Re: ???

"Who says they're gonna "learn" anything? If they like them, then they're gonna go get them when they want. THAT was my point...that even if something is "bad" for them, or you don't want them to do something...in the end, they WILL do it if they want to...so if he likes the Cheetos and wants them, he will keep getting them and not "learn" they are bad or will take all his money, cuz he'll think it's worth it. The big duh."

Right, Infinity, exactement. No matter what you do, the kid is going to get them if he really wants them. And as much as you disparage psychology, there are thousands of experiments which demonstrate that punishment and coercion are not very effective at distinguishing behaviours. Forcing kids to do what you want them to do is not going to work.

So what's the solution? Well, despite your obtuseness, it is conceivable that even a mere child will have the wherewithal to realise that it's not worth the cash-flow problem or the indigestion that comes with an addiction to Cheetos. But even better, try treating the children like the cognitively capable human beings they are and giving them better options and advice.

To put it more simply:

Forbidding something = makes it more attractive.

Punishment = Temporarily supresses behaviour, ultimately only encourages the subject to hide his activities and resent the punisher.

vs.

Positive reinforcement + cognitive interaction = Lasting behavior change, lack of pathological relationship.