This Redditor’s Teenage Son Is Eating Them Out Of House And Home — So They Put Him On Food Restrictions And The Internet Has Thoughts

Reddit user u/CompetitiveDig478 is feeling the squeeze after their 15-year-old son developed what can only be described as a bottomless-pit appetite. The Redditor explained that with an 18-year-old daughter, a 17-year-old daughter, a mortgage, and debts from a death in the family, money is already stretched painfully thin.

According to the OP, meals that are meant to last a full week are now disappearing in a matter of days. Their teenage son is eating such large portions that keeping the fridge stocked has become a financial juggling act they simply can’t win.

In an effort to stay afloat, the parent made a tough call. The son can eat what he’s served at meals and have a set amount of snacks, but anything beyond that isn’t in the budget.

The catch? He’s the only one with restrictions. His sisters are still free to eat as they please because, as the Redditor pointed out, they’re not clearing out the pantry at record speed.

The 15-year-old isn’t thrilled and believes he’s being singled out unfairly. The OP insists it’s not favoritism, just basic math and survival.

Friends have mostly backed the parents’ decision, but the guilt is still lingering. The Redditor turned to the internet, wondering if setting limits in a tight financial spot makes them the villain — or just a realistic parent trying to keep the lights on and the pantry from going empty overnight.

Here’s the original post by Reddit user u/CompetitiveDig478.

I have two daughters (18 and 17) and a son who is 15. We are not a wealthy family by any means. I don't want to go into too much detail, but I think it would be fair to say that we're basically working class. I have very little room to splurge and am still paying off a mortgage and some debts (incurred after a death in the family). As such things are very tight. My son is currently going through a stage where he basically eats everything. He eats such large quantities that if I'm not careful, meals I've cooked that are supposed to last a week are only lasting a day or two. I can't afford to keep replenishing all the food he eats, while also feeding my daughters. So I decided to put a restriction on him. He can eat what he's served, and he can have a certain amount of snacks. Anything else, I can't give him; he's free to find extra food elsewhere but I just can't afford it. Now, my son is angry about this because he's the only one I've put on restriction, and his sisters are still free to eat as they please. He thinks I'm playing favorites, but it's not that. My daughters aren't eating so much to the point where this is a problem, so it doesn't make sense for me to restrict them too. AITA here? I've told some friends and while they tend to agree with me I do feel guilty. I just don't think there's another way.

Let’s see how the Reddit community reacted.

Donutsmell

Children should never be hungry.

MehX73

Where is he supposed to find free food?

purpleclaire788

That’s abuse!

Still-Wafer-3185

YTA.

A-namethatsavailable

Give the poor kid a PB&J!

HowIPen

You’re responsible for feeding him.

No_Chart_8584

He’s a growing boy!

LilaRabbitHole

He shouldn’t be left hungry.

belomina

Okay, but is he overweight?

Kris82868

You need to go to a food bank.

CivMom

He needs that fuel to grow.

potterinatardis

You need to budget better.

Kimbo151

He needs more nutrients than your daughters.

purplepeaches63316

In the end, the OP isn’t trying to single anyone out — they’re trying to stretch a dollar in a house full of growing kids. Whether the internet sees it as tough love or tough luck, one thing’s clear: parenting on a tight budget rarely comes with easy answers, especially when teenage appetites are involved.