Do you feed the neighbor kids?
We have new neighbors, our kids ( age 5 and 2.5) are friends with their kids (ages 4,6, and 10).
They
typically play in the yards, and sometimes our house. When they are in
our house they always ask for food. even when they are just in our
yard - they'll open the screen door and ask for food. They ask for the
fruit we have on the counter.
When
they are in our house I'll typically feed them, outside, eh. It
aggrevates my DH to no end b/c "we didn't do that as kids" I agree with
him, but I don't care that much though. I don't give snacks to my kids
unless I'd give to the friends too, but it's not my kids asking, it's
the friends.
I don't think they are poor as they just bought a house, a trampoline, drive a nice car, etc. . . . But the kids always say they don't have fruit at their house.
Do you feed your kids'friends? or tell them to go home and eat (they live right next door BTW).
Today they've been outside, a rare 60 degrees in Dec in WI. From the 3 kids we've been asked 5 times.
I've always fed my kids friends, but not on a neverending basis. If they're out playing, I'll offer them something...if they're out a long time, maybe I'll offer again. Mostly I offer drinks. But, it's rude for them to keep asking.
Maybe in an off-the-cuff type of way, say to the mom..."boy, your kids really like fruit! They keep cleaning me out!"
My kids always offer to feed the neighborhood kids! I don't have a problem with this. The other neighborhood moms and myself have been able to discuss openly what our basic ideas regarding what we do with the kids when they are in our yards. We've basically decided that when in a yard, that yards rules and stuff applies. So far it works. Though, with the amount of allergies etc in today's world, it's always a good idea to gingerly approach the ideas with parents if you can.
i love kiddos in my yard!! Enjoy!!
They are asking for fruit & you DH wants to deny them that? Other than what they are rewuired to serve at school or daycare that may be the only source of fruit they get! I would not deny them the fruit.
If my kids had friends over then yes I would feed them if they asked. Now... if it was something like constantly having to fix a meal then I would probably not do it (unless it was planned like for a playdate or overnighter).
If I have food, I will feed anyone, anytime.
I wouldnt be able to afford it right now because that would get so expensive. I would tell them to go to their house to get a snack. I would have them over as a family for a dinner maybe once in a while.
I tend to give them the fruit, b/c I'm a push over - however, the last few times two of them had apples, they had just a few bites each and set them on the table, came over the next day and did it again - NO, if you ask then you darn well eat it!. It irritates me b/c it's everytime they are here, and they keep asking. I've taught my kids not to do that. If I thought they were hard-up that'd be fine, but I can't imagine they are. I don't think it's a matter of being hungry, I think they see it and want it.
I don't mind sharing, but at the same time it's rude. I've already scolded them about opening our doors. it's not their house, don't open our doors!
Personally, I would just give them fruit or popcorn or string cheese.
There is something going on where they aren't getting enough and since I could do something about that for my neighbor kids, I would and simply not mention it to the parents unless they started wanting to stay for dinner several times a week.
It's so true, especially at that age. I would slice up an apple and tell them that's the snack. Likely it just looks inviting, so giving them a taste is all they really want.
Quoting viv212:
Kids always ask for snacks and food and don't finish it. They seem to always have the munchies. If it's something small like fruit, why not just cut it up and let them share? Tell them they can have 1.
Holy Cannibalism, Bat Man: Liberals Are Eating Liberals
Would you go topless if you could?
- JCB911
on Dec. 3, 2012 at 7:53 PM