I have been all up in arms over the FDA food-coloring debacle. I have been trying to follow the hearings and wrap my mind around the idea that our government could decide that food coloring in our food is safe. Although other countries have already been labeling these additives as dangerous for awhile now. So, needless to say this all has been at the forefront of my mind. Flash-forward to this Tuesday-story time at the library. The Misfit and I arrive to find out that it is the library's anniversary celebration. There are balloons everywhere-which have become a recent favorite of M's. Once we are seated at story time Miss Nay-Nay (the librarian who heads up story time) announces that she has a special treat for all of the children. Mind you no child in the room is over 3 years of age. She brings out a cart of cupcakes. Turquoise, purple, yellow and hot pink iced cupcakes. Internally I sigh. Here we go...First off let me say that for Margaret's first birthday she did have a cake. A hot pink bug covered cake. She got to have a piece. I am strict with her eating but I do make exceptions. But this day it was 9:30am and I just didn't want her to have one. So, I sit there holding Margaret in my lap as all of the other mothers walk by us with their children jumping for joy. And then M starts to scream. "Margaret's turn!" Margaret's turn! pupcake! pupcake!" So, I get all sweaty and try to calm her down and then I feel all the icing covered faces turn our way. And then I just fold. I march up front and grab a turquoise god-awful looking cupcake and hand it to my sweet baby girl. She swipes all of the turquoise icing of the top and mushes it in her hands and wipes it on her shirt and then down the front of me. Immediately following this she hands me the cupcake and says "all done." Even though I folded and let the pressure of a toddler meltdown turn my good judgement in to mush my daughter had the presence of mind to know she didn't want to eat that crap. That, or she just thought it was playdough.
Do you make exceptions in your children's diet for parties and special events? What has worked for you and your family in these type of situations?
I feel your pain. We had a talk about this back in the day when the babes were still so little. I knew, even back then, that for me this would be the hardest struggle.
ReplyDeleteAt this young age, I am not really willing to make very many exceptions. I will make more as he gets older, but I feel right now that proper nutrition is vital to his development.
My trick is to always keep snacks with me for events like that. Especially his favorites. That way I can bust it out when all the other kids are enjoying their gluten-filled, food coloring filled goodies. He really doesn't know the difference and he is just happy to see his favorite snack. So far, it's worked pretty well for me :)
M is so smart! She already knew not to eat that grossness. And I can't believe how verbal she is! Wow!