Help with 8 and 4 year old

2

Replies

  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    i can't believe all these people took this seriously.

    that said, feed them separately. feed the older one once a day. Or put her on adult diet food.

    hand feed the younger one, and take it away if she gulps it down.
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    Honestly to slow down the consumption you are going to have to introduce snacks and only eating twice a day I am not shocked that they are famished and speedy eating/stealing off the siblings plate.

    More filling meals that take time to eat, having snacks through out the day that are easy for them to grab and go with (my daughter can open yogurt, find a spoon and grab some fruit out of the fridge by herself and eat it quietly and without mess and dispose of the left overs and she just turned 4 in november, your daughters should both be able to do the same) also having foods that can go with them (snack packs and what not) are a great thing. If you can find the time, do outdoor activies that help your older daughter to be more active so that you can use activity to control her weight instead.

    If you continue to have problems with weight after doing this then you might needs to see a registered dietician and a pediatrician to find out what is going on and what your options are.

    ^^^This. I have three girls at home: 5, 9, 12. They eat a good breakfast and we pack them a lunch for school (school lunches are crap!) and they have a healthy snack when they get home from school (banana, apples, veggies) and then they have dinner.
    I can't imagine feeding my kids only 2 times a day. Their behavior (because of blood sugar levels) is always horrid when they don't eat. If you give them healthy snack options they will most likely eat less at dinner but it avoids the spiking and crashing of their blood sugar.

    duh...
    not KIDS....
  • Linkdapink
    Linkdapink Posts: 128 Member
    Dry food so they can eat during the day (my cat won't touch it unless he's really hungry) and put one bowl higher up so the other doesn't immediatly nick it. Only feed half a pouch at a time if the younger one doesn't eat at breakfast time, and feed it to her half way through the day so they have more of a "lunch".

    I can only assume you're talking about cats...
  • Colbyandsage
    Colbyandsage Posts: 751 Member
    I think you need to add in snacks! My kids eat all day every day. I have a 7 yo and 4 yo. They are actually border-line under weight. I think the 8 yo is eating fast because she is starving, I know me and if I don't eat often, I tend to eat fast and more than if I didn't snack all day.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    Dry food so they can eat during the day (my cat won't touch it unless he's really hungry) and put one bowl higher up so the other doesn't immediatly nick it. Only feed half a pouch at a time if the younger one doesn't eat at breakfast time, and feed it to her half way through the day so they have more of a "lunch".

    I can only assume you're talking about cats...

    party pooper
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    can you cut down the heavier one to one meal a day?

    jesus, i'm not a monster

    REALLY did u just ask her to cut her 8 yr old to one meal a day?? who does that.. we all know we should eat atleast 3 times a day.
    Make healthier selections and if they have snacks just switch to healthier snack. My 6 yr old daughter is over weight. I stopped buying sugary drinks and bought water and they put packets of crystal light or sugar free drinks in them for flavor, stocked up on fruit and veggies and if they are hungry or want a snack then they will eat it. I dont make my kids eat something they dont like but i atleast have them try it. Most of the time it turns out they do like it. I also have a 12 yr old son and hes too skinny. But i made these slight changes for the both of them so my daughter didnt feel it was only her. I do the same as well.. we only drink water and they will drink milk in the morning.
    As for you lil one taking the older ones food try separating them at dinner. have them sit acrossed the table from one another. Good Luck!

    I think it's hilarious that this poster called the OP "she."
  • MidwestAngel
    MidwestAngel Posts: 1,897 Member
    can you cut down the heavier one to one meal a day?

    jesus, i'm not a monster

    REALLY did u just ask her to cut her 8 yr old to one meal a day?? who does that.. we all know we should eat atleast 3 times a day.
    Make healthier selections and if they have snacks just switch to healthier snack. My 6 yr old daughter is over weight. I stopped buying sugary drinks and bought water and they put packets of crystal light or sugar free drinks in them for flavor, stocked up on fruit and veggies and if they are hungry or want a snack then they will eat it. I dont make my kids eat something they dont like but i atleast have them try it. Most of the time it turns out they do like it. I also have a 12 yr old son and hes too skinny. But i made these slight changes for the both of them so my daughter didnt feel it was only her. I do the same as well.. we only drink water and they will drink milk in the morning.
    As for you lil one taking the older ones food try separating them at dinner. have them sit acrossed the table from one another. Good Luck!

    I think it's hilarious that this poster called the OP "she."
    Only a mother would do this to their kids, duh!
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    can you cut down the heavier one to one meal a day?

    jesus, i'm not a monster

    REALLY did u just ask her to cut her 8 yr old to one meal a day?? who does that.. we all know we should eat atleast 3 times a day.
    Make healthier selections and if they have snacks just switch to healthier snack. My 6 yr old daughter is over weight. I stopped buying sugary drinks and bought water and they put packets of crystal light or sugar free drinks in them for flavor, stocked up on fruit and veggies and if they are hungry or want a snack then they will eat it. I dont make my kids eat something they dont like but i atleast have them try it. Most of the time it turns out they do like it. I also have a 12 yr old son and hes too skinny. But i made these slight changes for the both of them so my daughter didnt feel it was only her. I do the same as well.. we only drink water and they will drink milk in the morning.
    As for you lil one taking the older ones food try separating them at dinner. have them sit acrossed the table from one another. Good Luck!

    I think it's hilarious that this poster called the OP "she."
    Only a mother would do this to their kids, duh!

    Right!!!
  • icmuse
    icmuse Posts: 263 Member
    I keep my 6 year old on a very strict raw diet. 1 meal a day. Yeah, I am that kind of Nazi mother! It keeps her nice and lean. :glasses:
  • crazy4lulu
    crazy4lulu Posts: 822 Member
    sorry... just sitting here LM AO at the answers... im surprised someone hasnt called child welfare on you:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • sunnyskys2013
    sunnyskys2013 Posts: 159 Member
    I'm a little confused as to why they only eat 2 meals a day? My kids eat three meals a day plus free snacks fruits or veggies any time a day, except an hour before a meal. I have 4 between the age of 2 and 9 none of them are over weight. But they do spend all there free time outside playing too.

    If you offered them raw fruits or veggies as a snack they wouldn't be staving at dinner time. And if they don't want that kind of snack they are not that hungry and can wait for the meal.

    Also if there meals are higher in protein and good fats and lower in carbs and sugars it will stick with them longer.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I'm a little confused as to why they only eat 2 meals a day? My kids eat three meals a day plus free snacks fruits or veggies any time a day, except an hour before a meal. I have 4 between the age of 2 and 9 none of them are over weight. But they do spend all there free time outside playing too.

    If you offered them raw fruits or veggies as a snack they wouldn't be staving at dinner time. And if they don't want that kind of snack they are not that hungry and can wait for the meal.

    Also if there meals are higher in protein and good fats and lower in carbs and sugars it will stick with them longer.

    Mine only eat twice a day. Sometimes if I'm up really late I'll give them another meal at midnight, 1 am so they don't bother me so much the next morning.
  • 84jeepster
    84jeepster Posts: 198 Member
    I am with some of the other posters above. I would feed them more, healthy food and if they want snacks in the middle, send them outside to chase something down on their own. They may even bring a piece home and leave it on your doorstep.
  • KrazyAsianNic
    KrazyAsianNic Posts: 1,227 Member
    If this is about children, you should probably show them who's the grown up. Children shouldn't be eating off each others plate unless they are done, and even if one is still hungry, give them more. As of the older one, just get her more active and maybe let her help you cook. The healthier you feel them and the more the participate in the kitchen, the more the will actually enjoy their food. If you make a rule they can only eat off their own plates and sit them where they cannot reach each other, that will stop one from eating faster.

    If this is about cats, I don't know what to say. Leave more food to snack on...
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,029 Member
    So i have two girls, and 8 and a 4 year old. I need to really help them with proper eating. the 4 year old isn't much of a breakfast eater, but has started eating a little more heartily in the morning. the older one never had a problem eating first thing.

    the older one is a little heavier, and i'm trying to get her to eat a little less. the younger one is just a bottomless pit and can eat anything.

    the problem comes at night, as i only feed them twice a day. at night, the younger one is going crazy crying and screaming her head off. i try and make them wait until meal time, but the crying just gets to me, and i might feed them both a little early.

    another problem occurs with the older one. she eats so fast that sometimes she throws up a few minutes after dinner. but the reason she eats fast is because the little one kinda steals her food sometimes.

    so, any help on getting them to slow down their eating and being better at waiting for meals??
    Chocolate cake. It has flour, eggs, milk, and carbs.:laugh:
    I remember this from Bill Cosby.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • tlou5
    tlou5 Posts: 497 Member
    I think limiting young children to one meal a day is a bad idea. They need frequent small meals (which is why schools do an am snack and a mid day meal to keep energy levels up.) They may be hungry if filling up on junk as their bodies may not be getting what they need nutritionally, so I agree with giving them a vitamin. Also, for bottomless hunger pick something healthy that you don't limit. In our house this is watermelon and carrot sticks. It gives them a feeling of control so they are happy, but generally I have found with my kids they don't over eat these things as they would sweets.

    Also agree that you should set some limits. There is no reason an 8 year old should be stealing food from a sibling. She/ He is old enough to know better.

    Lastly, does the eldest participate in any sports? This would help with weight control too.
  • ArchangelMJ
    ArchangelMJ Posts: 308 Member
    LOL, this really had me going for a second. Cats, yeah....I've always just left out dry food and they eat when they're hungry.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    We make one dog lay down while the other eats.
  • tobejune
    tobejune Posts: 177
    First I thought WTH is wrong with this parent. Then I thought, WTH is wrong with these people answering. Then I started to laugh at how serious I take life.

    I have the same problem with my cats. I figure eventually my older cat will get with the picture and give the little one the smackaround she deserves for eating all his food. Right now I feed them once, at night, so they don't bother my real child while he's going to sleep.

    What kind of food do people use? I spend way too much on cat food :/

    ETA: I recently learned that after getting a cat fixed they tend to gain weight.

    Also, for the fat one, dose 'er up with catnip, that'll have her running around burning a few hundred extra cals a day :)
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Dry or wet food?
  • salemnye
    salemnye Posts: 305 Member
    First I thought WTH is wrong with this parent. Then I thought, WTH is wrong with these people answering. Then I started to laugh at how serious I take life.

    I have the same problem with my cats. I figure eventually my older cat will get with the picture and give the little one the smackaround she deserves for eating all his food. Right now I feed them once, at night, so they don't bother my real child while he's going to sleep.

    What kind of food do people use? I spend way too much on cat food :/

    ETA: I recently learned that after getting a cat fixed they tend to gain weight.

    Also, for the fat one, dose 'er up with catnip, that'll have her running around burning a few hundred extra cals a day :)

    I use Purina indoor/natural one. I don't buy food with dyes in them because my older kitty throws up if he eats too fast and red stains on the carpet are no fun. Each bag lasts 1 month ish. We have 2 cats
  • ladymiseryali
    ladymiseryali Posts: 2,555 Member
    This is about cats, isn't it? :laugh:
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    Dry or wet food?

    dry in the morning, wet in the evening.

    little one used to turn her nose up at the dry food, but has been eating more of it.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member

    Also, for the fat one, dose 'er up with catnip, that'll have her running around burning a few hundred extra cals a day :)

    neither one of them likes catnip
  • lilbearzmom
    lilbearzmom Posts: 600 Member
    OMG, some of you people are so freaking gullible. LOL
  • 1two3four
    1two3four Posts: 413 Member
    I think this is the best thread I've read all day!
  • beetqueen1
    beetqueen1 Posts: 1 Member
    Wait, what is this about?
  • Kids had a rooster that refused to eat a new brand of food. He went well with a pot of dumplings.
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
    I just leave food out for them all day. Cuts down on sibling rivalry and food stealing. They also tend to eat reasonable portions rather than engorging themselves.
  • RoadsterGirlie
    RoadsterGirlie Posts: 1,195 Member
    This thread gave me the LMAO of the day. I think it took me longer to figure out what was going on than it should have...