Caught My Kids Red-Handed with Candy and No Dinner Made Yet

So I walked into the kitchen this evening thinking everything was normal. Big mistake. They had a candy stash that made it look like Willy Wonka’s factory exploded in there. And guess what? Dinner wasn’t even started, which is when my nerves really got hit. The worst part? They were still sneaking candies behind their backs after I told them to clean up the mess. I grounded them for a week, but honestly, how do you decide on punishments like this without feeling like an ass later? Anyway, now there’s no way we’re eating out tonight. The thought of going somewhere when my kids look like they’ve been raiding Halloween candy for weeks... I’m just gonna order in something quick and easy instead. Why does parenting sometimes feel more like a never-ending battle with sweets than raising humans? Maybe it’s just me, or maybe we all have this struggle. What would you guys do if you were me?