There comes a time in every moms life when she realizes that maybe she doesn't agree with how her own mother raises a child. Mine came with the great sugar debate.
I watch shows about how dangerous sugar is for kids (darn news!) and weight programs and shows of people trying to lose the extra weight. I always think that maybe I'll learn something or perhaps it will encourage me to be healthier. Sometimes it works and sometimes it just makes me think of what I don't want for my daughter. I don't want her to gain lots f weight, to have bad teeth, to need medication every day. I want her to feel good and be proud of who she is.
To this end I have begun to eat healthier, and to feed my family better. I also choose to limit the amount of sugar my child has. I do allow her more then I think is necessary because I either get too lazy or feel guilty, but I don't let her have nearly as much as her grandmother does, and further more, I certainly don't think that I allow her less then what other children have, or even if I do I don't think it means she should have more but that maybe other children should have less.
This starts debates and can get close to an all put argument frequently. I don't think that a preschooler should have straight juice, I don't think they ever need pop, and one piece of cake is enough for a day, they don't need a piece of cake, some pop, and pancakes with syrup all in one day. I am very frustrated with hearing "lots of other kids have more then that" and being told how unfair I am. When they are all 15 and one has diabetes and weight problems and the other feels like maybe mommy didn't give them enough treats, I know which parent is rather be. I am more interested in her long term health and forming proper habits then I am making her happy for 10 mins until the cake is gone.
So we agree to disagree, except I'm her mom and maybe sometimes that means I need to stand my ground an do what I think is best for her. Could I be wrong? It's possible. I think it's worth the risk though.
I watch shows about how dangerous sugar is for kids (darn news!) and weight programs and shows of people trying to lose the extra weight. I always think that maybe I'll learn something or perhaps it will encourage me to be healthier. Sometimes it works and sometimes it just makes me think of what I don't want for my daughter. I don't want her to gain lots f weight, to have bad teeth, to need medication every day. I want her to feel good and be proud of who she is.
To this end I have begun to eat healthier, and to feed my family better. I also choose to limit the amount of sugar my child has. I do allow her more then I think is necessary because I either get too lazy or feel guilty, but I don't let her have nearly as much as her grandmother does, and further more, I certainly don't think that I allow her less then what other children have, or even if I do I don't think it means she should have more but that maybe other children should have less.
This starts debates and can get close to an all put argument frequently. I don't think that a preschooler should have straight juice, I don't think they ever need pop, and one piece of cake is enough for a day, they don't need a piece of cake, some pop, and pancakes with syrup all in one day. I am very frustrated with hearing "lots of other kids have more then that" and being told how unfair I am. When they are all 15 and one has diabetes and weight problems and the other feels like maybe mommy didn't give them enough treats, I know which parent is rather be. I am more interested in her long term health and forming proper habits then I am making her happy for 10 mins until the cake is gone.
So we agree to disagree, except I'm her mom and maybe sometimes that means I need to stand my ground an do what I think is best for her. Could I be wrong? It's possible. I think it's worth the risk though.