I bought a package of three little cakes with raisins on it, which both looked and tasted very well for my little daughter. She is now 3 years and 8 months old.
Before opening it, she had agreed that she would share these three among herself, dad and mom, one for each. She and I ate our cakes, but apparently, her appetite had not been met.
Mom was not there. So she began to sniff the last one at first, then licked it, then bit off a small piece, and again, though I kept warning it does not belong to her and mom would not have the chance to enjoy this delicious cake if she doesn't stop what she was trying to do.
I noticed her hesitation and thought she wasn't stopping because she didn't want to "obey my order". So I went out and told her to make a decision by herself. Unfortunately, when I came back a few minutes later, the last cake was in her stomach. Seeing me back, my daughter ran to her mom with a little more guilt than contentment on her face, as I feel.
So, is this a serious problem - should I stop her eating the last cake forcefully at that moment, or it's just a common situation that kids like her age still have some difficulties controlling themselves and I have made a big fuss over a minor issue?