What my family eats alienates me as a mom - Page 2

[Attached Mama]

I always brought our own food and sort of apologized - "my daughter doesn't do well with white flour and sugar. It makes her very hyper and cranky" or whatever. I usually would bring enough to share however. Also, having similiar things on hand helps. For instance, for "cookies" we'd get the baby teething biscuits which are oat flour (is that gluten free?), vanilla, baking soda and I think a bit of maple syrup or something. Basically pretty healthy. I didn't mind her having something like that once in a while. The key is to make the foods you are bringing for your kid ones that are very appealing to them. We'd always talk to dd before b-day parties or whatever too and explain that those foods would make her feel sick so we got this snack for her or we'd give her a pre-planned on healthy treat afterwards. Now that she's 4 we've lightened up a *little* bit. But not much

[Cristiaz]

Originally Posted by Attached Mama

I always brought our own food and sort of apologized - "my daughter doesn't do well with white flour and sugar. It makes her very hyper and cranky" or whatever. I usually would bring enough to share however. Also, having similiar things on hand helps. For instance, for "cookies" we'd get the baby teething biscuits which are oat flour (is that gluten free?), vanilla, baking soda and I think a bit of maple syrup or something. Basically pretty healthy. I didn't mind her having something like that once in a while. The key is to make the foods you are bringing for your kid ones that are very appealing to them. We'd always talk to dd before b-day parties or whatever too and explain that those foods would make her feel sick so we got this snack for her or we'd give her a pre-planned on healthy treat afterwards. Now that she's 4 we've lightened up a *little* bit. But not much

Oat flour has gluten by cross contamination. I would'nt mind her having that though...she's not celiac, I'm trying to prevent it by not feeding it to her any at all. I know now that shes old enough to explain things too. I know I'll lighten up maybe a tad more....but if she ever gets a hold of a dorito or cheetoh, I'd prbably pass out in shock, lol!!!

[westcoastmom]

As my kids are getting older, I find any kind of organized activities are hazardous. It surprises how much candy and junk they give out at schools, swim teams, dance classes etc.

I've now taken to educating my kids and teaching them why sugar is hazardous etc. I still ask schools and the like not to give out candy, and usually find their are other parents in agreement. But, some parents and kids are handing out all kinds of junk.

[Cristiaz]

Originally Posted by westcoastmom

As my kids are getting older, I find any kind of organized activities are hazardous. It surprises how much candy and junk they give out at schools, swim teams, dance classes etc.

I've now taken to educating my kids and teaching them why sugar is hazardous etc. I still ask schools and the like not to give out candy, and usually find their are other parents in agreement. But, some parents and kids are handing out all kinds of junk.

It's amazing that with the state of childrens health these days, they are not connecting the dots at all!!!

I have every intention of teaching my daughter about those "foods" and why we don't eat them. I'm already planning my speech! lol

[skyerae]

It's pretty bad out there sometimes. I could easily get overwhelmed and feel defeated. My husband is on the fire dept and sometimes volunteers at the school on breakfast days. He puts margarine and cheez whiz on 60% bread for at least half the school. Yuck!

I will also have to have to talk with my kids. At the moment I think of it like an allergy. If James was allergic to something then everyone would just accept that he doesn't eat it and other arrangements would be made. I feel the same way about all those "foods" out there and that is how I describe it to people. Hopefully when James is older it will just be second nature to avoid those things at parties and what not. I am thinking that homeschooling or unschooling is the way to go for us. I will have a little more control and since we'll be homesteading I will also have "slave labour". LOL

I live in a very small town, in a part of Alberta that is known as redneck country. I am the only mother I know that parents the way I do. I often feel very isolated. I worry that things will get worse as James gets older and people assume that I will feed him anything. It's not just food either, its extended nursing and gentle disipline. Even my parents don't quite understand. They seem to, but their comments on certain topics (but the instructions on the box didn't say to soak it) as well as the questions that they continually ask are starting to wear on me. I have already had to ask them not to yell at my son or smack his hands. My DH and I have even considered moving. I would hate to live so far from my mother, I have always said I would never move away again, but this is also important to me. It might be better for my family to live in a town where there are more like minded parents.

So, I understand the OP's feelings on the topic. I agree with other posters as well about how important it is to still be extending the hand of friendship. The only thing I can change is how I feel and what I do. Hopefully I will be able to find a way to compromise or adjust and also to find the niche I'm sure is around here somewhere. I just learned there is a group of ten or so families along the same road that homeschool, so there are alternative people around. I just have to find them.

[newcastlemama]

Most things we go to everyone packs food with them to have and share (we meet at parks and such). I used to be more worried about the whole thing but junk food is a small percentage of my kids diet that I decided to relax. I think part wellness is having friends and fun. I feel much better mentally since loosening up and my kids are still fine. Worry and lonliness are at least as harmful as sugar IMO


If you have a food allergy (like celiacs) then I would still be strict on that.