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Teenagers stealing food

This has been an ongoing problem for some time now - I'll do the shopping, buy a couple of 'treats' like chocolate or, in the most recent case some macadamia nuts and dried cranberries to make some cookies, and when I go to use them, they've gone!

I know mainly it's #2 son (#1 son is 13 years older and doesn't live at home any more), but #3 son also admits to it, as he seems his brother do it and doesn't see why he should miss out.

I've told them if they are hungry, they can help themselves to toast and whatever, but it's always the 'luxury/high value' things that go walkies.

We've pointed out how dissapointed we are in them, how it takes away the possibility of having 'nice times' sharing these luxuries, how it's particularly hard since I've recently been made redundant, so these things have even higher value, but it seems to go in one ear and out of the other.

OH has now threatened to remove their internet access for a year if it happens again.
Please forgive me if my comments seem abrupt or my questions have obvious answers, I have a mental health condition which affects my ability to see things as others might.
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Comments

  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
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    My friend's dad had 4 food thieves when he was growing up. His dad locked all the food away in a cupboard, with a padlock. They were only allowed to eat what their dad let them/brought out. As it was his dad registered as a restaurant to buy food in wholesale, because they all ate so much.

    Why don't you lock all the interesting stuff away, in one of your holiday suitcases maybe.
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
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    I dont think its a case of stealing the food, you buy nice food, its in the cupboard, wow, thats nice,enjoy.

    If you want things kept for a special occasion, buy a special occasion tin and tell them its out of bounds.

    I mean, if there is bread in the cupboard and a very scrumptious chocolate cake would you really choose toast.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • Lokolo
    Lokolo Posts: 20,861 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Don't buy them?
  • rev_henry
    rev_henry Posts: 4,965 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Are you serious? Is it not normal to help yourself to whatever in one's parents house where one lives as a teenager? If you don't want them to eat something then leave a note or say 'please don't eat x because...'
  • I personally would hate to live in a house were treats had to be locked away!

    IMO it demonstrates a lack of trust/respect.

    Have a family discussion to sort it out.
    "Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" (Douglas Adams)
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    rev_henry wrote: »
    Is it not normal to help yourself to whatever in one's parents house where one lives as a teenager?
    Absolutely not. Food is for mealtimes and if you want anything else you ask permission on a per-item basis.
  • RoxieW
    RoxieW Posts: 3,016 Forumite
    Maybe they think it's unfair that you have access to nice treats but they don't. If you were saving the chocolate to make something special then just say, 'please done eat the chocolate, I'm making a cake for us on Sunday.' they should respect that. But otherwise it seems a bit tight to have nice things in the house that they are not allowed to eat.
    MANAGED TO CLEAR A 3K OVERDRAFT IN ONE FRUGAL, SUPER CHARGED MONEY EARNING MONTH!:j
    £10 a day challenge Aug £408.50, Sept £90
    Weekly.
    155/200
    "It's not always rainbows and butterflies, It's compromise that moves us along."
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    RoxieW wrote: »
    Maybe they think it's unfair that you have access to nice treats but they don't. If you were saving the chocolate to make something special then just say, 'please done eat the chocolate, I'm making a cake for us on Sunday.' they should respect that. But otherwise it seems a bit tight to have nice things in the house that they are not allowed to eat.
    The OP is The Parent, in charge... it's not a hippy commune with a free for all.
  • jamespir
    jamespir Posts: 21,456 Forumite
    i think youre being harsh all you have to say is dont eat them please not take away there net access its a few nuts !!!!!! weve all done i bet you did when you was a kid too

    also you say if there hungry to have toast ? how boring
    Replies to posts are always welcome, If I have made a mistake in the post, I am human, tell me nicely and it will be corrected. If your reply cannot be nice, has an underlying issue, or you believe that you are God, please post in another forum. Thank you
  • DogsBody
    DogsBody Posts: 144 Forumite
    My mother used to insist that I asked first if I wanted to eat something that wasn't bread/cereal/staple stuff. Fair enough, if the 'something' was earmarked for something other than me hoffing it, then i would know, if not, then i could eat it and she would know that it was gone. Fair enough x2 since I wasn't paying for it. Would this work with yours?
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