Tangent:But his new computer glasses do make him look hot.
Anyways...
The point was that he was studying, so I put Bug down for her nap and decided to take the cranky-I'm-already-ready-for-a-nap-but-it's-too-early-for-me-to-nap crazy boy Mr. G with me so Michael could study. I know, I know. I'm a saint. Took one for the team.
However, while we were shopping in Wal-Mart Mr. G happened to come across the holy grail of toddler delight. A triple threat, a box of fruit roll ups, gushers, and who knows what the third one was, all in one box.
G: But look mom! It's so tasty!
Me: Sorry buddy, go put it back. We don't need that.
G: But, but, it's HEALTHY!!
Me: *repressing my giggles* Sorry bud. Why don't we pick out something else for a treat later?
G: Ok.
Later in the frozen pizza isle:
G: *bringing me a gnarly looking frozen pizza that likely cost under a dollar* Let's have this for lunch.
Me: No G, we're not getting this frozen pizza, you need to put it back please.
G: But why?
Me: Because I asked you to. Please stop getting things out of the freezer.
G: *Tantrum begins, as I anticipated at some point considering his state prior to our departure*
Me: G, come here. Let me see the pizza box. Do you see this here? *Pointing to the ingredients list* This says, 'I'm full of junk.' now go put it back.
G: *Tantrum stopped and compliance replaced* Oh, OK!
Ya know, after relaying the two stories to The Hubs, we got talking about the role we play in our home we have a new perspective when it comes to teaching our kids eating habits.
And this is it:
It's not about being fat or skinny. Because I'm going to love you, even there is a little 'more to love' than others.
It's about teaching them what is aHEALTHY food choices, and what makes them FEEL good.
It's about teaching them to love the skin they're in, and understand the stewardship they have over their bodies their Father in Heaven gave them.
It's not about teaching my children eating disorders, or turning my head when they do have one simply because it's the fashionable thing to be skinny.
Skinny does NOT always equal HEALTHY. Even "skinny" people can have a heart attack.
Tangent: Just for you Pop ;-), compare the Costco muffin to a Big Mac
Our point is going to be to keep things POSITIVE. "This is a REALLY GREAT thing for you!" Not, "This is going to make you FAT!"
Does that make sense?
I also am realizing my stewardship over my own children- I am the one who buys the food, and makes the food. I am the one who will be packing their lunches. I am the one who will bring (or not bring) the junk food into our home. It all comes back to me.
What kind of example am I setting?
BUT, I still think it shouldn't be crazy- Meaning: It's not like hot dogs and sodas are OUTLAWED or EVIL. Albeit kind of nasty to me now, I feel like if I BAN those kinds of things from my kids, they're just going to go crazy on them later when I'm not there to "police" their intake. All comes back to moderation in all things...
I also am realizing my stewardship over my own children- I am the one who buys the food, and makes the food. I am the one who will be packing their lunches. I am the one who will bring (or not bring) the junk food into our home. It all comes back to me.
What kind of example am I setting?
BUT, I still think it shouldn't be crazy- Meaning: It's not like hot dogs and sodas are OUTLAWED or EVIL. Albeit kind of nasty to me now, I feel like if I BAN those kinds of things from my kids, they're just going to go crazy on them later when I'm not there to "police" their intake. All comes back to moderation in all things...
Thoughts?
Post-Edit (Comment that was so great I wanted to include it in the actual post): "Here's my only add-on. It doesn't just matter what food you give to your kids and what you tell them about food and feeling good about themselves. No matter how much you tell them that they are beautiful and all that, it won't mean a dang thing if you don't practice what you preach. Trust me, your kids notice what you eat (or don't) and how you look at yourself. I know from experience. You have to be happy in your own skin in order for your kids to be." - Erika
Post-Edit (Comment that was so great I wanted to include it in the actual post): "Here's my only add-on. It doesn't just matter what food you give to your kids and what you tell them about food and feeling good about themselves. No matter how much you tell them that they are beautiful and all that, it won't mean a dang thing if you don't practice what you preach. Trust me, your kids notice what you eat (or don't) and how you look at yourself. I know from experience. You have to be happy in your own skin in order for your kids to be." - Erika
Thats awesome. hahaha.
ReplyDeleteJill--I love that you are already thinking of these things while your children are very young! I wish I would have been worried more about my attitudes and opinions when they were younger. Now that the girls are teenagers, I can see some of the things that I taught them through my example that were wrong and I am regretting it--and trying to reteach them...I hope it's not too late! Love the blog--keep up the good work! :)
ReplyDeleteHere's my only add-on. It doesn't just matter what food you give to your kids and what you tell them about food and feeling good about themselves. No matter how much you tell them that they are beautiful and all that, it won't mean a dang thing if you don't practice what you preach. Trust me, your kids notice what you eat (or don't) and how you look at yourself. I know from experience. You have to be happy in your own skin in order for your kids to be.
ReplyDeleteOOOh- Fantastic addition Erika! I'm putting it onto the post ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe were once at a party at my sisters house. Some friends of my bro- in-law were there. The did not allow their kid to have any kind of sugar at home. At the party the kid got into the soda or some other sweet that was there. When he asked if he could have a root beer, his mom politely said "you need to have some meat first" then when back to her conversations. Next thing I know, the kid is grabbing the raw kabob meat off of the table and shoving it in his mouth! I kind of laughed and then told his mom what was going on. She ran over too him and stopped him. But I couldn't help but think that if he wasn't so hyped up on the sugar that he never got, he wouldn't have tried to eat raw meat. My motto is All things in moderation.
ReplyDelete