Put Books in Their Basket

I have a three-year-old daughter, and like any three-year-old, she loves the holidays. We decorate, watch holiday themed videos, and participate in holiday themed parties at her daycare and her favorite local attractions. However, as a mother who is concerned about creating healthy eating habits, the holidays can pose a problem. Many of them encourage the consumption of dubious amounts of candy.

Oh, I’m not one of those moms that completely bans sugar from the house, but I do restrict it quite a bit. I also look for ways to limit the amount of candy received during these highly commercialized holidays. We all remember that bag of Halloween candy that lasted until Christmas. By over indulging during the holidays, that stocking full of Christmas candy might last until Valentine’s Day, and that Valentine’s Day candy could last until Easter. It’s no wonder our country struggles with obesity, diabetes, and hyperactive children. We might as well give them a sugar IV and send them out into the world.

The public schools are finally catching on to the detrimental effects of sugar and systematically eradicating it from the lunchroom and vending machines. As an educator myself, I can tell you we have enough challenges without the sugar induced buzz distracting our students (not to mention the post sugar comatose).

As another holiday draws upon us, look for some alternatives for that Easter basket. Perhaps forgoing the candy all together is a bit drastic. Who wants to receive a fruit basket when everyone else is getting Cadbury eggs? We can cut back the amount of candy they receive, however, by adding small, inexpensive gifts that encourage learning and physical activity.

Here’s a suggestion I’m partial to . . . BOOKS! If you encourage your child to read while they’ re young, you will help them develop a life-long habit. In an effort to encourage children’s literacy, I will feature a number of children’s book reviews this week. With the plethora of options out there this spring, I will be posting more than once a day, so check back often, or subscribe to the Modern Matriarch feed to catch them all.

Happy Holidays and good reading!