Sugar Rush

I hate that too but my problem is mostly with the grandparents giving him sugar. I try not to give him too much once in a while is ok. Maybe sit down with the aunt and say I don't mean to sound mean but could you please not try to give my son sweets.

Been there, done that. My dh and I felt the same way as you about sugar, and while it wasn't always easy we stuck to our guns. Today our daughter is 3 years old, and with the exception of a very occassional scoop of ice cream/sherbert or a lollipop, she doesn't have much of a taste for sweets. Unfortunately I don't really have much advice other than to just say, stick with it. If this is truly what you want for your child, then hold your ground and don't let anyone else's opinions falter you. Your friends and family will learn to respect your wishes eventually. ((hug))

Good for you trying to see that your child doesn't get too much junk. I have lived this scenario and my family actually respects my position though you can tell it is tough for them. What I have done is I explain that I don't want my children to have those things and why. With my family, they have an emotional attachment to food. I know they just desire to feed them something because it makes them warm and fuzzy inside to be feeding my children. So I would get special snacks for my kids and have my family feed it to them. Then they got to go through the action of handing my children the food and watching them eat it with delight. My family still struggles with this at times, but we do have food intolerances now which my family now understands they would be physically harming my children to try to feed them things they can't have. So just realize that you are not likely going to change your family. They can get use to the idea that your child can only eat certain things but be sure to clearly explain it to them to help it sort of stick in their minds, and give them the foods that you will allow your child to eat. One of my cousins is so stuck on feeding = love that she literally thinks that when she is around any child she must be stuffing them with food...she also is obese and her immediate family is headed that way as well. Yikes! Keep up the great work and try not to let it get to you. You may have to explain it from time to time, because as I said you can't change your family. Most people are unwilling to learn anything new especially if it means shining a light on something they do and saying it is bad...ie, eating junk is bad. Good luck!

B. :)

A., I am the exact same way when it comes to treats for my little guy. I have a 15 month-old little boy who doesn't eat many sweets. I would say that 95% of the time he is eating healthy foods... fruit, veggies, eggs, meat, cheese, etc. When it comes to snacks, I try to give him healthy foods, too. But on occassion I will allow a cookie or something. You need to just stand your ground and tell the person trying to give him the sweets "no". It is your child and you have the ultimate say over what goes into his body. Hopefully they will understand. It may cause a little friction but it won't last long. Most people understand. I deal with the same issue with my father-in-law. He will try to give my son ANYTHING. It really gets frustrating, but I just have to stand up to him and my husband has to do the same thing. Good luck!

Don't let other people tell you what to do with your children. No way would I let my son or daughter have a sucker at that age. Now, my mother how ever would. I remeber the first time she gave my daughter a twizzler, she was 6 months old. I had a cow. A little bit will not hurt them, but there ar dangers of choking. Just simple reply I don;t think she can handle that right know, I think she's full. Be done with it. No need to dwell on it , it's your child not hers.

I have the same problem with my father-in-law wanting to give them all the sugar they will take. It is very frustrating. Like you I try to limit their sugar intake. Unfortunately, I don't usually stay when they go to his house so all I can do is tell him my wishes. After he doesn't follow them I let him know what I didn't like him giving them and then all I can do is not take them to his house for awhile. He does better for awhile after that but then goes back to the junk food. I think you should just express your reasons. "I am trying to teach him healthy eating habbits from the start and that is too much sugar for him."

Have you told the aunt that you don't want your child to have sweets? If not, just do so politely by saying "Thanks, but we don't allow our son to have that." If the aunt knows about the situation, but insists on giving it to your son, then just refuse politely, do what you need to do as a mom and don't worry about what others think. Good luck!

I understand totaly. my mom is the worst about it. "Oh it won't hurt" or "stop being so over protective" I just rolled my eyes and took the baby. it got to the point that I didn't go over there very much finally she asked me why so I told her that she doesn't respect my wishes and all it does is stress me out and the beby sinces it and so on. she did much better after that. maybe you could talk to them so it doesn't have to go that far. but if not stand your ground and don't let them try to raise your child the way they want and not the way you do.
I hope this helps good luck
Kathy

My advice would be to talk to the aunt before you go over the next time. She might not be fully aware of your views on sweets. You might even want to offer to let her give your son the Gerber Graduates snacks. That way she'll be able to give him "treats" while still respecting your wishes. If she's not willing to, I suggest accepting the sweet for your son and saying "Thank you! He'll really enjoy this after dinner!" - then put it in your purse & offer your son a more healthy treat.

Why don't you tell her that you believe that if you handle things right, your children will learn that sweets can be healthy. There are many goodies that have some nutritional value. Even pudding has milk in it and some can be made in a healthy way. Cookies can be made with less sugar and apple sauce in them a long with peanut butter. Just explain that you want to teach life long eating habits that will prevent a whole host of disease, not to mention rotten teeth.

Suzi

A.,
You sound like me!! Good for you for standing your ground. We are the same way with our kids and sweets. Moderation is the key to anything. Look at our rapidly growing obese society.

Well to me sounds like you did the right thing by providing him with alternate snacks and sticking to your guns so to speak!!!!!! Also some of those sweets pose a choking hazard for children his age!!

good luck S.

Continue to stand your ground! I had and still have the same problem with some family members. They need to respect your parenting. Good luck.

A.,

I know you may not want to do this but I have been there before and your going to have to stand up for what you belive is healthy and right for your own child.. You could always start out the safe way by saying I love you very much butttt when it comes to my child I would appreciate it if you would not ask me more than once if he could have sweets.. explain your feelings on sweets in moderation and that you have different opinions. Family especially try to spoil the child and send them home, and if you don't start letting them know your exact feelings about the situation they will continue to disrespect you and the health of your child.. Do not be afraid of what people think of you.. just remember that your child is going to be the healthy one ;)...A.

That's a tough one because I thought that limiting sugar didn't count on special occasions.

I mean limiting sugar at home is great but if you are participating in the treats then you cannot expect your child to be left out. If you drink pop when you go out to eat then you can't leave your child drinking water.

It's different if you have to limit the sugar due to health reasons but to deny him a part of childhood just makes the child feel out of place. I know because I was that child.