Cravings: the parent's perspective - No Smoking Day

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Cravings: the parent's perspective

nsd_user663_20558 profile image
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I've just been thinking how much cravings are like a tantrumming small child. I think anyone who's had kids will know what I mean.

In the early days - this is every parent's worst nightmare. You're in a public place, let's say a supermarket, and the kid wants sweets and you've said 'no'. Oh, my God. All hell breaks loose. Small child commences screaming at the top of its lungs, throws itself to the floor, turns bright purple and looks like it might actually die from distress. Passers by are staring at you. It seems to go on for an eternity. The embarrassment and stress is excruciating. How did you create such a monster? You try to distract the child, and maybe you manage it if you're very lucky. But if you don't give in and buy sweets it's a miracle. By the time you get home, you're utterly and completely exhausted and want to kill anyone who even looks at you funny.

A week or two in - man, this kid is stubborn. For god's sake, this is a toddler and you're a fully grown adult. Shouldn't they be behaving by now? Maybe they're not the two hour long screaming snotting rages they were, but they're still pretty bad. Toys are getting thrown, there's a lot of shouting, it's bloody stressful, and you probably need a stiff drink, but you know you've ridden out the supermarket screamers, so you stand firm. You just have to be careful that you don't let them get the better of you if you're having a bad day, or you'll be right back to square one.

A month or so in, it's starting to look like this nanny 911 business is paying off. Oh yes, give me one of those starched uniforms baby! You're growing in confidence. So when the little blighter starts throwing a wappy you know what to do. They don't last long because the kid knows it's not really worth it, and they can be distracted pretty easily.

Several months in, and you're in control. The kid asks for a sweetie, you say 'no'. It might occasionally start with the old 'but mummmeeeeee, it's not faiiiirrrr'. You might even think, oh maybe I could give it a sweetie, one won't hurt. But if you've got any sense, you know when you're being manipulated. And god knows you don't want to be back to standing in the supermarket with a raging monster again. No way, no how. Life is SO much better now!

Job done! :D

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nsd_user663_20558
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nsd_user663_4625 profile image
nsd_user663_4625

Like it Hels, we must remember not to give in 'just for a quiet life'. :D

I've just been thinking how much cravings are like a tantrumming small child. I think anyone who's had kids will know what I mean.

In the early days - this is every parent's worst nightmare. You're in a public place, let's say a supermarket, and the kid wants sweets and you've said 'no'. Oh, my God. All hell breaks loose. Small child commences screaming at the top of its lungs, throws itself to the floor, turns bright purple and looks like it might actually die from distress. Passers by are staring at you. It seems to go on for an eternity. The embarrassment and stress is excruciating. How did you create such a monster? You try to distract the child, and maybe you manage it if you're very lucky. But if you don't give in and buy sweets it's a miracle. By the time you get home, you're utterly and completely exhausted and want to kill anyone who even looks at you funny.

A week or two in - man, this kid is stubborn. For god's sake, this is a toddler and you're a fully grown adult. Shouldn't they be behaving by now? Maybe they're not the two hour long screaming snotting rages they were, but they're still pretty bad. Toys are getting thrown, there's a lot of shouting, it's bloody stressful, and you probably need a stiff drink, but you know you've ridden out the supermarket screamers, so you stand firm. You just have to be careful that you don't let them get the better of you if you're having a bad day, or you'll be right back to square one.

A month or so in, it's starting to look like this nanny 911 business is paying off. Oh yes, give me one of those starched uniforms baby! You're growing in confidence. So when the little blighter starts throwing a wappy you know what to do. They don't last long because the kid knows it's not really worth it, and they can be distracted pretty easily.

Several months in, and you're in control. The kid asks for a sweetie, you say 'no'. It might occasionally start with the old 'but mummmeeeeee, it's not faiiiirrrr'. You might even think, oh maybe I could give it a sweetie, one won't hurt. But if you've got any sense, you know when you're being manipulated. And god knows you don't want to be back to standing in the supermarket with a raging monster again. No way, no how. Life is SO much better now!

Job done! :D

Unless they go shopping with their dads in which case no tantrum in the 1st place!!:D

*walks away shaking head knowing abuse is about to come my way* :o

nsd_user663_20558 profile image
nsd_user663_20558

Because they go shopping with their dads so rarely they usually end up getting crisps, a tweenies magazine, a cream bun and a new hat.:D

Because they go shopping with their dads so rarely they usually end up getting crisps, a tweenies magazine, a cream bun and a new hat.:D

I have a firm rule..................no new hats!!:D

nsd_user663_4625 profile image
nsd_user663_4625

I was going to post just a smiley face but apparently that is just childish :rolleyes:

Not shopping with you John if I can't have a new hat :eek:

Not shopping with you John if I can't have a new hat :eek:

You say that, but you can have as many crisps and cream buns as you can eat.................just no being sick till you get round to nanny's house!!!:eek:

nsd_user663_15147 profile image
nsd_user663_15147

Great post Helsbelles, espcially for those with kids! Love how much the first few days a crave feels like that supermarket tantrum... sudden and LOUD!

but jooooooooooooooohnnn!!! it's not faaaiiir, I WANT A NEW HAAAAT!

but jooooooooooooooohnnn!!! it's not faaaiiir, I WANT A NEW HAAAAT!

As I say to my girls, a new hat will do you no good in your pocket after I have knocked your block off!! :eek: Now behave or its early to bed for you! :mad:

jackieinv profile image
jackieinv

Brilliant, loved your story.

Jackie

nsd_user663_15147 profile image
nsd_user663_15147

lol, alright then John, you win this time ;)

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