It called me by name…It whispered sweet nothings in my ear. It was shameful. I casually glanced over my shoulder to see if a passerby would catch me in my attempt to commit this most deplorable act. The crime of purchasing Sweet…Honest to Goodness, Tasty Treats for my…CHILDREN! The horror of buying sugar laden cakes filled with luscious, sweet cream filling.
They could become overweight!
Get Type II Diabetes!
Become an IV drug user!
Not be able to think straight once that stuff hits their delicate nervous system…
And then not get accepted into college!
These kids today are killing me with their healthy choices. Last summer a sweet, friendly tween quickly changed demeanor and gave me the horse eye after offering a juice box and the only water I had was on tap.
Later, I took a chance for a slumber party. I know the human nature quite well…Initial contact can be tough. People want to know what they'll get out of the relationship. Well, I brought the usual suspects…Coke, pizza, cookies, and a strawberry shortcake (for the fruitans). What began as "just looking" turned into an ape crazy whirlwind of girls coming back for seconds exclaiming, "I'm never allowed to eat this stuff." The guilt poured over me like chocolate drizzle on a sundae. I just supplied these girls with their first hit. If these girls ever share what happened tonight they may never be allowed to come over again.
What's killing me even more is how did they become like this? How did this irrational fear of Ding Dongs and the like come about? Not to mention, the irrational fear of public parks, apple juice consumption, the guy driving down the street, the guy parked on the street, and the guy walking down the street...The fear of simply stepping out of your house….Alone…Especially if it is dusk…and if it's dark….Forget About It! The fright and panic I have seen by both children and their grown up is enough to ruffle my feathers and my children's too. But I assure them they are safe. You cannot live in fear like Sigourney Weaver in Copycat. (Her reasons for living life as a recluse were actually legitimate, however, it was a movie and we do not need to instill that kind of fear in our children.)
Fear creates dependence. Courage builds confidence.
Perfection is a cover up. Messing up is real.
And by all accounts is one of the best tools for learning.
Believe me…I am learning stuff all the time.
Let them play…Outside.
Let them get dirty.
Let them be themselves.
Let them have recess.
Let them hang out with their friends….Unsupervised. It doesn't matter how cool you think you are…because really…You're not. I know…It's a shocker but there comes a time when we all need to find that out.
Let them explore…I'm not talking about the row of bushes in your front yard either. And let them eat a damn Ding Dong once in awhile.
