I do my best not to have good treats in my house. My personal rule for treats is this: If I want it, I can have it, but I have to go out and get it. When I really want something yummy, I pack Logan up and we go get treats. Our favorite destinations are the hand dipped chocolate shop down the street, and the gelato cafe by Grandma's. We usually take these outings monthlyish.
I do keep some yucky treats around the house for Logan occasionally. He doesn't know they are yucky. I did the same thing in my classroom. When I gave the kids treats, I chose treats that I could resist. I do not have a weakness for some things (gummy worms, taffy, sweet tarts, jolly ranchers, hard candy, etc.).
Why have I resorted to this? Because if I have a bag of Almond Joys, a box of chocolate cake donuts, Oreo cookies, or a large quantity of some other delectable indulgence sitting around, I will eat it until it is gone. Some people can eat things until they are gone over two weeks, or a month. I eat it until it is gone in two days.
My brain damaged thinking in the moment is this: If I eat this, it will be gone, and then it won't be here to tempt me anymore. Wow.
In a moment of strength, I have been known to throw very yummy things away so I won't eat them. Ashamedly, I have also been known to pull things back out. Wow.
Logan and I love to bake on Sunday. I usually justify breaking my rule about going out to get treats in the name of a math lesson on measurement and some fine motor skill development. This week we made chocolate coconut cookies. I decided to only cook one pan and freeze the rest of the dough. I woke up the next morning and started eating the dough. After eating half of it, I just baked the rest, most of which I ate. Again, wow.
I have tremendous admiration for people who can keep a candy dish with M & Ms in their living room. Part of me wants to have things around, and learn to not eat them, so I can model healthy restraint for Logan. The other part of my does not want to fight the personal battle that would require.
