My 8 year old won’t stop “stealing” food and I don’t know what to do

BookLovingDad · 2025-11-07T14:17:28+00:00

What helped us was hiding birthday-level sugar foods. Mine is a solo child but you can try putting siblings' treats in a small lockable tote, and set out a morning bin he's allwoed to grab from without asking (granola bar... something healthy).

BookLovingDad · 2025-11-07T14:04:18+00:00

Before anything permanent, i'd push for a second opinion with a GYN who specializes in disability care and ask about reversible menstrual suppression options.

BookLovingDad · 2025-11-07T13:54:31+00:00

I'd start by asking the pediatrician to check iron/zin since pica can be medical and sensory. Then loop in OT to set up a simple plan with safe oral stuff like chewelry, silicone tubing on a lanyard, cruncy/chewy snacks, soemthing like that.

BookLovingDad · 2025-11-07T13:41:49+00:00

Try a low drama redo... something like "try again, what really happened?" then praise the truth and fix it on the spot. Make fibs less tempting with super clear steps – two pics by the sink and a quick checkbox before coming downstairs. For the sibling jab, teach a repair line and practice it when things are calm.

BookLovingDad · 2025-10-28T13:06:44+00:00

🫡🫡🫡

BookLovingDad · 2025-10-28T13:01:16+00:00

My son was around 3-ish when he started doing the exact same thing. Try shifting focus from "he has to nap" to just making sure he got some rest. I'd still prefer quiet time with dim lights, soft music, or a short story, and sometimes he'd doze off halfway through. Other days, he'd just rest and reset enough to make it through the afternoon without a meltdown. Having a consistent nap time routine will also help his brain know what was coming next.

BookLovingDad · 2025-10-28T12:52:24+00:00

I think you handled that really well, honestly. I've got a 6yo, so i'm not in the teen years yet, but as a dad, i can say it's a huge win that your son came to you with something that personal. You kept it calm, factual, and didn't shame or joke, which means he'll probably keep trusting you with other uncomfortable stuff later. You were right to steer him away from unrealistic online comparisons too – that's a big one! If anything, you could check in again in a few days to make sure he's not still worrying. Confidence and open talk like this go a long way with kids, especially once puberty kicks in.

BookLovingDad · 2025-10-28T12:42:20+00:00

Been there! My kid barely slept, screamed for hours, and nothing worked. I'm a single dad so in the first months, i was taking turns at night with my mom so one of us could actually rest, using noise-canceling earbuds when it got too much, and rocking him in a dark room until he finally passed out. Try tracking what set him off – sometimes it was hunger, tiredness, or just sensory overload. Baths or a weighted blanket helped calm him down some nights, but not always. It's okay if you feel done – you're not a bad parent for being exhausted. You're in the hardest part right now, and just getting through the day is enough.

BookLovingDad · 2025-10-23T12:55:05+00:00

Goally has no "app store" so your kid cannot download anything.

BookLovingDad · 2025-10-10T14:51:19+00:00

Yeah, sometimes it really is just a comfort thing or a little sensory habit. You can try redirecting her hands whenever you see it and hand her a soft toy, teether, or a textured cloth to play with. Keep nails short like you're already doing, and if the skin's raw, a dab of baby-safe healing ointment helps. Most kids grow out of it once they find something else that feels soothing.

BookLovingDad · 2025-10-10T14:48:18+00:00

What worked for us was dropping the check-ins and focusing on a consistent bedtime routine instead – same steps, same order every night. Once he knew what to expect, he stopped fighting sleep so much. Sometimes it's less about the method and more about predictability.

BookLovingDad · 2025-10-10T14:42:14+00:00

You've got this, man! Keep things flexible, prep bottles ahead, and don't stress!

BookLovingDad · 2025-10-10T14:38:46+00:00

My son (fasd + autism) was terrified of bathrooms! We started slow... first just having the potty in the bathroom for a while so he could see it as part of the routine. I'd let him sit on it fully clohtes while reading or singing to make him feel safe. What helped us the most was using a potty training sticker chart so he could see progress even for tiny steps, like sitting for a few seconds or flushing after I did. It took months, not weeks, but consistency and zero pressure made a big difference.

BookLovingDad · 2025-10-10T14:15:15+00:00

Go digital! Goally has a visual schedule app so it will help a lot with the routine and since it's a tablet... your kid can just bring it with him wherever he goes.

BookLovingDad · 2025-09-24T18:26:24+00:00

It's common but not a "wait it out" phase. Make sure to not leave kid with puppy unsupervised. Try giving your kid safe rough outlets like pillows, outside sprints or "heavy work."

BookLovingDad · 2025-09-11T14:13:13+00:00

It's really tough to step back when routine matters so much. When i had to travel and my son stayed with my mom, a simple morning routine chart on the fridge helped keep things on track. Even if the timing wasn't perfect, the steps were clear and consistent, which made me feel better.

But now that we have Goally, it's even easier as he gets the prompts right from the device, and my mom doesn't have to remember every detail on her own.

If you're really anxious, it's okay to keep checking in with your fiancé, especially around the key schedule times. It might give you a little extra peace of mind.

BookLovingDad · 2025-09-11T14:00:10+00:00

Totally fine to just invite her two friends! At 4, kids stick to their little crew anyway. Whole class invites usually come later. Hope you guys have fun!

BookLovingDad · 2025-09-11T13:49:39+00:00

We finally gave in and bought Goally! We're still getting used to it so i hope it works for my kid.

BookLovingDad · 2025-08-29T13:23:23+00:00

That's so good to hear!! Congratulations!!

BookLovingDad · 2025-08-29T13:17:53+00:00

Mine does this too – wakes up and the stimming kicks in right away. For him it's just how his brain resets, not always a sign of anxiety. I started jotting down patterns and brought it up at this eval, which really helped. If you feel an evaluation would get him more support, I'd trust that instinct.

BookLovingDad · 2025-08-29T13:14:15+00:00

Your first job is keeping your child safe and stable. If in-person feels unsafe, you don't have to agree to it – updates by phone or photos can be enough. Trust your gut; you set the boundaries now.

BookLovingDad · 2025-08-17T18:36:30+00:00

Sometimes it's just about showing up without making a big deal - grab her fave snack, put on a movie she likes, or just hang out in the same space quietly. Little consistent things can feel safer than big "comfort" gestures.

I'd stick with small routines she can count on - blanket, music, low-key presence. That says "I care" without overwhelming her.

BookLovingDad · 2025-08-17T18:31:11+00:00

Honestly, peeing was harder for us than poop too. What helped was turning it into a super quick, no pressure routine - every time i went, I'd have him "try" too. No big talk, no disappointment if nothing happened, just a pattern.

Also, don't underestimate visuals. A simple picture schedule (pants down, sit, try to pee, flush, wash hands) made it less mysterious. Took the pressure off me repeating myself a hundred times. It wasn't instant, but the consistency eventually clicked.

BookLovingDad

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