Chocolate

It's a little unusual that a three year-old to not have had chocolate. I don't remember when I first gave my daughter chocolate, because it wasn't a big deal. I remember at first she didn't even like it and would spit it out. I believe in all things in moderation, and my daughter, now 8, rarely choses to eat candy even though I don't restrict it.

My daughter has a friend whose mother restricts all sweets from her diet. Then when the girl is with her grandmother, she constantly whines and begs for more candy and dessert, or sneaks it when she thinks no one is looking. She already is developing a weight problem. So yes, restrictions can backfire.

Just keep doing what you want to do.

BUT... if I were you... when you do "allow" him chocolate... DO NOT make it a big deal... NOR do "something super special the first time".... because, it is just chocolate. NOT a big deal. If you make it a big deal, he will think it is a big deal.
Just treat it like a normal everyday thing.

I am amazed... that you have even managed to avoid him from having contact with chocolate.... at his age.
But that is good... sugary stuff/candy... can be avoided for as long as you want... BUT... don't make it a big deal.
And DO teach him about what is junk food and what is healthy food....AND how to eat healthily.
Sometimes, restricting certain 'treats' or 'foods'... will then become a hang-up, and then the child will rebel.... and just not being healthy about it.

UMMMMM, I knew when I started reading the post that you were a first time mom and this was your one and only kid so far....

I personally think there is a tad too much control and regulation going on and your son sounds ever so compliant with your schedule and meal rules.

And please, don't think I'm over here feeding my kids junk or sweets, because we eat extremely healthy and fresh. My husband is Korean and so is 90% of our diet.

But, come on, live a little, give the sweet boy some chocolate this Christmas. Have your camera ready - he's going to wonder why you were holding out on him and never let him have it before.

Chocolate in moderation... what's wrong with it? Is there something I don't know about?
It has some caffeine.. but it's not poison.
If you dont want him to have it then dont let him.
It's hard in our American culture not to offer chocolate... it's a scrumptious treat that can heal many a woe. It is only bad if it becomes abused just like many other things we over indulge in.
He will not turn into a chocolate crack addict over the holidays... I promise. Just don't let him eat too much especially since his diet has been deprived of it for 3 years... his tummy might get upset or he might not sleep well. Those are only "mights", chocolate affects everyone differently.
I can't wait for someone to give me a box of chocolate butter creams.... now my mouth is watering for them, I might have to hit the Sees store all on my own today.

Okay, it's a little weird he hasn't had chocolate yet, but hey, everyone has their "things". Personally, I would just do it. I agree that you're building it up to something that maybe it isn't and you might make this big deal about it and then he's not going to like it, or maybe he will, but I would hate to see you upset over his reaction. My advice, next time someone offers it to him, open it up and give it to him. Don't make a big deal, just say here this is chocolate, you can try it if you want.

I respect that you want to hold off on chocolate and candy, that makes sense. But it seems that you have a pretty good routine and he eats healthy food so introducing these treats isn't going to completely corrupt him b/c you already seem to have it down. My daughter, and maybe it's just a personality thing, doesn't really ask for candy all that much b/c she knows she doesn't get it that often. Even if we have candy lurking around she might ask for a little bit but she knows the rules so it's not a huge issue. Remember that you're in charge and you've already set the stage for when and how much 'treat' to get so introducing candy and chocolate isn't going to ruin him.

He's your child so you can do what you want. personally, I don't think a cookie is going to put him on the road to the federal penitentiary! But that's me. :-)
Happy holidays!

around halloween this yr. he was 13 1/2 mnths. since u asked i think it is strange that ur kid hasnt eaten chocoltate. i understand that u want him to eat heathly and it sounds like u are doing a good job, but part of healthy eating is learning how to eat treats (and by treats i mean candy cookies ect...not crackers...crackers are not a treat) in moderation. if u dont teach him this he runs a higher risks of constantly binging on these foods when u have less control over him (teenage and college yrs)

i think making into something 'super special' is imbuing it with more awe and reverence than it deserves. you may be setting yourself up for a backfire.
then again, my own attitude toward chocolate, of which i've never been deprived, is also of awe and reverence.
:) khairete
S.

We like chocolate too much to not have allowed our daughter to try it. I guess it was after she turned 1, but I do not remember it being some big deal..

Of course since we provided all food, we had control over it.. You will too.

Wow, I can't believe you've kept chocolate from him for 3 years! I was expecting you to say he was around a year old... lol

We let our daughter have chocolate after she was a year old. Never should give it to them before then.

As others have said, chocolate & sweets are ok in moderation. You don't have to completely keep it from him :) My daughter is almost 5 and she generally gets one sugary treat after dinner. Of course there are exceptions for holidays & when she's with Nanny & Papa! lol

I am impressed! What about cakes at birthday parties, cookies at preschool, etc?

To answer your question- yes, it's a little strange that you haven't at least let him try it. You never know- he may not even like it! My son will eat a couple of pieces of a Hershey bar, but prefers vanilla treats to chocolate. Moderation is the key.

I LOVE chocolate. I don't remember the exact age that I gave my kids chocolate but it was before three.

I get what you're saying about the sweets. My kids are 5 and 6 and only recently had soda, and we stay away from candy. For me chocolate isn't quite the same thing. I think there are actually benefits of eating dark chocolate in moderation.

And I agree with another responder... part of teaching kids healthy eating habits it to teach how to eat in moderation. I know a little girl whose parents limit her pretty severely and now when she goes to birthday parties she gorges on sweets; so much so that she has vomited at the party.

Sometimes there are really good reason for limiting. Some kids are sugar sensitive, and sugar significantly affects their behavior. Not just candy and sweets, but food that convert into sugar.

Your son will probably be exposed to sugar before you're ready for it, so it might be a good idea to introduce it before that time comes.

I never made a big deal out of sugary stuff. My kids got a 1st birthday cake. They tried it. They didn't like it. They had ice cream for the first time at 18 months. They loved it.
I don't limit these things, meaning if they ask for it, and the meal is finished, they will get a piece. It is strange but my twins have had these things at the same time, and one loves chocolate and the other one doesn't. The one who loves chocolate will get it maybe once a week. I make the rules. I am the one who hands it to them if i think it's ok. They may ask for something, and if it is before mealtime, or if they haven't eaten well that day, or not had plenty of fruit, I will say not today honey. And that is all that it takes.
Around holidays, like now, I bake cookies (i usually don't) and they will have a cookie a day before bedtime with a glass of milk.
Is it strange you have limited him access to these things? Perhaps. My fear would be how he is going to react once he realizes they're there? I don't know. May I ask why have you made this decision? You know, teeth get brushed every night, so you can keep those healthy. I don't know, I am not sure why haven't you given him? Why wait until he's 5 or 6? What is it going to change then for you?

Hey, you are the mom and have ultimate authority to raise the child as you see fit. However, I do find it rather odd that your 3 yo hasn't had chocolate, and from the sound of it, candy, cake, cookies (regular, not toddler version), and such also. I understand about wanting to teach your child to eat healthy. Personally, I feel that part of teaching a child to eat healthy also includes teaching moderation when it comes to junk foods. I would be afraid that if you restrict his diet from any kind of junk food, he could develop an unhealthy hang up about it. He could already be wondering why other people eat chocolate, but he's not allowed. I hope that he does not see you eating either, as I have always disliked the "do as I say, not as I do". He's not mentioned, but what is your husband's opinion on this?

You received several responses from people that seemed a bit shocked. =) My kids are 7 and almost 5. We limit sweets -- and they've had almost no pop/soda in their lives. We end up throwing out candy every year -- or sharing it at my husband's work, etc. Anyway, they also don't freak out about candy/sweets. They know the rules -- they need to eat good fruits & veggies before they can even ask. We track all of our fruits & veggies on a white board, and when they reach their recommended level for the day (according to the food pyramid), they get a prize from our prize bowl. So...again, they know the rules & also know that we'll follow through with allowing them the treat or the prize when they make good decisions. They certainly enjoy their treats, but it's not a major problem at a party or grandparents' houses. They often ask for apples and peanut butter for a snack, or cheese & crackers. I wanted to establish healthy food "wants" for them...and I think it's working! :)

I hope that helps. I wouldn't make chocolate a big deal, but as your son gets older, enjoy it with him whenever you are ready. =)

It is easier to do this with a 1st child. It is great that you have kept it this long and probably really good for him. I would say, he is your child, go with what you want!! I know that by the time he is in school he will be exposed to more that you will have less control of...so if you want him to wait...by all means, do.

On the other hand, if you make it that it is a special Holiday treat, he should be fine.

Good Luck...

I'm impressed that you've been able to hold out this long! I try to limit how much sugar my son gets but nobody in the family agrees with me. My in-laws started offering my son M&Ms (without my permission) as soon as he could chew.

If your son likes healthy food, he may not care for chocolate much. My son just turned 3 and he prefers fruit, or sour snacks like lemon drops, over sweets.

I love your idea for making cookies together for the first time, that will be really special for him!

I guess it's a little odd that you don't let him have any of it. I personally love chocolate and couldn't deny my daughter something she saw me eating and enjoying. I do limit the amount and how often she gets treats.

I know that my mother tried to limit us as much as you did, but it just made me hyper sensitive to sugar so when I did get it I would go wild.

I let my little girl try a little of something new, then watch her reaction to it, if she goes bonkers, then she doesn't get any until she's older. I gave her about an inch deep of grape soda once around 18month of age and she when loopy. She didn't get flavored soda again until she was 3. Thanksgiving she actually got a full sippy of /Water/Sprite with dinner, she's 4 now.

It's really up to you. if he doesn't see it in the house or see you eat it, he won't really miss it.

Good luck.