You seem to be putting words in my mouth that are not there.

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.

Well Duh! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know this...nor does it take a psychological "expert"...anyone who spends ANY time arounds kids knows this AND they also know Forcing kids to do what you want them to do is not going to work.

I mean, why are you telling me this as if I don't already know it?

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.

Obtuse? I don't think so. Who said the kid is gonna become an ADDICT? Who says they're gonna get sick eating them? It's real simple, so listen carefully...if they like it and don't get sick...then they are gonna eat them when they want. Unless they DO get sick eating them, or it costs them too much...then what the heck is the big deal if they eat cheetos?

But even better, try treating the children like the cognitively capable human beings they are and giving them better options and advice.

How obnoxious of you to assume that I don't do this in my life. I, like you, have spent ALOT of time with kids in my life and this is a way of thinking/acting that I swear by (and not just with kids).

Anyway, you seem to think I am disagreeing with you about something. All that you have said is very obvious...and is something we all know already. Kids cannot be controlled for very long and the people who DO try to control them almost always end up being resented, and the kids do what they want anyway, behind the persons back.

So, unless you are using "cheetos" as a metaphor for something else...we don't really disagree at all. I'm just saying most kids wouldn't stop eating cheetos unless they got sick of them. Why would they?

Inf.