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ClustrMaps
2009 Tue 10th Nov A Little Worried ...
Today I sent my boys (Hubby and almost-teenage-son) to the grocery store to get a few necessities (toilet paper/foil/milk). They came home with five bags of groceries and a case of Mountain Dew. In addition to the items I needed and the soda, they got beer, Pop Tarts AND two flavors of Toaster Strudels, potato chips, two boxes of hot chocolate mix packets, granola bars, a huge chocolate bar, a box of cheese danish, and for some reason I cannot understand, a 2 liter bottle of more Mountain Dew.
I guess I was not shocked that they had gotten a few supplies of their own, or even that they were all foods that could send some people into Diabetic shock I imagine, but I was surprised at how much they got! This is just for the next day or so, in their minds, but it has me a little worried about how they will fare while I am on vacation at the end of this month.
I am going on my first cruise with my BFF to celebrate both our birthdays, something we try to do every year or two when we can get away. My boys will have to fend for themselves for longer than normal since this trip involves me traveling to the other side of the country, spending a couple days with my dad before my friend and I ship out for 5 days. I am usually only gone for three or four days, so this will be different for all of us.
Since I am leaving shortly after Thanksgiving, I promised I would make the full spread for Thanksgiving dinner which will give them plenty of leftovers to eat for at least a few days. But once they run out of the good stuff, what will they eat? Hubby is completely capable of cooking wonderful meals, but after today I am worried that his judgment might be off, just a little.
I know they will have fun while I'm gone and they'll enjoy breaking a few of the "Mom" rules that are harmless, like staying up late and eating junk food. But how much junk food is too much? Is there a limit that can be ingested in a week? Does it go by body weight or emotional limits? I don't know the answer to any of these questions, but I imagine its different for everyone.
As for me, I love a good cup of ice cream or a slice of pie a la mode once in a while. If I'm being honest, I could probably eat them a few (5?) times a week if I was willing to live with the consequences, but I am not! My boys share a very fast metabolism and have the ability to eat as they please without gaining unwanted weight. They are both very active too, which helps a lot.
Of course, gaining weight isn't the only problem that arises with all that sugar. My son will be bouncing off the walls for a while, then he'll settle down into a very grumpy almost-teenager, which is no fun! I guess this will work to my advantage if Hubby can remember, before its too late, that balance is required for a very good reason and not just because Mom wants to torture everyone with eating veggies.
Hubby is a fantastic dad and I never worry about him taking care of our son on his own...ok, I do worry, but only because it is part of my nature, not because I think he's not responsible or capable! He truly is great, and perfectly capable, if not always completely responsible - but who is?
One time, when our son was about a year old, I came home from a night class to find all the pillows and blankets in a pile on the floor and my son proceeded to jump off the couch into the pile with a huge smile and lots of laughter. They were playing "stunt baby", of course! He survived that time, and had lots of fun too, so I guess I should let the worry go and trust that they will be fine. Just no need for ER visits or sugar comas...please?!
Does anyone have any funny stories about leaving their kids with the hubby and coming home to chaos? Or, pleasantly surprised at a good outcome?