mind gasping

It never fails to amaze me what other kids will say to your child. Much less how much information they know at a very young age. Kirsten and McKay came home yesterday and as any normal, typical parent does, I fixed them a treat to last them til dinner. A favorite in our family is cut apples and cheese. McKay had chosen yogurt instead. Afterwards Kirsten went to the fridge and asked

"Mom, how many calories does yogurt have?"

I was shocked. What first grader should ever have to worry about this. It's already such a problem in junior high schools that I never thought it would be in elementary at such a young age. Much less how does one of such age understand calories and how the body works?

I sat Kirsten down and asked her where she heard this and what brought it up. She said a friend told her that her chocolate milk had more calories than white milk and that wasn't good. Things like this I want to shield my kids from. It makes me so frustrated. Kirsten is not big in ANY way. It shouldn't be an issue.

Although, like I noted in my other post, Kirsten isn't much of a follower. So I told her that we all needed calories to live. That calories make us grow and gives us energy so we can run and jump and play. I told her that everybody needs them and that if it's brought up again for her to tell her friend this and not to worry about it.

I thought growing up was hard in my life. My heart goes out for all the kids now. I only hope that I can raise my kids with them knowing that they can be confident in who they are.