkerBelle]

I have a lock on my fridge, because I have a 7 yr old child with Autism that will eat until he pukes if I don't give him easy access to the food.

I see nothing wrong with a fridge lock at all.

[rmzbm]

Originally Posted by georgia

I once found a I-don't-know-how-old hardboiled egg under the sofa. I'm not much of a cleaner : And then, there was the ever pleasant surprise of the mashed banana under my pillow

Funny you say that as banana is the #1 food that I do find...

[rmzbm]

Originally Posted by TinkerBelle

I have a lock on my fridge, because I have a 7 yr old child with Autism that will eat until he pukes if I don't give him easy access to the food.

I see nothing wrong with a fridge lock at all.

The only issue that I do have with the lock is that I have an 8 yr. old son & a about to turn 7 yr. old son who are neat & I don't feel should have to always have to ask to get into the fridge. Seems like too much work. I guess maybe I'm just lazy. I just don't like the idea of them not having freedom to just open the door whenever.
I guess I just can't have it both ways.
I did ask her what she thinks I should do about this & her suggestion is "just leave me alone."
I'll probably just take her advice!