Theories

I have lots of them. In fact, I interview myself often. I ask myself, "What do you feel about such and such? Do you prefer A or B?" I am always very interested in my replies as well.

One theory is that children learn what you teach them. If you say to them, "May I have that rubber duck?" They are more likely to say, "May I have some orange juice?" Whereas if you say, "Give me that rubber duck!!" the child is more likely to say, "Orange juice!!" Though it may just be that I have a polite child. Another thought along this line is that people have a tendency to want to simplify words and concepts for children, to make it easier for them to understand. But they will understand what you teach them. (Within reason, obviously) Why is it people think "birdie" is more comprehensible to a child than "bird" I will never understand. Wook at the widdle birdie, so and so! And they wonder why their children are not keeping up in school. They need to learn English first!

Another theory, tested by others too, is that children are far more likely to imitate behaviors and actions than they are to respond to what they are told. I.E. although I've told my dd that soda is not good for you as it is full of sugar and has no nutritional value, she asks for it from time to time. Why? Because I drink it. In fact, I really did not realize how often I drink it until she started to want it too. The first couple of times she took a tiny sip of my soda, she obviously wasn't sure to make of it - sweet and fizzy.....but she has accustomed herself to it, to be like me.

I've got theories on everything, not just kids and child-rearing.

I theorize that Americans feed themselves extremely poorly. What I can't figure out is why. My daughter eats very healthy foods, in part because she has been offered healthy foods since she started to eat solids, and in part because they are her preference. It is very difficult to feed her away from home! Ever study a children's menu?? It's disgusting. Grilled cheese fried in butter, hotdogs on white buns fried in butter, macaroni and cheese.......and we wonder why we have a weight problem in this country!! I used to peruse the children's menu in restaurants for the fun of it, thinking that maybe this one would have a healthy, interesting option. Not a one does. So I order something for both of us from the regular menu. Unfortunately oftentimes the selections from that menu are all crap, too. So either she eats nothing, even when offered what I have, or she is so hungry she eats the crap. I am at a point, I feel, where I have to be very careful about continuing my efforts to provide her with heatlhy foods, despite the extra work that requires, rather that continuing to offer the crap out of convenience. Hey, if she can adjust that quickly to drinking soda, why not a McDonald's burger? I have to give credit to one restaurant. It is at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in Florida, but I can't remember the name. It had a dinner dish that had so many of dd's favorite foods in it it truly was too good to be true. It was healthy, huge (we shared) and delicious. We were both so happy. Why is that the exception to the rule??

More theories to come another day......