Parenting woes. Who needs the treat?
Even the strictest of parents know it is a losing battle, though I know some of us that truly are deluded about that. Treats, salvation and nemesis to many of us, and we are our own and our children’s worst enemies.
We have all experienced the sound of happy munching, and what treats can do for a child bored senseless waiting for you to finish with whatever you are doing. Children should of course snack between meals, they need to eat more often than us. It is rather the types of treats we give them that is the problem, in my opinion.
In fairness, ask yourself why your child would be a happier child only because he is eating chocolate when you could give him strawberries? Do we actually miss something we might never have tasted?
I know you probably would be happier with the chocolate, I know I would, but we both know what is the healthier option.
It riles me when other people treat me as if I’m depriving my children just because I don’t let them have a pack of Taytos. I always feel like saying…”Excuse me, do you know the price of the effing strawberries?”
Then there are the people, or worse even, parents that just offer other children what ever their own are eating. It is great to be generous, but food allergies seem to be beyond most to understand or even consider. I don’t know many lactose or nut intolerant toddlers that walk around with a sign on their forehead. How would you feel if some child with nut allergy was rushed to hospital, because you gave him a piece of chocolate without asking his parents first? Of course, there are the kind of people that offer the child first and then look at you to confirm. Great! As if I don’t have enough of moments in the day when I am “mean mummy”.
I go by one rule… not to give them any type of unhealthy food…at all, for as long as I can. Key phrase…as long as I can. If there are older siblings, it is almost impossible to keep the unhealthy wave of treats at bay, and it shortens the time that is “as long as you can”.
A friend of mine introduced sweet treats early on after having seen a friend’s son go wild at a birthday party, gorging everything in front of him. The boy had never had unhealthy treats, but he tore into the feast of sweets with a vengeance. My friend figured controlled sweet treats would be a better choice for her little girl, to understand that they are okay to eat, in moderation.
Having twins actually give you perspective into your children’s inborn tendencies. My girls have always had the same treats, mainly fresh fruit, cheese and raisins. One of them would pass over any piece of candy for some good cheese. The other has an innate compass, that always guides her to the most unhealthy options.
The best way to avoid unhealthy treats is simply not to buy them, something that does not do most adults any harm either. We struggle to keep our kids healthy and might never buy chocolates, but you try having anyone over for tea without there being any biscuits in the house. My husband apologises to guests every time, looks at me meaningful and gives me a pointed nod. Well, I don’t buy them because…A. I hardly ever eat them, especially if they are not there; and more importantly…B. He is the reincarnation of the cookie monster and no biscuit is safe once it comes through the door.
Just because you want chocolate, and eat it, does not mean your child has to. Would you give him a sip of your coffee just because you love it? The same goes for every junk food you know is bad for your child. Eventually he will ask, even demand, give in then if you can’t stand the whining and be happy knowing that at least you started him off well. I can still drink coke in front of my girls, but I can assure you that from the moment they have their first taste my days will be counted. Up to know they have the impression it is something vaguely related to wine (the colour is just about right), and it is something I strongly encourage.
So to be honest, we are the ones that start of our kid’s sweet treat cravings, the same cravings we struggle with our selves. They might crave them once they try them, but no baby comes out of the womb demanding Pringles.
My husband explained why he did not follow my strict rule of no sugary treats…for as long as you can.
“She made me buy it”, the husband said. At gun point, I presumed.
I guess “as long as I can” is about the length of a string.
