Focus on Fostering: Hoarding Food

One of the most common issues particularly common among children in foster care is hoarding food.  [I learned quickly not to buy Halloween treats early!] When you realize how large a percentage of those children often went to sleep hungry, or unsure of their next meal no one should be surprised at unusual food  behaviors.  You may find children sneaking food on the sly. They may gobble entire boxes of cereal, cookies, or crackers.  You may discover stockpiles of food under their pillows, behind their bed, or in their closets. This can become extremely difficult…. Especially if you live where mice or roaches are a concern!

The food problem often spills over into school, causing problems socially for the children. Lunches or snacks may go missing. Your child may report not having a snack because they ate it the moment they left your house. Their locker may become a storage spot for accumulated food.

A few strategies… label a food container in the frig with the child’s name and keep it filled with food [healthy choices] they have permission to eat anytime they want. Do the same with a container of assorted crackers or snackpacks on the kitchen counter or shelf. If you cannot break them of food in their room, teach them proper food storage and give them safe containers for the food they want/need to keep handy.  Some people have even had success giving the child a small backpack with apples or fruit snacks that they can carry with them, so they know they always have food available.

If weight or nutrition becomes a problem, you may wish to get your child professional help in addressing this, as this is likely to be rooted in their pre-memory fears and experiences of childhood.

Anyone have other ideas to share?

Image credit: kellythekitchenkop.com