Those of you with kids!

[Marigold2]

I have the same problem with my daughter and she is 20. She fills a glass full of juice and then takes it in her room and there it sits 3/4 full. Same with her food. I have tried for years to get her to change. No luck. What I finally do now is not buy any snacks. If she wants some cookies or candies she has to buy them herself. Sorry I am not more helpful. I do feel for you.

[Vela]

Well my kids are now 14, 13, and 11, and from the time they were old enough to ask for anything, they were taught they are not welcome to take whatever they want, they must ask for it. If their chores aren't done they don't get it (not meals of course, but snacks, etc). If they don't finish it, the next time they ask they get told no. If they didn't clean up their mess from it, they get told no. It makes them responsible for whether or not they get snacks. If they eat something sugary for a snack they next day or later that same day they have to eat something better for them. I let them choose from several things on hand, but snacks are not a free for all and sometimes they need to be things like peanut butter and apples or baby carrots, etc. If they get caught stealing the food, yes I consider it stealing, I bought it, they lose snack priveledges for a little while. My kids never go hungry, we aren't on a budget with food to where they will run out of things to eat, but they are responsible for what they take and the mess associated with it. I am more lax on it now that they are older than i used to be, but they still ask, since it's just how it's always been done.

[borzoimom]

My mother never bought " single serving" type containers for this very reason. With 4 kids, she said it would bankrupt them and cheaper to get the big containers. Never had juice boxes for anything but to take to school. That was it.. The other stuff- same thing.. so instead of being taken for granted as a given, these items became " gold..".. She also never bought paper towels- thats another that gets like 5 pulled off when one will do.. etc.. Then there were " by mom's say so only items".. those were things like the mini pizzas etc..
I only had one child- and did the same with juice boxes etc.. They are so much higher in price that I only bought the large containers for household use. Add a ice cube instead of " getting a fresh one" etc.. lol..

[Twisterdog]

My kids do the same thing. I just don't buy that item again for a while. I will bring the half-eaten Lunchable or the can of Pepsi with three sips taken out of it out of their rooms, show it to them, and say "No more Pepsi for a month." I even keep a list, that clearly shows food that we no longer buy.

I am, officially, "the meanest mom in the world", BTW ... but it works. Well, it works to some degree. They relapse again, and again. But it's better than nothing.

[critter crazy]

well hubby and I sat down last night and discussed the issue. We have decided that we are just no longer going to buys snacks for the kids. From now on, since I am home all day, i will put together wholesome snacks, in single serve tupperware containers. They are only allowed to have one, and if it is not finished, then the lid goes back on, and they get the same one the next time. I will be buying, bulk juices and such, no more juice boxes. Plastic cups and an ice cube will have to do! as well as water and Milk. No soda! I will have soda in the house, but it will be off limits! for mommy, and daddy, or company, and maybe only as a special treat with our permission only. Lunch box items, will only be used for that! Snacks will consist of Veggies, fruits, and homemade goodies. The kids are now going to be given chores. These chores must be completed daily. These chores will consist of cleaning bedrooms, making beds, and various small tasks. As is the rule now, all homework must be completed as soon as they are home from school. there are now going to be time limits on TV, and video games. Snacks are only to be eaten in the kitchen, at the table. No sneaking into bedrooms or Living room. same with all drinks. I am in the process of putting together achart with schedules, and the above mentioned new rules. I hope this works! I know it will take some time to get used to, but it has to be done. Things are just out of control. Thank you all for your Advise! and thank you all for letting me vent!

If you have any suggestions, to my above statements, and rules, please feel free to comment! I am always open to suggestions!

[borzoimom]

Paper cups have a way of being used for everything but the drinks- lol. My mother had colored plastic cups, and that was basically yours for the afternoon.. 4 Cups verses like 20 paper cups..