Do you ever wonder if you're normal?
I think all of us wonder if we're part of the mainstream or if we're a bit outside of the norm. And I'm sure even normal people bend to the right or left of a straight line now and then in certain areas -- after all, we all have our quirks (for me, all toilet paper must roll off the front -- it's easier to tear off) and we wouldn't be us without these pesky habits.
I went to an Elmo Party today with my girls, the kind of thing hosted by the city's Parks and Recreation Department for the summer. Mistakenly, I told my 4-year-old that the real Elmo was going to be there and she was quite disappointed when I found out I read the description of the program wrong... but that's for another entry.
What I found to be the most interesting part of this experience was observing the parents. For example, one eager mother bubbled on about how she had signed her daughter up for every class offered that summer... Dora's Adventure, Go Diego, Princess Party, Animals in Action, etc. Her enthusiasm oozed out of every pore like a toxic spill. I almost caught myself gawking at her. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great to be active with your children, but signing up for EVERY class seems like a bit much. My girls are in a couple this year just to get us out of the house doing something different, and I think that seems pretty reasonable. Filling our entire summer with scheduled programs, dance lessons, gymnastics and sports is a little much for me -- and remember, we're talking about 4-year-olds here.
In addition to over-scheduling her child, this mother began a conversation with another mom about the snack provided at the program: a small snickerdoodle cookie the kids got to decorate with icing, 2 mini-marshmallows and a few chocolate chips. I know it wasn't a healthy snack and yes, I strive to feed my children healthy food. Typical snacks in our house can be anything from fruit to crackers to a granola bar -- a treat will be chocolate graham crackers or some strawberry milk. I wasn't impressed with the snack, but it was a special occasion so I didn't balk at the cookie too much.
But not Super-Mom. Apparently, as she reported, there was more sugar in that snack than what her daughter got in one week. Another mother chimed in that "they just don't like eating this kind of stuff when they're not used to it." And "my son wouldn't even eat birthday cake because he doesn't get sweets that much."
Are you kidding me?
It's a 2-inch cookie with a tiny bit of frosting. And you're child wouldn't even eat a piece of cake at a birthday party?
I understand our nation is in the middle of a weight epidemic and that children develop unhealthy habits at an early age. And like I said, our house is filled with healthy foods -- fruits, veggies, whole-grain bread, lean meat, etc. But denying a child the opportunity to enjoy a treat to the point that they don't even LIKE it that much seems to be beyond the norm. Right?
Heck, maybe I'm wrong and what I perceive to be a healthy diet is not so healthy after all. I will deny this of course and anyone is invited to look through my cupboards and refrigerator to inspect our food choices -- I will ensure you that a nutritionist would be quite pleased... I'll just hide the Fig Newtons when she comes.
1 comment:
Hey I am glad to see that you are writing again. You seem to have the first person stream of consciousness style firmly in hand.
This post reminded me of someone in my family who has 2 children she absolutely smothers to death. Her husband is constantly traveling and basically provides a paycheck but not much else.
She will tell everyone, without hesitation, how to solve all of their problems. Funny thing is her kids are really screwed up. Not seriall killer level, but no ambition and complete entitlement when it comes to literally everything.
It's really kind of a running joke with the rest of the family. She basically did all of her son's homework and papers this year after they found out he was failing 3 classes, at a private school, and wasn't going to graduate. She is a Nurse and is constantly lecturing people on how to be more careful, but lets her kid smoke in the garage at the house because he's "18" and she can't stop him. Just once I would like someone to tell their kids something along the lines of "you don't pay rent, utilities, gas, or insurance. If you think you are an adult, then go get your own place and pay your own bills."
Well I am glad I got that off my chest. : ). I hope you continue to write. You really do have a smooth weekly columnist style that is relaxing, funny, and insightful all at the same time! Good luck on future trips to the park also, haha.
Scott
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