'They pay': Mum shares hack to stop kids eating up all the food in the house

Her 'Mummy's snack shop' idea drew praise and criticism online in equal measure...

Sometimes our kids truly amaze us with just how much and how quickly they can eat. 

They can somehow consume the whole pantry faster than you can replenish it (and can afford to!)

But now one mum has come up with a genius solution to stop her kids from eating alllll the snacks, alllll the time - but some people have thoughts about her approach...

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Image: Facebook

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"They can spend as they choose, but once it's gone, it's gone"

The creative mum took to the Extreme Couponing and Bargaining Facebook group to share her invention. 

She showed a menu she designed for her 'Mummy Snack Shop' where her kids can pay for the snacks they want. 

She explained: "With the holidays beginning, I thought I'd share something I do for my boys through the holidays!

"They get £1 per day ($A1.90) that they can spend as they choose, but once it's gone, it's gone!

"They can save up any they have leftover and roll it over!

"They often get random treats, like if the ice cream man comes and I decide to get them one etc! But it stops them asking as often!"

She adds that it helps with maths and budgeting skills. 

Menu items include chips, 30p (57 c), yoghurt, 15p (29 c), fruit, 5p (10 c), sweets, 40p (0.76 c) and cucumber 5p (10 c). 

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"Change up the prices to suit you"

While some fellow group members praised the idea, others had a few concerns.

"Good idea apart from chips, yoghurt and fruit should be with their lunchtime meal," one person wrote. 

Another said: "I think fruit/veg should be free and encouraged to take as I know my kids would much rather use their money on chocolate, chips etc."

The OP replied: "To explain, fruit and veg isn't free in our home, purely because my eldest has a condition which means he lacks self-control.

"If free, he would eat the lot on day one! What works for us, won't work for others!

"And if you want to do free fruit or veg, then just change up the prices to suit you!"

Originally published as 'They pay': Mum shares hack to stop kids eating up all the food in the house