Sunday, November 8, 2009

Refusal

B has been to two birthday parties in as many weeks and hasn't had a piece of cake at either.

And not because I told her she couldn't. It was quite the opposite. I told her the cake was ok to eat - safe in fact and to go ahead a dig in!

She wouldn't budge. She had a slice at each event in front of her but made excuses at each (my response? I ate the cake for her - what else was I to do?).

But why did she really refuse?

Was it her sixth sense? Fear?

I'm thinking the latter. I think she's stuck in between being polite to her host and being her own advocate.

My heart breaks that she even has to THINK about this stuff at the ripe old age of 5. That she worries an innocent piece of cake could do her in. Even one her mom says is ok.

I hope and pray she grows out of this.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I know that feeling--of watching your child say no to a food even though it's been okayed by mom. It makes me sad too to see my son have to worry so much about a piece of cake (or anything else).

irideout said...

Hello! My 16-month-old son was just diagnosed with peanut and tree nut allergies. As you might expect, I've been on the internet ever since, doing my due diligence, trying to educate myself as much as possible. I came upon your blog, and I just want to say, I am so grateful! This most recent post just happens to touch upon the very image I've had in my mind lately - my little boy not being allowed to each the cake at a birthday party! Now I know I really am not alone. I look forward to reading your back entries, and will continue to check in in the future. Thank you!

Nancy R said...

My daughter does the same thing, so I'm glad to hear she's not alone. Many times she will bring it home and eat it here - just not in front of others. I try to look at it as her finding her way and advocating for herself...because when you think about it it's kind of awesome that all that education we've been providing is really sinking in and being put to use.