How do you deal with a child who helps themselves to cookies and such, when your not looking?

Question

This happens usually in the morning before i get out of bed. And i've talked to her about it already, but she still continues to disobey.

Answer 1

Either put them up in a high cupboard or just dont buy them then she wont eat them.

Answer 2

Have you told her it's wrong? It's basically stealing. Just because it's food and in the house she lives in it's still not hers to get into. I'd talk to her about that. How much time does she have on her hands between you and her getting up?

You could just not buy the cookies, but that won't teach her anything.

My 8 year old is on a strict two sweets a day. One cookie counts as one sweet. I've discussed how ill he can get from too much candy. Like Diabetes for instance.

You should have been offering proper snacks from day one. Now you have this problem. I hope things get better for you. But you're going to have to work at it.

Answer 3

1. Keep the cookies out of reach or only buy enough to have for the snack at that time

2. Punish her for disobeying. You're the parent, the one in control. She is the child and needs to learn that you are the one who makes the rules, not her.

Answer 4

How about a consequence for the action... may be a privilege taken away since talking to the child is not sealing the deal...

What if it was booze or a smoke??? What would you do? Think about it in a bigger picture. It is easier to fix a problem early on.

Like already said there is always the option of not buying it.

Answer 5

I belive the best way to support your daughter is to change yours and the familys lifestyle With her, do it together. I assume she doesn't want the consequences of eating major amounts of cookies, and probably she realizes it's not good for her in the long run (if shes ~school age, at least, otherwise help her to understand). It's just hard to quit, almost impossible, especially for a child. I had a tough time in school myself, and in third grade (I was about 9 yrs old) I started eating lots of cookies, unhealthy food etc, mostly when no one else was looking.

My mother and I talked about it, of course, and I told her I was sad and cried, sometimes I was angry with her too. But as time went on she helped me without me noticing, she started eating more healthy food and not buying cookies, candy, snacks, unhealthy stuff at all, but instead bought fruits, berries etc and ate them herself with the rest of the family. For my sake.

And I can't in any way tell you or them how grateful I am for that. I would probably be very overweight and very sad if I kept living like I did, and I had a hard time in school and so on already as it was.

I think you should help your daughter to the right track without punishment or fights, without yelling and tears. She might complain that you didn't buy any cookies and be a bit mad at you, but hey, tell her you bought some fruits instead and if she doesn't accept that, ignore her. Tell her you did it for yourself or something, just don't focus on that she's doing wrong, it's very easy to become defensive and do everything parents tell you not to in that age..

Don't tell her what to do, make a great, healthy and happy example of you. If you have other kids they'll eventually benefit from it too. :)

ADD: Comment on prior post - How the HECK can anyone call it stealing to eat food in the kitchen of the house one lives in.. I think that is a Cold and unpleasant way to raise your kids. I believe everything that is mine is also my husbands and my kids (well, they can't borrow my panties, but you get the idea..)! Sharing and being open is very important, I think that's an huge part of being a good grow model.. And to have a nice atmosphere in one's home is very important.

Answer 6

you are the adult and make the rules you have all the control. You can take things that they like away. At this point your child should know what is right from wrong if they dont you need to start from the begining. My children know not to go in to the Kitchen without first asking permission or being called into there by myself or the wife.

Answer 7

I'd either get rid of all goodies, or put them where she can't find them. I use one of our crisper drawers in the fridge for the kids fruits, jello cups, string cheese, and other healthier snacks. They are allowed to help themselves to THAT drawer. I Make sure their is a variety.
The fact that she has been told not to, and does it anyways behind your back causes some concern. Personally, I'd get rid of the goodies. She can't sneak what isn't there!

Answer 8

put the cookies up. and punish her for disobeying. she is only a child. imagine what else she will help herself to later.

like your wallet?!

you have to do more than TALK about it. let her know you are serious!

Answer 9

thats funny i just went through this with my 7 year old i had to start putting all the sweets and snacks up so she couldnt reach them so now she digs in the fridge this is a new problem im trying to figure out good luck to you!!!!!

Answer 10

This is actually a very easy problem to fix........DON"T BUY THE JUNK FOOD, it's not good for anyone anyways, and if you just have to buy it then HIDE IT BETTER!!

Problem solved.