Smart but Sneaky

[Nessie48]

My husband and I never conceived, so after 16 years of marriage, we adopted Kayla at the age of two.  We love her dearly and know that she is God's gift to us.  Kayla is now nine years old and turns ten in May. She's bright, independent, talented, but can be a little stubborn and sometimes rebellious at time (what kid isn't?).  We discovered in the last year and a half (if not longer) that Kayla is sneaking food out of the pantry and fridge.  She eats this food in her bathroom or bedroom when we are not looking. Once we've eaten, she is hungry 30 minutes to an hour later, but instead of asking if she can have something to eat, she rather sneak food items and drink sweet beverages. Kayla has been told repeatedly to tell us whenshe is hungry and we won't have a problem making sure she gets something to eat. I believe she thinks we will say no, because most of time she's asking for candy, cookies, chips, and on occasion healthy snacks she wants, but she assumes we will say no.  The reason we have her ask her to ask for these things is because she doesn't seem to have control over her intake.  She will keep eating candy, cookies, etc. if we do not monitor her intake. As a family, we enjoy desserts at least once a week and her dad and I buys candy bars at least once a week for us to enjoy, so its not like she is not getting the food she enjoys.  I don't know if we're making too much out of her eating habits or not, but we don't want her to sneak (which is actually stealing) and lying about what she does.  Its frustrating and prohibit her from receiving special priviledges and the things she enjoy most.

Now that I recall, she use to take things from family and friends house when she would go to visit, but she later stopped when we told her that we would buy what she wants.  I'm worried that she may began this behavior outside of the house because recently, we received a call from the principal office that she had taken candy out of her friend's purse.  She didn't take one piece, but three...I was so embarrass to hear this, because I occasionally substitute teach at her school (I'm sure they understand this, but I don't want her to labeled as a thief).  My husband and I have contacted Kayla case worker to see what services are available to adoptive parents (something we have never had to do before).  I would also like to find a behavior management therapist for children to take her to so that we can get some advice and she can get the help she needs.

[Sandman2]

Sneaking food I understand.  Being hungry an hour after dinner I don't.  You might want to have a medical checkup with a standard blood test. I could think of a couple other reasons why she might have this desire for food or sweets, and I think it would be good to eliminate these possibilities.

[Angelinthemorning]

It sounds like you're doing all the right things by looking into getting her help.  In the meantime, I would just put up all the "junk" food, or foods you don't want her to have.  This will eliminate sneaking the candy off to eat it.