I had an interesting talk with a dad this morning.  He has an adorable 3 year old.  One day they were in a grocery store and someone asked if she wanted a cookie. It was the free cookie for your kids attraction.  Before this happened, he said, they used to have fun going to the store to shop for food.  Now, she associates grocery shopping with a cookie – she wants to go there for the cookie. "Let's go to the store so I can get a cookie." 

Has anyone stopped to think what message is being programmed into young children with this cookie bait?  Grocery shopping is now about free cookies.  Come and get a free cookie. Come to our store because we have free cookies for kids.  It it no longer about being together and choosing good foods for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.  Here, I'll give you this sugar filled cookie if you are sit quietly in the cart – really?  Are you using this behavior gratification for  behavior modification?  Cookies rule.

How many of you have been sucked into this lure?  How many of you choose the store you shop in because they give a free cookie to your kids?  How many of you say no thank you to the store and no to your kids?  How many of you say, let's go pick out an apple instead?  Please, think twice about how you are brain training your children. 

By the way, usually, these cookies are made with totally unhealthy, nutrient-empty, sugar-laden harmful ingredients.  You think it is free.  One day, you will be paying for this cookie habit.  Or, you can outsmart these stores and say no, or, stay away.

… for the health of your family,
ellen