Hellobee Boards

I've noticed a lot of people do this. I'm not sure why, but I don't worry about it. I was raised that you finish what you have and then ask for more if you're still hungry, but maybe they don't want to get back up to get their children seconds? I think it is pretty common among kids to ask for way more than they'll ever eat, so maybe they aren't bothered by the waste and just give them what they want?

And a funny side story... My mother was watching my cousin (an only child) years ago when he was 6 or 7 years old. He was used to getting his own food and drink, and his parents always loaded up his plate, just like you're describing. Well my mother was cutting up apple slices one day for a snack for him and my brothers, and he refused to eat them. He insisted on having his own apple (aka, threw a fit), but my mom knew he wouldn't finish it, so she told him that if he wanted his own apple, he'd have to finish it before eating anything else. He took 2 bites and tried to throw it away.
My mom pulled it out of the trash, stuck it on the counter, and when everyone had dinner, he got the apple on his plate, alone. He was pissed and refused to eat it and went to bed hungry. Then the next morning, everyone got breakfast, and he got the apple, which was becoming increasingly brown and ugly. This went on until that night, when he finally gave in and ate the apple. The kid literally never gave my mom problems again. About anything. His parents could never figure out how she got him to behave so well at her house.

My DD (4.5 yr) and DS (19 month) get the same amount of food, haha. It's actually super overwhelming for DD to get a huge plate of food and she doesn't eat well that way. She actually eats more when we give her less to start with, and if she wants more she can always have more.