Here we go again with the neighbor’s mainstream (toxic) snacks.
If you read part one than you know that I educated my oldest daughter, Julianne (6), about her choice to come home and get a healthy snack versus the standard snacks at the neighbors. My neighbor had no idea that my daughter had never had a toaster pastry or sugar drink type popsicles. My daughter ran home the next day while they were playing to get organic apples for snack and I was SO VERY PROUD of her!
Then came today. Julianne was down at the neighbor’s again. Daddy let her go down there and she was there for quite a while. I needed to run to the store so I stopped by the neighbors and asked if she needed anything. She gave me her list: 2 gallons of Cow’s milk, the cheapest available and boxes of corn flake “fruit and yogurt” cereal. She then said, “I hope you don’t mind, I gave Julianne Cheese Balls and a Popsicle”.
I was stunned! I just had a conversation with this Mom last week. I summarized in about 3-5 sentences that my youngest, Johanna, had lead and mercury issues and has a seizure disorder. Her illness has brought a high standard of nutrition into our home and what I choose for one daughter is the same as I choose for the other. This means that I prefer they eat their own food!
So I went to the store and picked up her list and mine too (organic rice milk and fresh fruits/veggies). I also picked up some popsicles. They weren’t the organic version, but they at least have no artificial colors or flavors. I bought two boxes one for our house and….one for theirs. Yep, I sure did!
I brought down the neighbors milk and a box of popsicles an politely mentioned that I’m not comfortable with my girls eating artifical flavors/colors and since popsicles seem to be a daily treat while their playing that I thought it would be convenient if I kept some in her freezer so she didn’t have to worry about me being upset. I also said that her kids are more than welcome to them and just let me know when they need more. I kept a smile on my face the whole time 
Now here’s the icing on the cake: When I got home Julianne said that she was very sorry for eating the neighbors snacks and she started to cry. I told her she never has to cry over food and that nobody makes perfect choices all the time. Then she told me that the other Mom said that if she comes home to get her own snacks that she should stay home to eat them and then she could come back, but she will have lost play time. YIKES!
I’ll let you know how round three goes with the neighbor and her snacks after I cool down and decide how to approach my daughter’s perception of being punished for wanting her own snacks.
P.S. If you are my neighbor and you’ve decided to read this, please know I love our kids playing together, but just as I respect your choices for your children, please respect and support mine. Thanks!
NOTE: Want to see what I give my kids to eat on the run? Tastes like dessert and keeps my peace of mind.
Now that I’ve learned all I know (and I’ve learned how to heal myself naturally too late to have children—often much to my regret) I often simply feel grateful that I don’t have to deal with these issues. I can only imagine how nightmarish it can be.
I hope you find a solution for your daughter so that she does not get caught in the cross-fire…it’s a tragedy parents don’t know how they are poisoning their children.
thanks for stopping by my blog…it’s nice to know about this blog for my readers with children.