My 4 Year Old Step Daughter

Hello,

I am also a stepmom. I would say if she is sneaking them that the only way to stop her is to not have the food in the house when she is there. Start with this. Then in a few months or so have a couple things in the house, but don't tell her. Then when you think she has stopped the sneaking you can let her know, that she can have a special snack sometimes but she must ask first. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

I would suggest to just go a while without have the junk food in your house at all. I know it might be difficult but after a while it may work. Provide fruits for her (though I am sure you already do). I wonder if there are anything that tastes more like candy that will help her get used to eating the fruits? I know that when we have junk food in my house, my 5 year old begs for it constantly. It's easier just not to buy it.

Hello, i would suggest you lock the snacks up... Get a container that locks or locks on 1 cubboard and lock them up... Give her her piece but only if she eats her fruits and veggies too maybe... Not sure how you handle that... I feel your frustration though.. I take my nephews for long weekends and they wont eat the regular table food. No fruits no veggies and constantly want chips and cookies and crackers.. They also sneak them or sneak candy.. The rule in my house if you cant at least try the veggies or the fruit you cant have the snacks.. I still offer fruits and stuff for snacks but no chips or cookies for snacks if they dont at least try the good for you stuff... IT IS HARD CAUSE I HAVE 2 KIDS OF MY OWN AND I DONT WANT TO GIVE IN FOR ONE WHEN I WONT FOR MY OWN.. IT WOULDNT BE FAIR FOR MY KIDS... Good luck it is tough...

Hi D.-
I have worked with kids for many years and it seems like sneaking snacks because she feels like she is being deprived. I completely agree that treats like cake or brownies are exactly that...special treats. I once worked with a 6 year old boy with diabetes. His parents were having a terrible time keeping him blood sugar levels steady because he would wake up in the morning bfore everyone else and raid the cabinets. He was reacting because he was unable to eat like everyone else, except your step daughter is unable to eat like she is used to eating at her mom's house. My suggestion is talk to a pediatrician, and until you can get the problem under control hide the snacks or put a door knob lock ( the baby proofing ones) on her door knob so she can't get out of her room. Getting up in the middle of the night is a safety issue as well-she could've fallen or choked. I hope this helps.

there's not much you can do. she gets away with it with her mom so she'll try it with you.. lock up the snacks.

It's hard to punish her for having a snack because getting the snack is a self rewarding behavior. You said you give her a time out for the negative behavior, but do you have some way to give her a reward for a positive behavior (having an apple maybe?)

I wonder if she is using the junk food as a control issue. I wouldn't lock it up because that could create some serious trust issues, but seriously reduce the amount of junk food in your house. Maybe buy 1 small brownie on Thursday. Give her control of it. On Thursday put the brownie on a plate with apples, bananas, veggies and other healthy treats. Tell her that she can have any of these treats between now and Sunday, but this is all she can have. Explain that she can have the whole Brownie right now if she wants, but then she wont get another one until next week.

Just a thought. Good luck

S. (who has more experience training animals then children)

I wouldn't get too worked up over this. She's not your daughter, so its not really your place to discipline her. That's her mother and father's job. You can back up your husband, but the punishments can't come from you.
Locking up the snacks or just not having any does sound reasonable, though.