When the Sugar Snaps were babies, our pediatrician told us that babies and toddlers know when to stop eating and naturally stop when they are full. Unlike adults, they do not mindlessly eat while watching television. The last part is true. The first part is not true for our multiples. They would eat more than they need if we let them. Why? Because there is competition. I remember testing this theory when they were younger. Grayson ate so much that he got sick. And that experience did not change his desire to continue eating until we cut him off. I have a friend whose husband came from a large family. To this day, he holds one hand over his food while he eats. He needed to do that as a child so his siblings would not take his food. Even though his wife and children would not take his food, the habit stuck.
We have been working on eating only what is on our own plate and
stopping when we are full. Greg and I model this for them when we go
out to eat. We tell them that we are full and are not going to eat any
more. We will bring the rest home and put it in a box for later.
Slowly, they are starting to recognize when they are full. The food
guarding, however, is still happening. Once we make sure hands do not
wander to other plates, hopefully we can stop the food guarding habit.
Right now, it is still practical.
I am curious, if you have multiples, more than one child or came from a large family, have you experienced food guarding or not stopping when full? It would be interesting to know how often this happens in large families. I can picture it happening even with two children. Please share your experiences in the comments.
My husband came from a family of four siblings and I do believe that the "it's mine" habit was rich amongst them.
Now how do you explain my brother and me? Just two of us, plenty of food and still we were territorial! LOL
I have fraternal twins who will not share any of their food at meals. If one of them doesn't like their food and the other does they still refuse to share it. Also if I serve them any sort of dessert they have to have the EXACT same portions.
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Hi Sinea Pies.
I guess it must be human nature to guard your food. That's funny.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Kriss MacDonald.
I imagine ours will notice portions soon and start to insist that they are even. I like that yours notice portion size especially on dessert. Ours are willing to share stuff they don't like. One of ours had a MOUNTAIN of honeydew melon the other day after the other three piled it on the one plate! If they do like something though, they guard it.
: 0 ) Theresa
I come from a very large family, and this is very true! When I got married, my husband (one of two kids his family) couldn't believe how quickly I ate. It's because we all had "firsts," but not enough for everyone to have seconds. So, if you finished your plate first, you could go back for more. I always have said it was because of a large family!
Funny — you have me thinking: I'm very generous in all aspects of my life, but that's probably the area I lack the most generosity. I will share anything I cook, but once it's on my plate, it's mine. Hmm!
This story is very cute! I have two boys and those problems are a little easier to control when it's just the two of them. Can't imagine the chaos with more!
Hi Cathy M.
Your story made me laugh out loud. It's funny how these things from our childhood stick. I think many large families have this dynamic around food. I have only one sibling but I can see how our relationship shaped my personality as an adult.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Laura.
Yes, I think the sneaking food off of others' plates happens when I am looking in another direction (due to caring for four). They have learned to defend their plates.
: 0 ) Theresa
OH my! I never thought about this before. I guess it could happen once I get pregnant again and have more than one. So far, my one has been able to stop when he is full. This sounds so interesting. It makes sense though for sure. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Mommy Monday! xoxo
~Brittnei
http://homemakingwithstyle.blogspot.com
Hi Brittnei.
I didn't have this dynamic with my brother who is older than me. I think it happens with ours because they are all the same age and sit at the table together within easy reach of each other's plates.
: 0 ) Theresa