My kids thankfully love the Clif kids "treats" (Z-bars and Fruit Twists or whatever) and then I try to make sure I buy their treats at Trader Joes...Stay as natural as possible, GMO free, and free of artificial coloring. Oh man, oh mom....I know this will only get harder as they get older. Who wants to be the only without Oreos in their lunchbox. Isabella's newest thing is whenever she goes to a friend's house she immediately asks for juice. We never have juice in the house, so she begs for it wherever we are somewhere she might have it.
Oh man!! Suggestions welcome!
I determine what "treats" Colton gets based on what "treats" we get. He does get a little juice now and then but that's because I love juice and drink it occassionally. I can't really tell him no when I drink it myself. We've pretty much stopped Magic Milk :( I think drinking that every day added to my belly and Colton was starting to get interested in it. Josh is pretty anti-sweets so they are rarely in the house; Colton only gets these exciting things at other people's houses. We were at Panera the other day and he started saying "Cookie...Please...Please...Cookie" I have definitely not taught him that word. It is amazing how quickly they realize what they think it delicious :)
ReplyDeleteWe are going to stick with the "sticker" route when it comes time for potty but I'll let you know if that actually works for Colton.
I love this blog-such a great way for me to learn new things and keep in touch with you guys!
Stickers were exciting for about a week...Hopefully you will have better luck! Even more so than seeing Jonah or I eat things, it is like Isabella just knows. We NEVER have juice in the house, yet she seems to know what it is and that everyone else has it! Logan is still easy, other than when he sees things he wants them. Little ones are just amazingly smart!---for the good and bad!
ReplyDeleteI am just glad you are still reading the blog! ;)
Kids DO get smarter the older they get. And it DOES get harder as they start to notice how their friends/relatives eat. We've made the rule that if the kids eat what Brandon and I determine to be enough of the "healthy" dinner, they can have a little sweet treat. Sometimes this is hot cocoa, other times it's a tootsie roll. I really try to buy only treats with no hydrogenated oils, no high fructose corn syrup, and no funky dyes. However, when they get parade candy or Halloween candy I do allow them to eat a little of that for the sake of normalcy.
ReplyDeleteCecilia has heard me say MANY times that the reason she doesn't get to eat the way other kids eat is because her mommy is a nurse who counsels patients daily on how to eat to lower their blood sugars or to lose weight. Just because most people do it doesn't make it healthy. I love my children and want the best for them and THAT is why they don't get to eat as much junk as they want. There are "oreo's" made without hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup that you can buy for special occasions. Remind them of the treats you DO allow. We allow our kids 1/2 cup of juice per day IF they as for it, but otherwise we try to curb the juice.
As far as the potty training thing...we used stickers for about a week with Cecilia. After that she was so proud of herself that they were no longer necessary. Isaak is more inspired by pennies so that is his motivator right now. Feeding kids (and adults) sugar/salt/fat makes them crave more of them, so you have to set your limit for them and be willing to stick with it; make it a household rule. Then for special occasions (visiting family out of town, birthdays, holidays, etc.) you can be a little more flexible. It will be hard some days, but in the end remember why you are making the choices you are making...LOVE!