Thursday, January 27, 2011

Who Knew Juice Would Be Such a Big Deal?

So, apparently, it had been too long since someone flat out told me I was a bad mother.

First, let me just state for the record that I should know better by now than to be entirely honest on the Mommy Forums (not my SAHM board, but others).  Someone asked the question, "What does your kid drink?"

I responded that he drinks a ton of juice, because he won't touch water.

Apparently, that was the wrong answer.  I was e-reamed by a bunch of women I've never even met, and who obviously don't know anything about me.  "Juice is as bad as soda!" one mommy wrote.  "Is this for real?" wrote another.  One flat out told me that I was ruining my child by giving him so much juice - and the AAP would back her up.

Okay, let's step back a moment.  I've done my research.  I know that the AAP is now recommending lower consumption of juice in children.  But I also know that they're doing that for two reasons: 1) the high sugar content of most juices, and 2) childhood obesity.  The sugar, frankly, doesn't bother me.  Sugar, in and of itself, is not necessarily a bad thing.  I brush his teeth.  And if I have a bouncy toddler all afternoon, that's my business.  As for the childhood obesity, all I can say is: have you seen my kid?  The poor kid is always struggling to keep his pants up.  He could stand to gain a little weight.  Childhood obesity is on the bottom of my list of worries.

And besides, other than the juice (heck, including the juice), this kid eats healthier than I ever did.  He eats a balanced diet of carbs and proteins, fruits and vegetables.  So if he wants a little juice to drink with it, so be it.  And no one but no one is going to tell me I am a Bad Mommy for this one.

Although, I may or may not have told the ladies on that forum board to 'shove it'.  So, if that type of language makes me a Bad Mommy, I'll take it. :)

2 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, are you kidding me? Juice? You are so right about it being so low on your list of worries. It still amazes me how much some people think they know about raising kids. You and Patrick continue to do an amazing job of raising Miles. My only advice? Dont change a thing!!lol

    ReplyDelete
  2. The best advice I ever got was, "no one knows him more than his momma." You obviously know what you are doing and know that they have no idea what your child eats, weighs, etc. so they need to get off their high horse and let you do your job. I give watered down juice and of course Asher loves it. I love giving it to him because of the vitamin c and he won't drink just water, then again, he only needs so much milk, which he could drink all day, but we can't let him, etc. You've done the research. Don't let them get to you. You are a good mommy!!! :)

    ReplyDelete