an unexpected compliment

I spent some time today with a good friend who shall remain nameless in order to protect her identity and her safety...  and quite potentially her street cred.  While we were together we talked about this that and the other thing, got pedicures, ate lunch.

We were also really really judgmental of movie stars while flipping through a trash magazine...  that's what you do with your girlfriends in nail salons right?

That's not what I want to talk to you about though.  What I want to tell you is that somehow in the course of the conversation she bounced a parenting scenario off me.  Not raising any children herself she had a question about the correctness of a happening or 10 that she had witnessed and wanted to hear my thoughts on them since I try to keep my kid healthy and allow her sugar in moderation.

Oh. My. Gawd.

I can not tell you how monumentally proud I was.  I am.  I am moderate when it comes to letting my child have sugar and things that are unhealthy.

Oh. My. Gawd.

Most parents either think I'm a fricking nut because I don't allow my kid to guzzle caffeinated over sugared beverages and eat candy all the time.  And because she can't have juice or candy or sweets after a certain time of day unless it's a special occasion.  Some people think it makes me some sort of food controlling nazi.  The truth is I was very strict about it when she was little and she has just developed some very healthy and particular eating habits that make it easy to continue on that path.  It's true that if she asks I say "No" sometimes... but the truth is she doesn't ask often.  Usually she asks for fruit or veggies or bread or cheese for a snack.  Not a candy bar.

There are other parents who think I'm evil for letting the processed sugar devil into my child at all.

But my friend today...  she asked my opinion because of my skills at moderating.  I saw it as a victory for me and every other parent trying their damnedest to keep their kid healthy in body and mind.  Sure I want my daughter to have a healthy childhood, but I want her to enjoy it too.

So friend that complimented me SOOOOOOO much by asking my opinion and validating the food choices I help my child to make.

Fucking THANK YOU.