Open refrigerator or closed?

Question

Do you allow you children in the icebox?

or is it a big no-no?

Answer 1

i let my kids pick something out if they want something but tey have to show it to me for approval

Answer 2

I don't let my kids snack just whenever, because if I did they would just graze all day and not eat meals.  They have a drawer with snacks in it (cheese sticks, applesauce, assorted fruits, carrot sticks and broccoli) but they are only allowed snacks if they ask first.

Answer 3

I didn't allow my kids to get in the refrigerator until they were old enough to make sure they closed the door behind them Usually around 4 and 5 years old.

Answer 4

I always had my children ask first so I was aware that they were in there. This way I could check on what they chose to eat or drink.

Answer 5

if you let them to start with they will do it for the rest of their lives.Childern carry many sicknesses on them that you really dont wont in or on your food it also depends on their ages too .decide for yourself .go with your own instinct.

Answer 6

My children are 4 and 8 and they are allowed in the refrigerator to get themselves drinks snacks whatever, however they do need to ask befor they go in the refrigerator.  That way I can make sure they are not getting a snack too close to dinner time.  And if someone does make a mess, I know who did it.  Also, my 8 year old is now allowed to pour things, but my 4 year old is not.  There are water bottles and juice boxes on the bottom shelf for her.  We work on pouring when I am right there with her.  

I think it teaches your children to make responsible decisions, while you can still monitor their choices some.  Also, it helps me out if they can be a little more independent.

You may want to start out putting the items they are allowed to have in one area, like on one shelf, and just let them take things from that shelf.

Answer 7

I do let him but only after he asks and I know what he is getting.

Answer 8

Closed, its not safe, and you can break your refrigerator.

Answer 9

ha ha, I thought Steve B's answer was funny!

I think it's a good idea to make a shelf in the fridge just for the little ones and put healthy things on it such as fruit, veggies (raw carrots, celery w/peanut butter), yogurt, etc... and let them know they can have anything from that shelf only.

as they can older you can make changes to the rule and maybe they get other things if they ask first and so on.

My kids never really went in the fridge for much until they were older. Even now aside from getting  drink of milk or whatever, they still usually ask first.

Answer 10

Nope when my kids were toddlers the were not allowed in the fridge.  I could just see my now 10 year old being thristy and grabbing a wine cooler as a toddler.  Yeah your toddler "Knows what not to touch" until he does it.  Toddlers minds aren't equipped with that concept at 2.

Answer 11

Kids under 10 were not allowed to get into the refrigerator alone. If we wanted something we asked Mom or Dad and then if we were capable of doing it, we could do it but otherwise they would do it. I will be 17 next month and it's open fridge now because I make dinner most nights (I'm a pretty good cook...I've been cooking solo since 12 and my cousin and his wife asked me to cater their wedding in June).

Answer 12

No.

Children can suffocate inside a closed refigerator.

Answer 13

My daughter is 3 1/2 yrs., and yes, she is allowed.  She only goes in it to get her own drink out (sippy cup), she's never been the type of kid who smashes cartons of eggs on the floor or anything like that.

Answer 14

I let my 4 year old get what he wants freely, but we talk about what is his and what isn't. Also I don't keep anything in his reach that I won't let him have, to avoid temptation. I think it depends on the child. It should be a privilege.

Answer 15

If they dont make a mess I dont have a problem with it.

Answer 16

They can get fruit out of the refrigerator any time without asking.

Everything else in the fridge is for meal time and scheduled snacks only, though I'll occasionally okay a bowl of cereal with milk if they ask first.  We have three meals and two snacks, so it's not like anybody's going hungry.

Answer 17

It depends on how old they are.  Small children are prone to making messes.  Teach them how to properly return items, and they should be allowed to open it at will!

Answer 18

My freezer is located at the bottom of the fridge (My son is 2 1/2). He is allowed to get his own ice, but ONLY with supervision.

He must :

1) Wash his hands!

2) Locate a clean, empty cup.

3) Only touch the ice that will go into his cup.

4) Close the ice drawer, and freezer door.

Answer 19

Our kiddo can go in if he asks first.  Our main floor is one big open space, so it's tough for him to do anything I can't see.

If we were in a bigger house with a separate kitchen that I couldn't see, I'd probably feel differently.

Answer 20

We have a snack drawer that the kids can pick from.  It has the yogurt, applesauce, fruit, string cheese, cottage cheese cups and pudding cups in it.  That's what they can pick from when they want a snack.  I've been doing it since they were toddlers and they are now 8 & 9.  The snack drawer works well.