Starvation
My mum is psychotically tight. Always has been always will be.

This example springs to mind.

When I was 8 years old, mother took me and my brother to see a demolition derby & stunt driving show. My dad was working, so he dropped us off at around 2pm and would be returning at 9pm to pick us up. There was an associated fun fair, but obviously there was no chance of getting a few pence for some rides, so we didn’t ask.

It was winter, and as the sun went down it got bleedin cold. By 6 pm lunch seemed a long way off and the cold accentuated the feeling of hunger. All around us people were tucking into steaming hot dogs, and warming their hands on hot drinks. The smell of all this food was driving me crazy, where ever I looked people where wolfing down greasy goodies.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I pleaded “Please mum, I’m starving! A hot dog, a bag of crisps anything, please!”
“Your dad will be here in a couple of hours and I can make you something at home” She replied.

“Please mum, I’m so hungry I feel sick, please”

“No”

I continued moaning halfheartedly, knowing it was futile. Then something amazing happened. She took her handbag from her shoulder and reached in. ‘She’s going for her purse…I don’t believe it…she’s going to buy some food…YES YES YES’. After rooting around in her bag for an age she triumphantly pulled out a single stick of slightly grubby looking Juicy Fruit gum. We had a third each and at the time it was the most miserable moment of my young life.
( Ring Of Fire A petty, drooling belming butthurt retard., Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:09, 7 replies)

see, my mum
wouldn't have paid for the food either, but she'd have had us lugging around a variety of tupperware boxes all day.

I used to dream of actually going into a Little Chef instead of eating home made sandwiches in the car park. I was too young to realise how lucky we actually were.
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:29, closed)

ffs
Being a parent myself, I have come to realize that the cost of a small container of chips is a tiny price to pay for having quiet and contented kids. Not only does it make them more pleasant company, but it reduces the irritation of those around you who have to listen to them.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:37, closed)

I'm with you, Loon
I tend to feed mine when they're hungry, even if it costs me a few quid. Generally speaking, we end up finishing the stuff off for them, but it keeps them quiet.
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:42, closed)

Supermarket shopping trips
are so much nicer if you bribe the little 'uns with food before they start complaining.
( argyleblanket The man on the roof works for me, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 20:30, closed)

Even better
Send them down the aisles to get milk for you, or cereal, or whatever simple things are on your list. You get the groceries faster and they're happy because they're busy, and they learn to shop besides.

Works a treat every time.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 24 Oct 2008, 21:28, closed)

That poor child!
That is one of the saddest things I have heard in a long time. Kids remember things like that all of their lives. At least you won't do the same thing to your kids!
(Woofie, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 19:14, closed)

I was walking my little brood home one night in the freezng cold
amd they were hungry. I decided that they needed some emergency hot food.

Although they were only complaining politely, I sternly asked 'Do you want a smack?'
No, they didn't, but they were hungry...
I asked again, 'Do you want a smack? Are you SURE?'
and glanced meaningfully at the chip shop we were approaching.

Round here, a slice of potato deep fried in batter is known as a 'smack' and is just the thing for a cold, hungry kid.

'Oooh yes! We DO want a smack! We want a BIG smack!'

They all had a smack each, and deserved it, the little urchins.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 20:04, closed)