Is it okay to put a lock on the fridge so your kids can't get into it?

Question

My oldest daughter who is three years old has gotten into a bad habbit of being in the fridge all the time. She has started to feel the need to eat something all the time. I am constantly taking food from her and putting it back. I wasn't paying attention yesterday and she ate four yogurts. Would it be okay to lock up the fridge so I can control her eating? She is the perfect size for her age and it would break my heart if she learned to overeat so early and become overweight. I know how hard it is on kids being overweight, I was an overweight kid. I haven't brought it to her attention that if she eats too much she'll get big. I was hoping I could just stop the habbit by not allowing her access to the fridge. Is this okay or is there a better way?

Answer 1

It is more than okay to put a lock on the fridge. Sometimes kids eat just because they can, not because they are hungry. When my daughter was 2, she ate 1-1/2 lbs. of bananas. When kids find something they like to eat, they will eat it. Hungry or not. As far as explaining the overweight thing, I would not. She is only three and would not understand, although she might remember bits and pieces of what you said about being overweight. That could cause issues as she grows older, she might be afraid to eat for fear that she would get fat. Another solution would be to buy less food at a given time. Instead of shopping for two weeks shop for one week or a few days. Always keep veges. like carrots and celery, and fruit, things that are good for her to snack on.

Answer 2

I can't imagine not knowing where & what your 3- yr. old is doing at all times . Nor can I imagine locking the fridge from your child ; but a 3-year old toddler should not be getting food on her own at all . There are many things a 3yr. old can choke and die on . Give her some bananas or other fruit when she needs a snack . I think she seems to have too much alone time on her hands ; or she needs attention . Next time it could be the drano under the sink that she gets in to . By the way , how do you have a conversation about weight , with a three year old toddler ? Let her know that the kitchen is off limits until she is " this tall ".

Answer 3

CPS won't come down on you as long as you have proof she gets the food she needs. Sounds strange but if someone were to report you and your daughter, in a moment of anger, said you locked the fridge and never gave her anything to eat, you get pulled through hell. If another adult in the home or an older child you have no problem. Frankly I think it is a good idea, although punishment for taking food without asking is better. Afterall, she's three years old and does not call the shots. If she continues to "crave" food, document times/days and get her to pediatrician. Is the father in the home? If there is a separation or dad comes and goes with no schedule or she hears her parents fighting often then some kids will compensate with food. Good luck.

Answer 4

My goodness yes! It's perfectly okay. Not only is putting a childproof lock on your fridge keeping your kids safe, it may also help in preparing them for a healthy life. A lot of the time when we think we're hungry when we're not, it's actually our bodies telling us that we're starting to get dehydrated, so if she thinks that she's sort of hungry, but not really, give her some water, I'm not saying starve the poor kid, but if it's not near the normal time that she would eat, get her to have a drink of water and if she's still hungry after that, by all means give her something healthy to eat like fruit or something as an in between meal snack.

Answer 5

I put a lock on my fridge, you can buy some "kid safety" one at Wal-mart or Target. I have a 3 year old son that loves cheese. He would eat a whole block if he could. I would be off cleaning the house and he will go to the fridge and take the cheese out and eat it. It isn't because he is starving, it is because he would rather eat cheese instead of his food. but putting the lock on, he will ask me to open the fridge.

Answer 6

I had a roomate at one time that had 2 kids, and with my 2 kids, they were into EVERYTHING. We had to put a child lock on the fridge. Mainly because they would get into it, and then leave half eaten things everywhere, or leave the door open. We explained to them that if they're hungry, they need to let one of us know so we can get them a snack. They don't just help themselves. We only used the lock for a couple of months and then we took it off. We never had a problem after that. Although it was entertaining to watch them try their hardest to pry the fridge open when we first put it on there.

Answer 7

First of all I think that putting a lock on the fridge is fine. But....secondly if you are only putting it on so she doesnt' get fat, I think you need to rethink that. Maybe she is having a growth spurt. During these time children eat more. If she is hungry, let her eat, as long as the food she is eating is good for her. For example yogurt. If she were getting into the fridge and eating fudge pops I would be concerned.

Answer 8

No, it is your job to pay attention to what your children are doing. It's not her fault she was able to get four yogurts, it's your fault for not being attentive. She's only three, you're supposed to be the adult. I would however be willing to bet that she is heading into a growth spurt. This is the way they grow. They will eat everything in sight for a couple of weeks and then won't want to even look at food. Then you weigh or measure them and they've grown. Putting a lock on the fridge is only another ploy for you not to pay attention.

Answer 9

She could be have a growth spurt. then again some people think food is a comfort zone. So I would lock up the fridge, but i would leave out fruit and healthy foods for her. I would also recommend you to make Shir she works out more. Like playing sports or ruining around with kids her own age. Also I would see a Dr. just to make Shir nothing wrong with her. Like worms that eat your food.

Answer 10

I partially agree with rustygrape: I would be concerned is your daughter were getting into the fridge and eating fudge pops. They would be all melty and nasty in the fridge!!

Okay, more seriously, yes. A three-year-old should not be serving herself out of the fridge at will. My own 3yo won't eat hardly anything, so we usually have the reverse problem...but recently his grandmother took him to a roadside stand and bought him a bag of apples, let him pick them out for himself. Now he will eat 10 apples in a day if we let him. They have to be put up high.

And, contrary to what one respondant said, too much of anything is bad for you. Four yogurts because you were busy and didn't catch it isn't going to kill her, but to knowingly permit 4 yogurts is NOT okay. As you obviously know.

For the growth spurt theory: Can you leave something out (hey, how about an apple?) that she can get any time she wants, and then you have to be the one to open the fridge before she can get anything else?

And lastly, if when you're shopping for this lock, you see one that works on 12yo stepdaughters and adult husbands, would you please let me know about it?