I have no self-control when it comes to candy in my cupboard. I can manage some self-control at the grocery store when my wallet is involved, which is why we usually don't have candy in the house at all. After Halloween, of course, candy is a given. In the past, my kids weren't all that interested in the candy. I convinced my husband to take most of it to his students (after pulling out the M&Ms for First Son and the peanut butter cups for us, of course). This year, though, the kids are much more interested so I didn't want to just send it all away. I didn't want to eat it all, either. We accidentally managed a solution that (I hope) satisfies everyone.
We bagged up the candy and wrote the child's name on the outside of the bag. The bags are stored in a high cupboard. (First Daughter still doesn't realize she could climb up to them and hopefully it doesn't entice her to try it.) After lunch and dinner (sometimes only if they ask), each child is allowed one piece from his or her bag.
I can't bring myself to eat any of it myself. It's in a bag, with a name on it. If I take a piece, it's like taking it right out of my son or daughter's mouth.
There are no toys the kids can claim in entirety (just a few bedtime security stuffed animals, but the kids generally share those happily enough). The food is communal. The banking account is communal. The Halloween candy is not, and I just might implement this policy for all future holiday candy (reserving rights to limit intake and eliminate massive overflows by shipping it off to the college students who can afford a few more calories in their day).
It worked for me!
