We took the kids - I get to say things like kids now - to a matinee showing of a movie about a frog and a princess (verdict: great morals, fun songs, but we couldn't remember the names of any of the characters afterward - so somewhat forgettable. Though a nod from me to Disney for allowing the characters to sing their own songs. It's been a while!).
Wyatt loved sitting with his own cup of popcorn in his lap. We brought him his own water, too - which worked for the first half of the movie. Then he noticed the big colorful cup with two straws sitting in the arm rest by mommy.
"Want this one, drink!" he said.
Okay - Wyatt has tried my diet coke, before. Mostly to show him that no, he really didn't want any of what mom was having. He'd take a sip, make a face, and spit it out.
So when he wanted to try the Root Beer that Bill and I were sharing, I held a napkin to his chin the same time I tipped the straw to his mouth.
The face came.
The spitting out of the 'yucky drink' did not.
He wanted more.
Okay, I thought. Let's try this again.
He took another sip, and I whispered to him, "See, Wyatt, you don't want any of mommy's yucky drink."
Yeah. Well.
His pupils dilated, he wrapped his little arms around that big cup, and started sucking in that 'yucky drink' like it was his last Christmas. I had to pry it out of his hands.
Consequence: a Wyatt dancing in wild circles arms held wide, running from wall to wall of the front of the theater, and pushing down each seat of the front row just to watch it flump back up, laughing histerically.
Man, that Root Beer hit his system fast!
Bill and I looked at each other with the same tone to our unspoken resolve: NO MORE ROOT BEER for the MONKEYFISH!
The next morning at breakfast:
Me: Wyatt, would you like water or milk to drink with your oatmeal?
Wyatt: No water. No milk.
Me: Really? You don't want milk?? (this was highly unusual)
Wyatt: No milk.
Me: What do you want?
Wyatt: WANT BLACK JUICE!
Nothing like a newfound obsession threatening to become an addiction to call to attention the indulgent vices I've been allowing my sugar-holic son.
That is a tricky sentence.
Yes, it's the holidays, but you know you're in trouble when your son requests cookies for lunch. So we're going to purge our home of sugar (which, honestly, will help me out in the quest for postpartum weight loss more than I'd like to admit. Darn willpower).
The sugar rush is both comical and frightening (really, a piece of chocolate did THIS to my son?) - and I know it's not good for them, but I also know it's a part of childhood. So how much is too much? When do you start to allow the kids to order root beer with their lunch? Because if I never allow him to indulge, sweets become the intriguing taboo and when he is old enough to get a job, he will go buy out the corner market's candy bar supply, and I'll walk in to a scene of chocolate wrapper carnage and a teenage Wyatt in a stupor on the floor. Drunk on that old Black Juice.
4 comments:
Sadly, now at my stage of life, I need the caffeine rush just to stay awake. I don't think sugar has any impact any more on energy. It just slips directly from my mouth to my waistline.
So I think you are doing well to help him shun such vices. When he's old enough, teach him why he been so sadly deprived of life's sugar vices. Perhaps he'll be wise enough to continue on because he sees the wisdom in it. And if not, well, there's always money to be made on The Biggest Loser!
Wyatt stories make me want to dance in wild circles with my arms held wide, laughing hysterically.
My parents solution to the sugar dilemma: we were allowed candy and soda on Saturdays only. And the occasional mid-week cookie. I still can't eat chocolate on a week day without feeling like I'm breaking the law.
Moderation in all things - Sugary things are a TREAT. Something to bribe or entice with (tinkle treats) They are part of childhood and Mormon culture (ever been to a function where they didn't serve some kind of sugar?) So we teach our children that we eat good things and occasionally,(like a special outing to a move) we get a treat. Or anytime you're at Grandma"s! :)
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