I think there are certain,  proper times to eat. Grown ups and children alike should only eat at those scheduled times.

I don't think you should be eating in front of your children and not share. It's best to avoid the situation all together.

 :drillsergeant:
My parents made the rules when I was growing up in their house.  If there were snacks for adults only, it was stated, not explained or excused, and that was end of the matter.  We knew better than to beg and whine for food or anything else.  Those who did were punished.  Of course, my parents didn't sit around watching TV and eating junk food in front of us.  They were too busy working during the hours we'd be up.  Occasionally, they'd have guests in for cocktails and dinner, but then we children would be playing outside or in the "rumpus room."  We'd be given dinner separately and put to bed.  Then the adults would eat dinner and entertain themselves as they pleased.  The problem nowadays is that many adults are oversized children.  There is no distinction between parents and "kids."  Why then, shouldn't kids expect to join in whatever their parents are doing?  I see this every school day for the first month or so of school.  My first graders speak to me as if I am another kid in the classroom.  They may address me as Miss Frances, but the rest of their talk indicates they are on an equal basis with their parents, a third or fourth member of their parents' marriage!  They are this way due to ignorance of their proper place, or that there IS a hierarchy of infant to elderly.  It takes time, but few fail to catch on.  They have to be taught proper responses and ways of interacting.
Parents, for your children's sake, stop acting like children!  If you want to watch TV and eat chips, do it after your children are in bed, and limit it to once in a while!   Establish boundaries and teach them by example.  PM me if you'd like some specific ideas.  

I agree with your husband. Your husband should be allowed to have his treats regardless of the children. They can learn that they will get their turn when it is time. Children shouldn't have such a strong attachment to treats that this causes a problem. Teach them not to worry about what they are not getting.

As for the rest of the people accusing him of gluttony, you are rather quick to accuse one of sin. That is sad.

I think if it is not the kind of thing you would do to a guest in your home, it is probably not something to do to your children.

My spouse and I have a disagreement regarding the rearing small children.

It is about eating goodies in front of them.

I say it is wrong to eat treats in front of small children (cookies, candy, ice-cream, whatever) and not give them some too. It drives me crazy when an adult eats treats right in front of them, and if they ask, they are told "NO', or "not till after you eat your dinner", or "no, it's not healthy for you." Or something to that affect, or even being told nothing at all while they watch the adult consume the forbidden goodies.

I think that behavior is rude and mean, and instills envy and selfishness.
I would either offer to share with them or forgo the treat if there wasn't enough to share, or I didn't think it was good to have it at the time. Or, the adult can go somewhere out of sight of the children and pig-out if he wants.

My spouse thinks that it is perfectly fine to do the above, he says his parents ate treats in front of the kids all of the time, and that is just one of the privileges of being an adult. He thinks I am irrational.

What do you think?

PS- I am talking about small children 3-8 or so.

I agree with you.

There really needs to be a certain level of reverent awe around the offices of fatherhood and motherhood.

I am the OP- the post directly above seems to be more to the point of the question I am asking. It is not that my spouse is particularly gluttonous, or that we don't eat healthy foods at scheduled times. It is just that we seemed to have been taught differently, and I was wondering which way of doing things was more of the norm in Trad households. I would feel guilty eating treats in front of a child who was watching me, while they had nothing, and wouldn't enjoy it anyway.