Food at the park

wesleycrusher · June 2014

DD is always looking for food at the playground. It started at baby story time at the library when she'd see other moms give food, she'd go up to them to get some, and I know the moms so they'd usually offer to give DD some (things like puffs, raisins). Then we ran into one of the moms at the park a few times, and she always has food, so she'd give some to DD. Now it's turned into her seriously trying to search other strollers for food and if she sees someone eating, she'll go up to them and try to take their food. Sometimes I bring my own food for her but if she sees someone eating something she thinks is better she'll only want that. Other times I'll stop off at the park spur of the moment if we're out and I don't have a snack because she'll just have eaten.

Does anyone else have an LO who does this?? I'm unsure what to do. She tantrums if she can't get at the strollers with food and it's worse if we run into some we know, it cuts our park time short and leaving is the only option. I don't want to just leave a bunch of food in the car because it's so hot. Other parents are usually really nice about it but it's kinda embarrassing for me, and like I said, she usually doesn't want whatever food I have anyway, she's relentless for their food and I don't know how to make her understand.

Today a family was having a party at the park- there'a big pavilion next to the playground- and all the kids were eating pizza. They were really nice and actually they offered DD a slice and we accepted. I know I would do the same thing if I saw another kid wanting to eat (offer food that I had) but I'm taking food from random people and it's kinda weird. As a side note, we got to talking with some of the family. They actually asked if DH and I were their cousins because there are so many they can't keep track. The youngest baby there was grandchild 36! We have no family in the area, so it was kinda nice to be included in a family picnic.

Sillygirl85 · June 2014

If you want her to learn that she can only get food from you, then you need to not allow her to accept it from anyone else no matter what. Have something to offer (maybe goldfish?) and if she doesn't accept and starts to tantrum trying moving to a different area or trying to distract her with something else, like bubbles or take her to the slide. If redirecting doesn't work then I would stand firm on going home. It might take a few times, but she should come to understand that she can only get food from you at the park.

wesleycrusher · June 2014

@sillgirl85 I know you're right- that I need to be more firm. It's just hard because I like having her at the park, getting out of the house, so cutting our park time short kinda "punishes" me, too, because then we're stuck at home. It's also hard because it's worse when we see a mom from story time at the park- maybe once or twice a week- because she knows them and knows that she can take food from them at story time.

hilsy85 · June 2014

I agree with setting firm boundaries. My LO often sees toys he wants in someone else's stroller, but he knows he's not allowed to touch anyone's stroller but ours. If she tries to take things from other people's strollers, I would redirect, and if she throws a tantrum, treat it like any other issue--ignore the tantrum and/or leave the park.

As for going up to ppl for food, I have no advice except maybe make it a rule that she only accepts food from you, and then enforce that the same way you would other rules? And if a friend is the one giving food, maybe have them give it to you to give to her?

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