How to stop other travellers eat your food supplies?

[Anonymous]

When in doubt, just tell the truth.

“Sorry, guys. The plan was for everyone to bring their own breakfasts, so I don't have enough for everyone.”

If they're the kind of kids who tend to self-serve from your cereal boxes and then eat it all, just keep your stuff in a big tupperware bin with your family's name on it rather than on the counter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Direct and problem-solving solution: Bring it up with the other adults, "we agreed to do shared dinner and separate food for other meals. I don't feel like that's working. I brought enough for my family but then ran short because the other kids ate a lot of it. Can we either revisit the rules or the system?"

Direct and rule enforcing: "The food in these bins is for the x family. If you are not a member of the x family do not touch or ask. This food is not for you."

Avoidant and problem solving: store all high-value items in the trunk of your car or a locked case if you don't have access to your car.

Avoidant and rule enforcing: Snap trap in the food bag?

This is genius! And so funny!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
DO NOT SHARE LIVING SPACE WITH NON-HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS DURING A PANDEMIC.

But if you are, and know these people mooch, then arrange for everyone to contribute financially to shared food.

THIS. No wonder our kids are not back in school.

t's everyone continuing to be "safe" with just another few families

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it the type of thing where you’re making omelets for your kids and other families brought Cheerios?

If it’s something like that, you need to bring similar foods. There’s no way around it. If the other kids see a mom cooking something that smells good they’re going to ask for some.

No, they ate all our bacon and cereal and bread. So it’s not like we bring gourmet breakfast.

Never bring bacon. It smells too good and everyone will come sniffing.

It’s mean not to share bacon. And if they ask for toast, just grab bread from their family’s stash and make it for the kids. Cereal is easy. Bring a lot, and just pool all the boxes when you get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine making bacon in a shared house and not making enough for everyone.

All the bacon was gone on day 1 and we have several more days to go.
Is it hard to understand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Why on earth are you traveling and sharing space with other families during a pandemic. That is completely irresponsible.

2. Traveling and sharing a house with other families is just about my worst nightmare. Why set yourself up for that stress in the first place? Rent your own space.

3. There is no way to avoid sharing food if you are sharing a kitchen. Just bring enough for everyone.

Get your own cabins. Then your food is inside YOUR cabin. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like OP doesn't want to change to shared food for all meals or swapping who is in charge for all meals. Just wants to control her own food supply for 2 out of 3 meals without having to police or have any confrontation. Not the easiest approach but possible with some advanced planning.

Is this the exact same group as before? If so, email ahead of time and confirm you are sticking to same plan. Then say, "I'd like to avoid running out of food like we did the last time. Here is what I am planning to bring, if your family wants to do that too, then bring more of it for your family"

I don't think it makes sense to cook bacon just for your family though. Either you have three families cooking bacon 3 times (ridiculous) or other kids are living with a yummy smell but going without.

So either plan to cook that for everyone, have your meals more closely match theirs or vacation with vegetarians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine making bacon in a shared house and not making enough for everyone.

All the bacon was gone on day 1 and we have several more days to go.
Is it hard to understand?

OP you are the problem. Why are you here complaining instead of addressing it with the other parents? Quit being a puss and have the conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: And if they ask for toast, just grab bread from their family’s stash and make it for the kids. Cereal is easy. Bring a lot, and just pool all the boxes when you get there.

Their mom already made them breakfast but when they see ours they want to eat ours. All of it. Until there is nothing left. No cereal l, no bacon, no bread, etc

[Anonymous]

Buy enough for everyone just in case.
Keep non perishables in your room
Eat in your room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine making bacon in a shared house and not making enough for everyone.

All the bacon was gone on day 1 and we have several more days to go.
Is it hard to understand?

OP what exactly do you think this PP is not understanding? I agree that it's the bacon causing problems. Either you all agree to do shared breakfast or you need to skip the bacon and sausage.
Or meet in the middle where each family brings their own breakfast staples but then you all split the cost of a bunch of bacon/sausage from Costco? Enough to never run out

[Anonymous]

Group house meals should be easy to assemble and/or easy to scale. This is not the time for a la minute omelettes or individual mini quiches. Think pancakes, cereal, toast, sandwiches, fruit, french toast casseroles, etc.

Want to have bacon? Just throw another package in your cart. Approached by a young child? Give them a taste and then suggest that they "ask mom and dad what your family is having for breakfast." Approached by an older child? Put them to work making their own toast, cutting fruit for the table, etc.

You can either vacation with other families and enjoy the benefits of cooperative parenting and the kid pack that develops, or vacation by yourselves and enjoy your artisanal bacon. But you can't live with other people and guard your resources like a dog with a bone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
DO NOT SHARE LIVING SPACE WITH NON-HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS DURING A PANDEMIC.

But if you are, and know these people mooch, then arrange for everyone to contribute financially to shared food.

THIS. No wonder our kids are not back in school.

t's everyone continuing to be "safe" with just another few families

That isn’t why our kids aren’t back in school.

[Anonymous]

Gather the Moms for an in-person meeting and decide what will be made for dinner each night so there aren’t duplicate dinners. Then, list out all breakfast, lunch, and snack food people will eat, and split it up. If there’s something extra you want to bring that you think only your kids will like, bring extra just in case. You can also split up who brings dishwasher detergent, sponges, wipes, laundry pods, trash bags, etc. Just spending an hour or so organizing things saves a lot of duplicates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine making bacon in a shared house and not making enough for everyone.

All the bacon was gone on day 1 and we have several more days to go.
Is it hard to understand?

OP you are the problem. Why are you here complaining instead of addressing it with the other parents? Quit being a puss and have the conversation.

This. But, also, I agree that you should not cook bacon if you're not prepared to share it with the whole house. If you don't want to share your bacon, don't bring any.