I now muster up the courage to share a story of one of my low points in mothering. (Although even to this day I'm still undecided as to if I just may have done the right thing.)
What has made me decide to tell it is that maybe YOU are having a day where you feel like a bad mother. Then you will read this and you might say, "..well at least I didn't say that to my kids..."
About 2 months ago my kids had been the lucky recipients of 2 packages of Batman Fruit Rollups (courtesy of MY dad, which makes it even more odd, however, I in no way blame him for the following instances.)
I explained to my kids that they could each eat two that day. Milli fully knew what that means, Liam pretends to not understand it. So they decide to defy me (no suprise) and eat the whole box AND start on another. I discover the defiance, and grab the remainder of box #2, and huck (that means throw as hard as you can, in an angry way, slightly missing your target) it on top of my cupboards. Lips start to quiver.
I then tell them to get in the car (they do - they're finally listening) so we can go to the library, and decide to tell them what happens to people who are diabetic. I explain that you can go blind, and have your feet cut off. Blind meaning you'd need a dog to show you around the rest of your life (this scares Milli) and no feet meaning you are in a wheelchair. "Do you want that?" I ask. "Huh? For me to push you around in a wheelchair??"
Back, way in the very back of the car, they are both sobbing: "But I don't want my feet cut off!"
"I don't want to be around dogs!"
Later on I more calmly try to explain that treats are fine and good, but healthy things are important too. I teach them a little rhyme: "Thirty plus Five, Keeps me alive" (meaning 30 minutes of excercise and 5 fruits and veggies each day).
Bryan got home that night to kids scared of having their feet cut off. We tell him that we've learned 30 + 5 keeps me alive. And then Bryan says...
"And Sugar and sweets cuts off my feets."
The end. Now, no need to tell me I'm a bad mom because I already know it. Just go and feel a little better about yourself.
20 comments:
You are not a bad mother...I just got a great idea from you! You've scared me into teaching Henry about diabetes.
Oh, and I love the jingle! ;)
Mom had told me the Sugar & Sweets cuts off my feets and I had a good chuckle. Good lesson learned.
I never knew they may have to cut off your feet. I may use this one on Ju too ;). Easier to do here than there, I just don't let anything like fruit roll ups come into my house and Ju gets especially excited if I let him take a sucker home from a birthday party to eat at a later date.
You're not a bad mom.
I am laughing so hard right now! So funny. You gotta do what you gotta do right? I bet they will never look at fruit roll ups again without seriously considering the consequences.
i am in complete tears!! i think that's the best mom story! and NO that does not qualify you for being a bad mom. i love it!
Ahhh, no wonder they are scared of the fruit roll ups at my house! When I offered one to Liam he took it and rolled it in a ball and kept it in his mouth like a wad of chew and just sucked on that for like a half hour and refused a second one. He is listening! Sometimes I think that you have to tell worst case scenarios to kids to get them to listen.
And you aren't a bad mom, you have their feets' best interest at heart.
kella keeps chanting that rhyme and i love it! i am constantly using the worst case scenario to scare my kids straight!
no way. oh i love this. . . the hucking, the sobbing, the jingle. . .
HAHAHA, so hilarious!!! I am sitting here laughing hysterically.
So funny. Even they will laugh at this when they are older.
(am peeing my pants right now) FEETS? What a genius word! Way to 'drive the point home' Pam. Does our Halloween Bash need to be treat-free now? I quite like my BIG HUGE feets! ;)
You are not a bad mom, you are normal!
Good work. Believe me, I have told stories similar to this. Just remember the airport, "slap on the face" story and all will be well.
If thats the worst thing you've ever done, then you have a lot to catch up to me!!! Trust me your still a perfect mom in my eyes, and somebody that I definately look up to!
That is hilarious. Fruit leather is about all that I can get my child to eat. She will for sure lose her feets.
I can't stop laughing at this. Your kids are so funny, and the jingle, is HILARIOUS. Imagine Bryan of all people coming up with a funny little rhyme:)
P.S. Now I really am thinking about trying the no sugar diet, but I will probably do the one with a free day. Your off sugar, and Mindy, and one of my best friends have gestational diabetes. I feel I should do this not only for myself, but for all of you. Plus I was at the dentist last week, and after he told me how horrible me teeth were, he asked how much sugar I was eating. How about sending me a list of all the foods you eat.
i am adopting bryan's jingle!
you're a genius mom.
Don't be surprised if Child Protective Services show up at your door soon! Just kidding! I love that you are teaching your kids to be healthy. And that jingle is pretty catchy!
Post a Comment