She's always eating?

Question

My 10 year old step-daughter doesn't stop asking for food when she is staying with us. We have a normal healthy diet, but she is always asking for something else. (Usually biscuits and crisps, which I usually say no to as a between meals snack.) She has just had toast for supper, then asked for crisps and is now asking for a bowl of cereal. It can't be a growth spurt cos it's all the time. Does anyone else have experiences like this. Should I just let her stuff herself with what she wants, only I don't let my own children stuff their faces constantly, and I don't think it's fair to let her do it in front of them.

She had already had a cooked meal before coming to us tonight. Supper is what we have before bed.

We always have a well stocked fruit bowl. I just felt mean earlier cos it feels like I'm always saying no, when it's for her own good.

Answer 1

No should mean no! PLEASE encourage her to drink water instead of eat. I wish my parents had for me. I think feeling guilty for saying "No" to your child, when it really truely is for their own good, is NOT doing your child any favors. (Step-child is still "your" child, IMO). She may pout and holler, but offer to do something fun with her, like read the Chronicles of Narnia or something along those lines, or play board games, or cards...go for a stroll. It may be a cry for attention.

Answer 2

I am a little confused about the eating deal; however, I don't think that her eating is a bad thing unless she has weight issues. She may just have a high metabolism so she is processing her food quicker than other children.
As long as she is not eating too many carbs or junk food I don't think that her eating should be a big concern.
Make sure she eats in the kitchen away from the other children if you would rather keep it fair to the others. Having a bowl of cereal isn't bad as a snack but get healthy cereals like cheerios w/ yogurt or a raisin bran something she likes but isn't all sugary. Instead of toast let her have some nuts like almonds or peanuts they are healthy and filling.
You should ask her to if she does have anything upsetting or stressful going on as well just to make sure she is alright.
Better that she eats then starves herself or throws up so that is the silver lining. ;~)

Answer 3

It could be a that shes just growing. I know when i was 10 i always wanted more food. My parents just let me eat. Im 14 now n weigh 115 ive weighed that for almost a year. I dont seem to gain weight no matter how much i eat. If shes hungry tell her that she has to wait till everyone else is done and leaves the table then give her some more food. But you only fed her toast for supper? Thats not right. I think any kid would still be hungry after that.

Answer 4

Let her stuff her face with fruits and vegetables, I'd say. Set a certain amount if crisps(whatever that is) and keep to it. Then tell her that if she is still hungry, these are the things that you can have. Did she only have toast for supper?

Answer 5

Could she be comfort eating? She is a step daughter - you dont say if there was a divorce or bereavement she had to cope with. Either way, this could explain her eating habits. She might also be used to eating constantly at home. I dont think it would do her any harm giving her an odd treat along with your other children as she might stash goodies and eat them in secret if you come over as too strict all the time.

Answer 6

She is growing and needs to eat at her age. Maybe,she's eats like that at home. It's not right for her to eat in front of your children because there not allowed to stuff their faces constantly. She has to learn, when she stays at your house, she wouldn't get as much food as she's use to at her home.

Answer 7

Give her something else to eat, but make sure it is health, like fruit or yogurt and THEN give her toast with jelly or whatever. good luck, yeah give everyone the same thing to eat.

Answer 8

tell her to stop eating and show her some results of what could happen if she keeps on doing this. Tell her that she could some things at some time time but not all the time. Hope i helped!

Answer 9

no, id take her to the Doctor before this gets out of hand and she becomes seriously ill , unfortunately many parents don't do anything before its too late ,if you don't she will literally eat herself to death, i know this sounds extreme but she will quickly pile on the pounds and then it will be obesity before you know it, and with obesity come so many health problems . it would just be child cruelty to do nothing about it and feed her .

good luk xx

Answer 10

it may be hormonal kids this days are maturing sooner and I just think she needs more on her diet. You can take her to a doctor and make sure she's healthy and that she's getting enough of what she needs.