Here it is a day after Halloween. Kids were dressed up in their
costumes ready to go out Trick or Treating. All that wonderful
candy they were going to get.
Now if you are like me you don't celebrate Halloween in the traditional
sense. My children dress up in nice costumes like Spiderman,
Batman, Bibleman, or Superman. We watch a Disney Halloween and
than I go and hide the candy throughout the house that they have to
find using flashlights. We also get with other friends and celebrate
and thank God for the harvest of the year.
Whether you have a traditional Halloween or not, most of the time the
children get loaded up with candy. My favorite candies are Reeses
Peanut Butter Cups or Snickers. I LOVE them. I LOVE
chocolate.
So here it is a day after Halloween and all this candy is sitting there
staring at me and the boys. The apples and oranges are in the
refrigerator ready to be eaten. But, they are already forgotten
by our precious children, who love all that wonderful candy as much as
I do.
This morning my sons came up to me after breakfast and asked if they
could eat their candy. The thought was, "Sure one won't
hurt." But then there is morning snack that comes during school,
and then dessert after lunch, and then there is the mid-afternoon
snack. So, not making my sons very happy I said, "No, have
an apple."
As the stay at home parent I have great stress and temptation to deal
with. The candy is looming all about and saying to me, "Eat me,
eat me." My stomach and brain are saying, "Chocolate,
chocolate."
It is important for us stay at home fathers to make sure that we don't
let our children pig out on candy. It is so easy for us to just
give them a piece of candy if they are acting up just to make them be
nice or keep them quiet. It is easy for us to give them that
candy because it is easy for them to unwrap. It is easy for us to
give that candy because the apple or orange in the refrigerator has to
be peeled or cut up.
Another thing that is easy for us parents to do to is walk by their bag
or that big bowl full of candy and pick one no two, well, maybe three
pieces of candy out. Then, of course, since you walked by it you
probably have to go by it again, so you have to pick up "just one
more".
As stay at home fathers, it is important that we watch how much candy
we let our children eat. The candy is not good for their teeth
and it is not good for their dietary needs if they over
indulge. Give them an apple, orange, or a vegetable, but
don't let them indulge in candy. We also have to remember that even
though we are the parents we are growing just like our children. We
just don't grow taller. I think I am still working on those love
handles from last year or was that the year before?
Remember, your children learn their eating habits from you. You
are their example. Be a good one. Make sure that along with a
little candy, your children get a lot of healthy snacks. Have
them ride their bike or go on a walk with them. It is important
that they get exercise as well.
Remember to give your child a hug and tell them that you love them. Bart Buskey, Meridian, Idaho email at:
