Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Take Back the TreatsWith Halloween comes hysteria over cavities, obesity and sugar highs. These are valid concerns, but why is Halloween doomed to take the rap for what are actually long-term, everyday issues? There’s soda in school cafeterias, alluring movie character toys tucked into fast food restaurant kiddie meal packs, and three-mile high frosting peaks on cakes at weekly birthday parties. And, while soccer is fast becoming the new national pastime for the under 12 set, the Game Boy lives on.
But back to Halloween. Probably, like most American kids, your children paraded through the neighborhood, dressed as bumblebees, miniature firefighters and satin-swathed, tiara-topped princesses. They knocked on doors, smiling shyly and reciting “Twick aw Tweat” with relish. From one house to the next, they made their way, faithfully posing and perhaps even preening, with encouragement from retirees reminiscing about when their now adult children were tots. They are rewarded handsomely for their efforts with candy, candy and more candy, as well as some packs of raisins, a granola bar and even a stray apple. (Bummer.) And you want to confiscate the fruits of their labors? Throw the results of their hard work in the garbage? For shame. We’re kidding, of course. But your kids are going to take some convincing to part with their stash. What’s a mom to do?
First, remember that you’re in charge. Remember when you couldn’t wait to grow up so you could make the rules? Well, now’s the time. Second, set rules, and consequences for disobeying the rules, ahead of time, so your kids know what to expect. This should help keep Halloween night bingeing under control. Third, determine and discuss the after plan.
Some suggestions:
How many treats will they be allowed per day? And when? After dinner or before breakfast? (They wish.) Must they earn their treats by eating their veggies or cleaning the playroom, or is candy their divine right? Stick to your plan. Don’t let them wear you down. And finally, set a date to end the sugar madness. Come Thanksgiving, whatever’s left goes out with the turkey.
When you arrive home, have each child dump their loot and discard the sweets they don’t like. Okay, that’s two or three less treats. Hmmm. Next, ask them to divide the loot in half. They get to keep half and the other half goes to charity. Find a charity, ship it to American troops overseas, dump it in the disposal. Whatever. Now for the trickery. How can you eliminate the massive pile that’s left? You could allow your kids to use candy as currency. Maybe your child forgoes a daily dose for an extra story at bedtime one night, or an extra half hour of television on a rainy afternoon. Or, kids could trade in their whole batch for a trip to a toy store for a non-edible treat. I’ve also heard of dentists around the country that buy candy for $1 per pound. My kids let my husband buy some of their stash, but not until talking him up from 10 cents apiece to 25. Five bucks for a bowl of Almond Joys and Kit Katx. It could be worse.
However you decide to deal with the onslaught of sugar this Halloween, remember, you can use similar tactics to train, trick, convince, cajole or bribe your kids to eat more healthily year round.
Baby's Breath
StretaKidz at StretaPower Yoga 1524 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury
Brand new to the Boston scene, Streta offers “hot” vinyasa yoga classes in high tech facilities that include shock-absorbent, anti-bacterial, bamboo flooring and a lounge with a flat screen TV. There’s a dedicated and brightly decorated children’s studio for classes, as well as for birthday parties complete with a yoga mat mascot. StretaTeenies helps new moms get back in shape while stimulating newborns’ growing muscles. StretaTots and StretaTykes incorporate playful poses with art and puppets to increase flexibility and concentration. Kids receive their own yoga mat as part on enrollment. Say ommmm.
Excerpted from the Holiday 2006 issue of Boston Common Magazine.
Baby’s Breath
Itsy Bitsy Yoga at Exhale 28 Arlingston St., Back Bay
Exhale, the go-to yoga studio and spa for an intense experience in a peaceful and luxurious environment, now counts babies and toddlers among their most dedicated practitioners. Peek into a Buddha-endowed, candlelit studio two mornings a week for a glimpse of the smallest seekers of spiritual soothing. The Itsy Bitsy Yoga regimen, founded by Helen Garabedian, is designed to help young ones feel comfortable and build confidence in their bodies. The program for newborns teaches new mothers to relieve stress through breath and meditation, and to instill calm and quiet to their babies through gentle movement and gas-releasing techniques. The sessions for tots are active gatherings with songs and the practicing of poses like downward dog, tree, and bridge. Here’s to early ecstasy.
Excerpted from the Holiday 2006 issue of Boston Common Magazine.
