Let's face it. We know we are role models for our children, but we
don't always act like it. In fact, I have developed furtive ways to
circumvent the "no-snacking-before-mealtimes" rule in our house.
Picture it.
You have been there before.
It is 4:30 p.m. You are putting your groceries into the car trunk, and
that bag of nachos is smiling up at you. You know if you open up the
bag and eat a few, your children will clamor to eat the whole bag adn
spoil your dinner. You surreptitiously open the bag, waiting for a car to
drive by to cover up the noise of opening the foil wrapper. You stuff a
few chips in your mouth and take a swig of that Coke you smuggled into
the shopping cart while your children destroyed the comic book section
of the grocery store. You wipe your chin free of any stray crumbs and
slam the trunk door. The deed has been done. You feel both shame and
elation.
I remember when my first child was only a baby. I attended a parent
support group and listened to the various stories of women who stole bits
of goodies while their children weren't looking. One woman wanted just
one swig of Diet Coke before work in the morning. She hid herself
behind the refrigerator door and downed half a can. At the time, my daughter
was only 12 months old and couldn't differentiate between beverages. I
marvelled at how desperate my fellow mom friend was. Quite honestly, I
judged her behavior and found it strange. Now, my daughter is five and
can smell Coke on my breath a mile away. I have resorted to the same
tactics my mom friend has.
Secret snacking has become an art form for me. I wait until my son
falls asleep in the car to rush to the nearest gas station for a soft drink
and a Snickers™ bar. Rarely indulging in such pleasures, I rip open the
candy wrapper and scarf the whole thing down in five minutes. No
sharing, no admonishing, no cavities. It is sad, and I admit it. I yearn for
the hidden pleasures such sneaking around brings. I am a Mom, and I am
only human.
Christine Louise Hohlbaum, American author of Diary of a Mother:
Parenting Stories and Other Stuff, has been published in hundreds of
publications. When she isn’t writing, leading toddler playgroups or wiping up
messes, she prefers to frolic in the Bavarian countryside near Munich
where she lives with her husband and two children. Visit her Web site:
http://www.DiaryofaMother.com.
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