An idea for those "over snacking" kids...

I just thought I would share an idea that I did with my bios (ages 12 and 14) They have a tendency to "over snack". A whole bag of chips, gone with in 24 hours! There are 4 people in the house, if there are 4 items, they don't take one (their share). I have hid food, have not bought it, all the usual ideas. I have gotten mad, discussed, cussed, pleaded, yelled, etc....I have told the kids over and over and over that FIRST of all, it's not healthy. Secondly, it's flat out selfish and rude to eat the snacks like that.
So I went out and bought the shoe box size rubber maid boxes with lids. Put their names on the box, then went through the snacks and divided it up. If it was prepackged, (individually) I divided it up and put in boxes. If it was something in that wasn't (like chips for example) I would grab sandwich bags and fill those. There was anything in there from, drink mixes for water, crackers, cookies, chips, fruit snacks, etc.....
The rules were, this was YOUR box for TWO weeks. I would NOT refill before then. So if you can't make it last, that is your problem. If you didn't like an item you can trade, if the other person was willing. If not, sorry. I will try to remember next time you don't like a certain item. You CANNOT eat ANY snacks that is NOT in your box, to do so is considered stealing and will have consequences. Which was being grounded for a week AND being the "slave" (with in reason) for the person you stole from!

It went well. They only ate what was in their box. I was able to have snacks when I went to get one, and it cut down on their over eating of the snacks.

Oh, and sometimes they would take their boxes to their rooms, (whatever) but if the box wasn't down in the kitchen for refill day, it didn't get filled until the next time. (2 weeks later)

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That's a pretty clever idea.

That's a pretty clever idea. We tend to not keep a lot of "junk" snacks in the house, just because we don't really eat them and we won't buy them just for the kids.

But what I like about your method is that it actually teaches kids to ration out food and be responsible with snacks .. especially junk. Helps to prevent over-eating habits and helps to learn how to exercise self-control. Good work!

thanks. my final straw was

thanks. my final straw was literally the bag of chips gone with in 24 hours. i bought groceries, and the next morning they were gone! i was pissed! LOL

That is a good idea. I am

That is a good idea. I am pretty sure SD15 would steal from the other kids boxes though!!

That would suck. I think that

That would suck. I think that is partly why too my kids took them to their rooms, they didn't trust each other. ha ha which irritates me also that they eat in their rooms, but sometimes you just finally throw your hands up after years of protesting, and punishing. I just finally said, if I smell anything coming from your room, or see any bugs in your room, you won't have a room! Haven't smelled or seen bugs yet. But the wrappers, irritate me. I just shut the door.

imjustthemaid, could you dole out punishments for stealing from the other kids boxes? or would it do no good?

stepfamily501, they HAVE

stepfamily501, they HAVE eaten the box in one day. Not my problem. If it was a problem each time, then i would just not fill it as much. I always stuck to the rule of it only being filled every two weeks, eventually they slowed down.