Food for Thought

Most parents raise their children with the knowledge that they should eat their plate of veggies before delving in the delights of dessert.

Such a task takes self-control, a character trait that children have very little of. Because they lack the initial willpower, parents help out by putting the cookies out of reach, insisting upon family dinners in which they can monitor correct eating, and offering explanations of why eating vegetables is good for you. This is because self-control is a learned character trait, a muscle that needs to be exercised in order to be strengthened.

The idea that “all kids deserve cookies” or “they are going to eat cookies anyway” doesn’t even dawn on parents. That’s because it’s absurd! Instead, parents are fully convinced of what is BEST for their children, and the responsibility of parenthood drives them to both teach and model habits that lead to healthy living.

But what if parents wanted their children to wait until after dinner to enjoy dessert, but were worried that they might not be able to resist the temptation? Would it be ok for the parents to then tell their children how to sneak dessert but avoid the consequences?

Let’s think about that. Wouldn’t the children then loose all motivation for waiting or even learning to enjoy vegetables, if they knew they could get away with sneaking dessert early? Of course! Our human nature is selfish and if we can take the easy road to gratifying our desires, we will!

What’s more, the resulting consequences would not be immediate. Overtime the unhealthy decision to fill up on dessert would have huge ramifications such as poor nutrition, costly dentist visits, chance of obesity, and risk of lowered self-esteem.

But sometimes it’s not the parents who communicate a permissive message, but others in the community, particularly those who sell the dessert! For example, what if the ice-cream man knew that your child wanted some sweets before dinner and would conveniently make dessert available without your knowledge? Doesn’t that undermine your role as a parent?

What if we were no longer talking about kids and dessert, but teens and sex? The stakes are no longer poor nutrition but sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy, preventable heartaches, and tainted reputations.

Are you a parent who holds up an uncompromising standard of optimal health in your home? Do you teach and model healthy relationship habits that will instruct your children in the area of self-control?

Or do you tell them to wait to have sex, but if they can’t…here’s a condom? What message are you sending them?

It puts new meaning to the saying, “Having your cake and eating it too.”