Archive for March 19th, 2007
A Few Of Our Favourite Things
How many children, at one and a half, I wonder, could have the following foods listed among their favourites? And, yes, these are favourite foods, not just ones they’ll put up with for want of anything better.
Olives (black and green), gherkins, pickled eggs, mustard, horseradish sauce, pickled onions, capers, vinaigrette-dressed salad.
I can only assume it’s the result of our rather strict policy on sugary foods – namely they’re not allowed any. Not, mind you, that this means they never have any. I can’t remember the last playgroup we attended where one or another of my girls didn’t sidle up to me bearing a corner of dropped biscuit and wearing a whattya-gonna-do-about-it-huh? look of triumph on her face.
And both J and I are guilty of having our resolve crack on several occasions. No parent wants to be the ogre who has to deny their child a little slice of happiness, no matter how good you’re convinced it is for them in the long term. Especially, if you’ve been caught allowing yourself that “little slice” when you thought they weren’t looking.
Plus eating an ice cream loses much of its enjoyment when you’re being regarded by three reproachful faces.
I always hated that “one rule for us” thing when I was a kid, though, so, as they get older and more aware, I guess I’ll have to either allow them to eat sweet stuff if I do or not have it either. What a scary thought.
No, on second thoughts, moderation is probably the key. Any member of the family should be allowed sugary foods… after 7 o’clock at night! I mean, what’s the point of making up the rules if you can’t make them wokr for your benefit?
Seriously, though, I do think moderation will be the way forward. Once Evie, Lettie or Jem are old enough to ask specifically for that stuff, we’ll have to come up with some arrangement. Otherwise they might end up like me: When I was little – maybe 6 or 7 – outraged at not being allowed more sweets, I made a promise to myself. One day, when I was grown up and no one could stop me, I’d eat chocolate for every course of every single meal for a whole day. And I did, a few years ago. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so sick.