This morning Matthew and I went to Bible Study, like we do every Tuesday morning. When we entered the nursery Matthew took one look at the blonde girl that was already in the nursery and immediately began crying. The last few weeks, Matthew has been having a difficult time with me leaving him in the nursery and last week I suspected that it might have something to do with this little girl. I shrugged it off and resolved not to make a big deal out of it, he will have to deal with bullies in life and the fabulous caretaker, Gracia, was aware of the situation.
After Bible Study, I returned to pick Matthew up and noticed that something seemed a little off. Matthew was hyper and whiny. Gracia told me that it was one of the preschool-aged children’s birthday and the children from the nursery joined them for cupcakes. She said that Matthew didn’t know what to do with the cupcake. I told her that he didn’t know what to do with it because he had never had a cupcake – it was his first. She then said that he only ate a few bites. I contemplated making a bigger deal out of the cupcake eating, but resolved to simply keep my mouth shut. I think that Gracia could probably hear the frustration in my voice, even though I was trying to hide it.
On the way home, I kept telling myself that it wasn’t that big of a deal and that Matthew would eat many more cupcakes in his lifetime. But the thought of the processed sugar, white flour and artificial colors pulsing through my organic baby’s veins started to get to me. When we arrived home, Matthew was not his normal self. He was very hyperactive and resisted my attempts to help him eat his lunch and get him ready for nap time. It took me nearly 10 wiggly minutes to change his diaper! Honestly, he is still upstairs flinging himself around his crib, refusing to nap… (updated to add: things just got quiet upstairs… I think he may have finally fallen asleep!)
Please understand that I am a realist and by no means plan on being a helicopter parent. I know that there will be times when Matthew is offered treats that I wouldn’t classify as food and he will eat them; however, at his age (20 months), he is not able to distinguish the difference on his own. That’s my job. I simply wish that I would have been asked if it was ok for him to have the cupcake in the first place. Who knows, Matthew could have a wheat, egg or milk allergy that the nursery was not aware of because the nursery children are not routinely given treats. That’s it.
What are your thoughts? How should I deal with the situation? Should I leave well enough alone or bring it up next week?
On a lighter note, we stopped by the Great Harvest Bakery in Linden Hills for the first time today and I am in love! I am always drooling over the delicious bread on Kath’s blog and decided that it was about time that I stop into our local Great Harvest for a peak.
Matthew and I shared a slice of Apple Cinnamon Walnut bread (made with 100% whole wheat), he and I deemed it delicious and picked up a *still warm* loaf along with a loaf of Dakota Whole Wheat, which made the perfect grass-fed cheddar + red pepper + avocado + lettuce sandwich for lunch. In fact, the sandwich was so good that I may have another one before my Zumba class tonight.
On the way home Matthew snacked on a honey whole wheat breadstick. It was his first breadstick and he was so excited to eat it. He kept saying, “bread” over and over again pointing at his mouth and showing me the breadstick. It was absolutely adorable!
I also found out that on Wednesdays and Thursdays they have loaves of gluten-free bread, which we will have to pick up sometime for Allan.
Cupcake photo source.
I think it is definitely ok to let the nursery know that you do not want him to have those treats. i know our nursery has a checklist of approved snacks. i would also add a note if not already on his sheet that he can have only organic snacks and to get approval before giving him any “new foods.” I believe she probably thought it was not a big deal, however if your working hard to accomplish organic in your life then they should be respectful to ask about foods for your son. Good luck!
Thanks, Amber! It’s so good to hear from you. How are you?
First, I am so sorry that happened yesterday.
When G told me that Finn ate a cupcake, my thoughts went immediately to Matthew. I hope he is doing better today.
My advice would be to say something. I would be surprised if this was the first time G has offered snacks to the kids– there are goldfish and graham crackers right on the shelf. In general, I guess I would tell anyone who is caring for him that he has a restricted diet. I think you can easily let G know that you need communication about snack or you’d be glad to bring one that he can eat.
Again, so sorry this happened and hope it doesn’t leave a bad taste in your mouth (pun intended?) for attending the study. It’s been so great to have you there!
Thanks for your note, Elena.
This was definitely a learning experience for me. CCC is the first time that anyone other than family has ever watched Matthew and I don’t know why I assumed that they were not offered snacks during nursery time. I definitely will talk to G next week and always bring a snack for Matthew.
I love coming to CCC and will see you next week!
Maria
Speaking as a mother, I find that in day care situations, you usually have to fill out a form specifying any known allergies. So that covers your child as far as any life threatening or harmful food sensitivies. As far as food “preferences”, I would be inclined to give the caregivers a break on this matter; especially if they seem to be taking great care of your baby otherwise.
I agree, as he grows older, he will be able to distinguish the wholesome foods he typically eats at home versus the processed foods offered to him at other places; and the truth is, he just may be more than willing to eat the processed “goodies” when Mom’s not around. (I’m thinking of Mama Pea’s recent entry about secret Cocoa Puffs ( http://peasandthankyou.com/2012/01/24/cuckoo-for-cocoa-puffs/ ) at Grandma’s while she was on vacation. Or even my son eating foods at his grandmother’s house that I would never purchase.) 95% of his diet is wholesome and he knows not to obsess about the 5% or to make it the norm.
Thank you, Tonya. I did see Mama Pea’s blog post about the Cocoa Puffs.
Unfortunately, the nursery at the church that I attend Bible Study did not have forms to specify known allergies of the children and that is one of the reasons that most concerned me about the situation.