About Me:

Aloha! I'm Wendy Kennar. I'm the mother of a seven-year-old son and a wife living in Los Angeles. I was a public school teacher for twelve years until a chronic medical condition made it necessary to leave my teaching career.

I've always been described as "quiet" - really, I'm just biting my tongue. I've got lots to say, and lots of thoughts to share, I just prefer to write them. That's the purpose of this blog. Each Wednesday, I post a personal essay offering my observations and thoughts.

A few fun facts about me: I've wanted to be a writer since second grade, when my teacher, Mrs. Jones, made me a "book" with a yellow construction paper cover. I have never learned to whistle, have always preferred sunflowers to roses, and have spent my life living within the same zip code.

Through the years, my writing has been published in the Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, United Teacher, GreenPrints, L.A. Parent, DivineCaroline.com, RoleReboot.org, XOJane, and Brain, Child Magazine. Additionally, my personal essays have been included in several anthologies, including: The Barefoot Review, Beyond the Diaper Bag, Lessons From My Parents, Write for Light, Being a Grown-Up: A User's Manual for the Real World, Ka-Pow!, How Writing Can Get You Through Tough Times, Breath and Shadow, The Grey Wolfe Storybook, and Sisters Born, Sisters Found.
I am a regular contributor at MomsLA.com, and you can also find me at Goodreads.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Feel free to comment and share my blog with others!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A Lie Paved with Good Intentions

I lied to my son’s pediatrician.  
At my son’s last check-up, we were asked the usual questions regarding our son’s eating and sleeping habits and the number of hours my son spends watching TV.  And I lied.  I knew what the doctor wanted to hear.  And, for the most part, I am doing everything my doctor would approve of.  But “for the most part” is not all the time.  There’s actually no such thing as raising a child and doing something “all the time,” unless we’re talking about loving a child and showering a child with affection.
There are days when my son watches a couple of hours of television.  He may watch a “Baby Einstein DVD” while I am getting dressed for work.  He may want to snuggle on my bed and watch the same Baby Einstein when I come home from work.  And when my husband is home with my son, I know the two of them will be playing some Nintendo Mario game and watching multiple Michael Jackson concert videos.
There are other days when my son and I won’t watch anything.  We’ll play and read and tickle.  We’ll cook and paint and do everything but turn on a television set.  That’s life.  Some days are more “imbalanced” than others.
Some days I eat several servings of fruits and vegetables.  So does my son.  Other days, he doesn’t want to eat, except for multiple servings of chocolate pudding.  And bottom line, I want my son to eat so I will let him eat 3 puddings in one day.
My son primarily drinks milk and water, and an occasional fruit juice with his babysitter at the Farmer’s Market.  My son loves chocolate, ice cream, French fries, and tortilla chips.  My son also loves carrots, cucumbers, apples, and watermelon.  
For me, it’s all about moderation.  My son will eat a bowl of ice cream and tell me when he’s had enough.  My son will eat from a plate of Johnny Rockets French fries and let me know when he’s full.  That’s when I know I’m doing my job.  My son understands the concept of eating until you’re full and knowing when to stop.
Likewise, my son will sometimes ask to watch tv.  And he will sometimes be the one who asks me to turn it off so we can go work on his circus puzzle instead.
So, to Dr. K, I apologize that I wasn’t upfront with you.  Please know, our lie was not intended to be malicious.  It was just one of those incidences when telling a fib was easier than telling the truth.  The truth is my son is not drinking soda, not eating Happy Meals, and not watching television in the car.  My son does know his first and last names, the letters of the alphabet, and shapes and colors.
My son is happy.  He is healthy.  
That’s all I can ask for.

4 comments:

  1. Honey,

    You are an incredible mother and Ryan loves you!

    He is a wonderful and healthy boy thanks to your love and care!

    I Love You!

    Paul

    ReplyDelete
  2. Somedays all my 2 two year old wants to eat is grilled cheese sandwiches and yogurt :) I can totally relate to this post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ryan is an exceptional child and all because of you.You are doing everything right.He eats more vegetables than most children his age and as long as he is eating that is the most important thing.He is a very smart little boy and he loves you completely.I am very proud of how you are raising him.I love you very much.
    love,mommy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ryan has never met a food he didn't like. To get him to try certain foods is another matter, I love Ryan and you very much. You write very well.

    Love, Dad

    ReplyDelete