Eating question

[Anders]

I'm new to parenting and foster parenting I don't have any biological children and have only been foster parenting for about a week now so I know I don't have much experience about anything, my only "parenting" experience being as a summer camp counselor. So here is the situation; my foster son really is a great kid, really friendly, respectful etc. The one thing is his eating habits are to me at least strange. He isn't a picky eater but never really eats much in one sitting. He'll eat some say he is full, and then an hour and a half later is hungry again. He is hungry enough that a simple snack like a banana or apple isn't enough and instead he will eat almost as much as he ate an hour before. What I've taken to doing is having him save his leftovers from each meal and then when he gets hungry a little later they are waiting for him. This doesn't really happen at breakfast, but he is practically eating two small lunches and then two small dinners. I'm wondering if this is healthy, and is it normal? He's 11 and very athletic, small for his age though, if that helps.

[datherton2000]

Having raised 3 boys of my own now 25,21 and 17, your son's eating habits are quite normal. However this may be something that you might want to mention to his doctor. Sometimes there can be underlying problems such as pin or tape worms that will cause a child to be hungry more often. If that is the problem this is easily treated by medication.

[CAFostermom]

I agree that this could be completely normal behavior. Some kids just don't have the patience to sit and eat when there may be distractors looming (e.g., the child would rather play than eat). It could also be a control issue - this is a normal behavior with foster kids. The child might think, "hey I will just say I am full then I will gorge on candy later." We saw this with our former foster kids. So in the beginning, when they would do that, I made sure that only healthy snacks were available.

I would monitor the food intake. Does the agency ask you about the child's eating habits? I know that ours did. If it continues, ask the child's doctor to see if there may be an underlying medical condition that doesn't allow the child to eat well. Maybe they have to modify the diet or add a nutritional supplement.

[stayathomemom]

I agree..this could be completely normal...

[beachbound]

Growing up with a house full of 4 older brothers...I know this thing pretty well. It's perfectly normal..