Quote:
Originally Posted by lovelypurple
It is good that you're teaching your son about bad fats and whatnot, but, I think that you have a deeper understanding of what you're doing. You know that fats & sugars = bad, but it's okay to have them sometimes, and sometimes your body does need them. I don't know you're son, but, from what you've said... I'm not sure if he understands that. You know?
Oh he knows. Just today when he made the comment about McDonald's, I said, "Honey, every once in a while isn't going to hurt you. Everything in moderation."
I don't deny him treats. He's a kid. Kids like cookies and ice cream and sodas (although he has switched himself to drinking the sugar-free
) and he knows it's ok to have those things once in a while. Of course "mom" buys the light ice cream and reduced-fat cookies, but I don't tell HIM that. I don't make it an issue and say things like, "Enjoy your ice cream! It has less fat!"
In fact I really don't talk about any of this at all unless he asks. I've never shoved my knowledge of food down his throat, it's simply a learned behavior on his part, from watching ME. You know how kids are, they pick stuff up on their own. I've switched a lot of his foods to either light or reduced-fat (for example hot dogs - I buy the Ballpark white turkey franks; no fat and only 40 or 45 calories each. They're expensive but to cut back on fat and calories for everyone, to me it's worth it) but I never tell him that. He just assumes it's the 'good' stuff. That's never been an issue.
I don't deny myself treats, either. I don't believe in deprivation and I've never done that to myself. I still eat my sinful little favorites, just in extreme moderation. So it's not like I'm one of those stickler moms that refuses to let my child have goodies. That's just crazy. I've heard some mom's say they feed their kids nothing but vegetables and refuse to bring cookies and ice cream into the house while proudly saying, "My kids NEVER eat that junk!"
I think that's kind of sad. But that's simply my opinion. It's their choice what to allow their kids and it's none of my business.
So yeah, I think most of what my son has learned is-- well, like I said, learned behaviors. Plus from his questions, he occasionally asks me why I'm eating a certain food or why I won't eat that, etc etc etc.
Thanks for replies so far, girls, I've read them all and they're much appreciated!
And ennay, no, he's definitely not focused on weight. The only time he'll weigh himself is when I drag my scale out to weight
MYself, which is usually only about twice a month. He'll jump on and say, "Mommy, I weigh so & so pounds," then run off. He's never expressed a concern about his weight. He's more concerned about sugar and fat, lol.