11/06/2025
To hide the Halloween candy or not to hide it? That's the post-holiday dilemma many parents face! 🤷♀️
This decision isn't just about sugar - it touches on food scarcity, regulation, and your child's relationship with food.
Hiding/Restricting: While it seems protective, creating a "forbidden" food can unintentionally increase focus, craving, and the desire to overeat when unsupervised. This can set the stage for a tricky dynamic around food.
Leaving it Out (Access): This offers a vital opportunity! It allows for natural learning and self-regulation. It's the perfect time for discussions about:
➡️ Intuitive Eating: Listening to our bodies (hunger/fullness/satisfaction).
➡️ Food Neutrality: All foods fit.
➡️ Body Impact: How different foods make us feel (energy, mood, stomach).
My Suggestion ➡️ Offer a reasonable amount of easy access in a visible spot. This normalizes the candy. Use any questions or concerns as a positive opportunity for food education and open dialogue. And/or, you can donate some to clear the excess!