The endless treats
Did you know that for every €1 spent on fruit, we spend €1.5 on treats? The documentary did not specify what constituted as treats, but I am sure most of us can imagine.
Like most I watched “What’s Ireland Eating?” on RTE1 on Sunday evening, and like most that watched it, it left me in a state of guilt and annoyance. Apart from exposing our assumptions on what is Irish food and what is imported, showing how farmers in Ireland are squeezed by the multinationals for profit that, I might add, doesn’t really change the price we pay, there are was that fact about treats that stuck with me as a parent.
It all got me thinking. As stated on a previous post, Parenting Woes. Who needs the treat?, I really dislike treats. As my children are past the baby stage and are more vocal, it becomes increasingly more difficult to stop treats ending up with them. Let’s be clear, I am not the one buying them treats. Well, I am not a monster, but when I buy a treat I make a hole in my wallet getting out of season blueberries.
Everyone else just seems to think it is their mission in life to make my children happy, giving them treats. What people don’t realise is that they may only meet my children once or twice in a month, and giving them a treat makes them feel great, but my kids meet a lot of people…which means a lot of treats.
I was asking my mother-in-law about treats, as my mum was as strict with them as I am. She bluntly told me that the kids would be happy to get yoghurt and an orange on the weekend. The chipper van came to the village about twice a year and that was it.
My children, due to my more relaxed attitude, are getting a piece of something almost every second day. It could be a biscuit, a bit of chocolate, mywadi or my pet hate, a cheap lollipop. In most cases, as discussed previously, people have the treat in hand before asking me. But to be honest sometimes I just nod, just to avoid the whole awkward situation that tells another person that their kindness is unwanted.
It is not just that I want my children to be healthy and learn to enjoy healthy options, but I fear for the exposure to continuous injections of sugar their teeth suffer.
So I have an action plan, which I have slowly been building up to with my girls. I am going to buy a treat box, into which they will put all the treats they get throughout the week. They will then, on the weekend, be allowed to eat them all at once.
I wouldn’t suggest this action plan for all parents, I know some children would be capable of eating the full box of treats, but I know my girls and two or three will do. This way I will weed out the worst candy, they will be able to enjoy treats and I will also be able to make sure they brush their teeth extra carefully.
I have them pretty much convinced, and have had a few successful tries. Once the plan is fully in motion I will come back with updates. Here is hoping for success!
