Teenagers stealing food

Keeping_Positive

PinkLipgloss wrote: »

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.

They have shown lack of respect by eating it in the first place even when asked/told not to. I know where you are coming from OP my DD1 is the same :mad:.

onlyroz

It would be nice if you could have a free-for-all, where the kids could help themselves to cake etc if they wanted it - but those privileges should be removed if someone starts to take the pee. As a teen, if I wanted some crisps/fruit/cake then fine, I could help myself - but if I scoffed the lot then I'd have been in trouble.

ceridwen

DogsBody wrote: »

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?

I tend to agree with the above.

I must admit when I saw the word "stealing" being used then I assumed you were talking about strangers taking it - not your own children.

I understand why you want to keep more luxury items to one side to make a treat for the whole family - so, if the above doesnt work, then perhaps hide the luxury items.

But I must admit that - if I were them - I would be very upset by my parents describing me taking food from the kitchen as "stealing". Stealing is if they went to your handbag or jewellery box and stole the contents from there - not taking some of the communal food from the kitchen.

I DO find it extremely harsh to use a word like "stealing" about your own family in this connection. The vast majority of us honestly wouldnt regard it that way - more inconvenient, bit annoying - but our own "fault" to some extent for not having hidden any luxury food we didnt want them to take.

System

Put it elsewhere and say its for special occasions only. That's what happened when i lived at home, snacks were in a different cupboard. If the are young (say under 10) i can understand asking permission but if they are teens it'd be treating like they were kids again.

midnightraven3

not getting into the ins & outs of "stealing" food

have you tried having "treats" available?

low cost sweet things, like twinks hobnobs etc?

teens will more than likely grab something quick, easy & sweet over making themselves anything

ontheroad_2

McKneff wrote: »

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.

exactly this - I know in my parents house when I was growing up, and now in my own house, whatevers in the cupboards is for everyone who lives there to use.

If you really don't want some items you buy to be used by your kids, you need to be specific and if that doesn't work, stop putting it in the cupboards. I regularly leave stuff (not food right enough) in the boot of my car if I don't want my daughter seeing it.

Doom_and_Gloom

rev_henry wrote: »

Is it not normal to help yourself to whatever in one's parents house where one lives as a teenager?

No it is not!
When I was growing up I asked before I ate anything unless I knew it was bought for me only!
OP - I can't believe that they just take without asking given your circumstances. You shouldn't have to hide food from your children to make sure they don't consume it but you may have to. I think the removal of internet is a bit harsh though although I understand you must be frustrated about this. I think you should find a place you can put items you don't want them to eat until you need them.

Barneysmom

I really can't believe this thread at all.

Nuts and cranberries, dried fruit, fresh fruit should all be freely available, there should be no restrictions on them..

abby1234519

I used to do this a lot. When the parents would go out I'd help myself to ice cream but make sure they couldn't tell. In those couple of hours I'd help myself to everything I could.

Couldn't you get a quality street sized tin and fill it with asdas own chocolate etc once a month and say that's yours. If they eat it all in one go they have to wait another month!

PinkLipgloss

Keeping_Positive wrote: »

They have shown lack of respect by eating it in the first place even when asked/told not to. I know where you are coming from OP my DD1 is the same :mad:.

The lack of respect/trust comment was directed at both the parents and the teenagers!