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carenkh · 11-14-2007, 05:47 PM

I have a slightly different take on this, which flies in the face of all the research about how addicting sugar is...

I am a radical unschooler, which means I support my kids wholeheartedly in what they choose to do. Part of this, for me, means no limits as well. No limits on TV, no limits on sweets, no limits on video game or other screen time. I really resisted all this at first! But TV! TV is SO harmful, and it sucks the life out of you! All that screen time means they'll be fat and unhealthy! And candy! Wont' they *just* eat candy all the time?! But I trusted the voices of people who had gone before me...

In terms of sugar, I decided to test myself. I would set no limits on myself. When I ate sugar, I wouldn't listen to that nagging voice that told me I was wrong, I would just enjoy it! So, for months, I had as much sugar as I wanted, any time I wanted it. Even... *gasp* right before dinner! I did NOT feel guilty. I did NOT feel like I was sneaking, or getting away with anything. Guess what? After a short time, my desire for sugar nearly evaporated! Keep in mind - this was never my goal. If it had been, I would have not felt good eating the sugar, and this would have created more of the "must have it now, since it'll be taken away" mentality.

Now if I have a brownie (and I'd love to have the recipe for orange brownies!

), I am very likely to have a very, very small piece. That's enough. Because I know that any time I want more, I can have more.

And the boys are responding in kind. They got huge bags of Halloween candy... and over 80% of the candy is still here. This year, I had to empty last year's candy out of the bags before they went trick-or-treating again. They know they can have it any time they want it. It doesn't create a false desire for it, as limiting so often does.

I love this way of life.

11-14-2007, 05:47 PM	#46 (permalink)
carenkh Family Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,800	I have a slightly different take on this, which flies in the face of all the research about how addicting sugar is... I am a radical unschooler, which means I support my kids wholeheartedly in what they choose to do. Part of this, for me, means no limits as well. No limits on TV, no limits on sweets, no limits on video game or other screen time. I really resisted all this at first! But TV! TV is SO harmful, and it sucks the life out of you! All that screen time means they'll be fat and unhealthy! And candy! Wont' they just eat candy all the time?! But I trusted the voices of people who had gone before me... In terms of sugar, I decided to test myself. I would set no limits on myself. When I ate sugar, I wouldn't listen to that nagging voice that told me I was wrong, I would just enjoy it! So, for months, I had as much sugar as I wanted, any time I wanted it. Even... gasp right before dinner! I did NOT feel guilty. I did NOT feel like I was sneaking, or getting away with anything. Guess what? After a short time, my desire for sugar nearly evaporated! Keep in mind - this was never my goal. If it had been, I would have not felt good eating the sugar, and this would have created more of the "must have it now, since it'll be taken away" mentality. Now if I have a brownie (and I'd love to have the recipe for orange brownies! ), I am very likely to have a very, very small piece. That's enough. Because I know that any time I want more, I can have more. And the boys are responding in kind. They got huge bags of Halloween candy... and over 80% of the candy is still here. This year, I had to empty last year's candy out of the bags before they went trick-or-treating again. They know they can have it any time they want it. It doesn't create a false desire for it, as limiting so often does. I love this way of life.