What Can I Say When One Child Hides Snacks from Another? 

Parenting Perspective 

When you discover that one child has been hiding snacks from a sibling, it can be concerning. This behaviour often stems from a fear of scarcity, a desire for control, or sometimes simple mischief. Although it may seem like a small issue, it has the potential to create feelings of resentment and distrust between siblings. Your role is to address the behaviour calmly, reinforce a sense of fairness, and guide your children to see sharing as a joyful and integral part of family life. 

Address the Action, Not the Child 

It is important to correct the behaviour without shaming the child, which can make them defensive. Address the action directly but gently, with a clear statement like, ‘Hiding food is not fair to others in our family. Food is for everyone to share, not for keeping secret.’ This sets a firm but kind boundary around the behaviour itself. 

Reassure Them of Fairness and Abundance 

Children often hoard when they feel insecure or uncertain. Reassure them that there is enough for everyone and that treats will always be distributed fairly. You can say, ‘You never need to worry that you will not get your share. I will always make sure there is enough for you both.’ Creating this sense of predictability and security reduces the impulse to hide things. 

Transform Hoarding into Giving 

Instead of focusing only on the negative command “do not hide” give your child a positive and empowering role. You could ask, ‘Would you like to be the one to hand out the biscuits today so that everyone gets one fairly?’ This reframes their position from that of a hoarder to that of a generous giver, linking the act of snacking with the joy of sharing. 

Encourage Empathy 

Help your child to consider the emotional impact of their actions on their sibling. A simple, reflective question like, ‘How do you think it would feel if your brother hid his favourite snack from you?’ encourages them to develop empathy and connect their own actions to the feelings of others. 

Acknowledge and Praise Generosity 

When you see them sharing willingly, even in a small way, make a point of noticing it. ‘I really loved how you offered your sister a piece of your apple just now, without me even having to ask. That was very kind.’ This positive reinforcement strengthens the idea that generosity is a valued and respected quality in your family. 

By actively replacing secrecy with fairness and generosity, you help to guide your children towards building a relationship founded on trust, thoughtfulness, and mutual care. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, food is regarded as a blessing (rizq) from Allah, and the act of sharing it is a form of worship that increases its blessings. Teaching children not to hide food but to share it with open hands is a way of nurturing both their worldly manners and their connection to their faith. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hashar (59), Verse 9: 

‘…And giving preference over themselves, even though they were impecunious themselves…’ 

This powerful verse praises the highest form of generosity: sharing what one has, even when one does not have much. For children, this teaches the beautiful principle that the value of a snack is magnified when it is shared, not when it is hidden away. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 1820, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Food for two is sufficient for three, and food for three is sufficient for four.’ 

This hadith is a beautiful reminder that there is barakah (blessing and increase) in sharing. It teaches children that blessings expand when food is shared openly, whereas hoarding diminishes its value. 

When a child learns that sharing their snacks is a form of kindness and generosity that is beloved by Allah Almighty, they begin to find more joy in giving than in keeping. Over time, they come to see food not merely as something to be consumed, but as a precious opportunity to practise love, empathy, and faith with their own family.