Category Archives: Simple Living

Our snack challenge has honestly been one of the best things I have done with my children as they have reached the tween and teen years. ( If you missed my earlier postings, you can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.)

My main goal when starting the experiment was to gain control over the wild ones attacking the pantry every day after school.  I was constantly reassessing my grocery budget do to the fact that my older kids were consuming the food faster than I could shop for it. It’s not that they are undisciplined or disrespectful of the fact that the food in the pantry had to last until next week’s grocery trip, it was more of a simple lack of teaching on my part and accountability on their part.

That has changed.

We have done this for about 4 weeks now and let me tell you, if our schedule is so packed we have to put off the grocery shopping for a few days, they are begging to go.  They love it.  They understand it.

There are a few lessons they have learned that you and I already know but became real to them as they used their own funds:

1.  They can get more for their money from Walmart.   (sniff)  It is no secret to my kids that Stuff-Mart is my least favorite place to shop.  It ranks up there with going to the gynecologist.  My stress levels are off the charts and that’s before I even get into the store as I have just spent 15 minutes trying to park.  And, I don’t know what they have emanating from their florescent light fixtures but 10 minutes into the shopping and I am parched!  But, alas, the kids have seen it with their own eyes and they know that is where they will score the biggest stash of snacks.

2.  There really is a difference in pricing but not always taste when it comes to brand names vs. generics. I have always told the kids that for the most part I am “deal loyal” and not “brand loyal”.   My stylish kids who are smack dab in the middle of the “branding is king” target audience, have walked through the checkout with generics and came through the other side unscathed.

3.They have learned to think ahead.  Nutrition matters.  Yes, I still have one that loves soda and one that is convinced gum is a quality snack.  But we are making progress.  When my gymnast is getting her after school snack I remind her that her body needs fuel for the next 3 hours of training.  She adjusts accordingly.  And my high school soda drinker has started slipping one of his cans of soda down in his backpack rather than spending his own money at the coke machine on campus.

I am considering increasing their snack budget a couple dollars with the understanding and agreement that the extra funds go to fresh produce.  These kids love a good crate of cutie oranges!

As I wrap this up, I must say I wish I had done this a year or so ago.  And summer vacation is coming.  Oh dear.  All three meals AND snacks.  Part time jobs.  I’m thinking part time jobs!

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Once upon a time I was at a neighbors house and her then middle school son walked through the kitchen, into the pantry, and proceeded to help himself to one snack item after another.  And when I say one item after another, I mean a bunch.  Lots.  More than I would offer my little ones over the course of a couple days.  I was floored.  Did she allow this?  Is this common?  I could not ever imagine my sweet little blond boys ever doing this.

Little did I know…

Have you seen this termite commercial?  Here is a quick screen shot that reminds me of my now teen boys and how they attack the pantry after school:

I wish I were kidding.  For those of us working hard to adhere to a grocery budget, it is discouraging to see your well managed grocery items become an inhalant in less than 2 minutes.  For those of you with little ones still, be forewarned.

So I thought I would try a little experiment and so far I have to say we have not only had success, but the kids have learned a couple lessons in the process I did not anticipate on the front end.  I will share our experiment here and then come back tomorrow and share what they chose and the lessons learned. Here goes:

The Ten Dollar “This is all you get” Snack Challenge

It’s pretty simple and let me say the kids, who generally hear mom say “No” more than “Yes” when it comes to their grocery wants, had a great time.  This has become a weekly/biweekly outing for us now. Here is how it works:

1.  Each teen/tween gets a $10 budget for their own after school snacks for the week.  I have three kiddos that fall in that age range so that is $30.00 a week devoted to their snacks.  They can choose to bake something or open a package.  They have free reign in their choices for week one.  First of all, it is money I was spending on pantry items anyway so it really did not affect my budget too much.

Disclaimer: So you don’t think I am a total loser mom, when I say they have free reign of their choices, they know through having the pleasure of knowing me as their mom for many years what is not allowed in this house and what is occasionally brought in as a treat.  But I did have to bite my tongue on a couple things I watched as they landed in my cart.  Remember, this was an experiment…

2.  The snacks chosen by each one was their’s alone.  They could choose to swap out with a sibling or they could choose not to.  They had to respect the fact that an item in the pantry is not available to them. And yes, I have one child that likes to take inventory…

3.  If they blew through their snacks in just a few days, their only choice at that point was to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or pop some air popped popcorn.  I held tightly to this part of the experiment because I still had some snack items in the pantry for the other members of the family and I wanted to see how well this worked.  And…there is absolutely nothing wrong with a good ole PB&J or some air popped popcorn.

Check back tomorrow to see what they each chose.  Here’s a little hint from a growing middle school boy…chewing gum does not a snack make!

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