Preparedness for when

good_advice

what would you do.?
For me this is becoming an issue.
Adult kids with own families. When they come to visit... Head straight for the fridge/cupboard and start eating any instant food they can find.
Now this food is our shopping for the week for x2 grandparents.

Would you say anything? I would not dream of helping myself to any food when visiting there house that was not offered first.

Doveling

I'd just say something like

"Darlings, I'm glad you still feel like this is home, but now you don't live here we only shop for two - and you're eating it! Ask what's going spare before you raid the kitchen"

Delivered in a jolly voice, no-one should take offence.
They might be embarrassed by their thoughtlessness

Are they struggling for food at home?
Could you invite them for dinner on a particular day or is it that they do this on off the cuff visits?

moneyistooshorttomention

Heading literally straight for the food does smack somewhat of "user". It would be more understandable if it were an hour or two later.

Having said that, at my (rather more advanced) age I know just what reaction I would get if I just helped myself to anything in my parents' house - and it wouldn't be a positive one. I know I'm expected to ask if I want to make myself so much as a cup of (instant:() coffee.

The "rules" I operate in my own house are (for anyone here except workmen - who I expect to wait to be offered) is that I will say "There's the cupboard with drinks in - help yourself to coffee/tea/etc". I wouldn't expect people to be helping themselves to food. Though overnight guests would be told "There's this/that/etc - help yourself to what you want for breakfast if you get up before me".

EDIT; Perhaps you could put this specific question up as a thread on the Families Board - and then people could weigh in with further opinions on it there.

Butterfly_Brain

I would say something and tell them that if they want something to bring it with them, they can't expect pensioners to foot the bill.

I have never allowed mine to raid the cupboards and they wouldn't do it now

COOLTRIKERCHICK

At the end of the day regardless of how old they are, they are still your children.. And again regardless of how old they are, when they come to your home, they revert back to being your child,

I personally would just pass a comment as a joke. And then say no more... I would never stop my children or future grandchildren eating our food...maybe its just a motherly instinct that my family gets fed before me...

good_advice

Hiya and thank you both.Several families are doing this every week.
I grocery shop once a week with a set amount to spend. If they turn up the next day. Well,Need to say no more.

No, they have plenty of food at there home.
I do offer cake/biscuits
Have even said about the shop at the end of the street.

Doveling

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

At the end of the day regardless of how old they are, they are still your children.. And again regardless of how old they are, when they come to your home, they revert back to being your child,

I personally would just pass a comment as a joke. And then say no more... I would never stop my children or future grandchildren eating our food...maybe its just a motherly instinct that my family gets fed before me...

Exactly!

Doveling

Sorry Good advice, just read your last post.
If you only have a set amount,and you know they are all ok, then you will have to be firmer.

culpepper

A written notice could be added to the door.

Food in this fridge is our only supplies for the week...Please do not help yourselves!

Then if they persist you can refer to the sign with indignation!

RAS

good_advice wrote: »

what would you do.?
For me this is becoming an issue.
Adult kids with own families. When they come to visit... Head straight for the fridge/cupboard and start eating any instant food they can find.
Now this food is our shopping for the week for x2 grandparents.

Would you say anything? I would not dream of helping myself to any food when visiting there house that was not offered first.

When I visit family I ASK before taking any food; even if I want a cuppa if they are around I would ask them first if it was OK and ask if they wanted one making as well.

If they are out I would make a cuppa and maybe nick a biscuit but not anything more than that.