A lesson learned!
If there’s one HUGE thing I have learned in my parenting adventures between having my first child (my daughter age 11) and sons (twins age 8), it’s that there is NO rush and NO need to introduce them prematurely to junk food or sweets and treats. I can’t deny that seeing the look on your 2 year old’s face when they have their first lollipop or popsicle is adorable and priceless, but later on down the road when they expect sugary treats and desserts as bribes in order to eat their dinner you’ll regret giving in so early on sugary sweets.
My daughter places great importance on dessert every single day and she has since she’s been a toddler thanks to poor choices I’ve made. Did I mention I’m a junk-food-aholic as well? For our daughter the standard groceries or cookies don’t count, they’re boring. Dessert is a specialty to her and if we didn’t buy it specifically for dessert or at the convenience store then it simply does not count in her eyes. My sons on the other hand, even at age 8, are still content with a cup of frozen blueberries, a smoothie, yogurt or dried fruit as their dessert. I do know that kids preferences and eating habits do vary by personality, however the eye-opening difference between mine is that I did not prematurely start giving my sons sugary treats for dessert and they’ve instead developed a liking for more healthy and natural dessert alternatives.
Stonyfield to the rescue!
Thanks to Stonyfield I am able to keep healthy treats accessible for my kids and even my daughter has given in and decided that Yokids Squeezers are an acceptable dessert in her book. I’m sure she’s waiting for the day they come out with a chocolate flavor, but in the meantime she’s loving strawberry and lemon.
Here are my favorite yogurt-reverse psychology tips and tricks!
If it’s frozen it’s dessert! One of the reasons the Yokids Squeezers count as dessert or as a treat in our house is because they freeze and you eat them just like every other ice-cream pop. It’s a gimmick but it’s awesome and works like a charm. In the fridge it’s yogurt, in the freezer it’s dessert!
If it has honey on it it’s dessert! Another of my kids favorite treats that also counts as dessert is plain Stonyfield yogurt with honey drizzled on top! They can’t get enough of it. So, if it’s got honey on it then it’s dessert!
If it’s Mom’s then it’s dessert! I regularly buy the Stonyfield Greek Super Fruits and everyone in our house knows it’s mine. It’s my favorite flavor, there are usually just a few in the fridge at a time, and they don’t usually ask or eat them. When all else fails I ask if they’d like one of MY yogurts for dessert and they jump with joy over getting to eat something they normally don’t get to.
If it comes in cool packaging then it’s dessert! The Yokids comes in Squeeze for older kids, Tot for toddlers and Baby for babes. Since my kids are on the older end of the spectrum for this sort of packaging it’s not something I buy regularly however it’s still something they think is AWESOME. When we do have Yokids Squeeze pouches they’re literally calling dibs on which flavors they get for their lunchboxes or for their after dinner treat. It’s totally cool for them to eat these any time of day but if they’re willing to call it dessert then I am willing to say “not until after dinner!” <—-see how sneaky I am? :)
With the holidays drawing near it’s more important than ever before to try and avoid overdosing on sugary holiday sweets and treats. You may not be able to keep them from cookies and cakes and gingerbread houses, but you can substitute Sontyfield for when you’re at home for regular treats and dessert time.
Stonyfield truly has a style and flavor for every age and stage. Check them all out here and then ask your grocer to stock the styles you don’t already have access to!
*This is a sponsored post. While I was not compensated monetarily, I was provided coupons and Stonyfield swag in exchange for joining their Stonyfield Bloggers Club! I hope you find my tips and tricks useful. Happy holidays!
I’m Julie, a former cloth diaper retailer who discovered a passion for the industry. Now, instead of selling cloth diapers, I advocate them and promote small businesses I love who sell and manufacture them.
I’m the wife of a fireman and mother of three. I have a daughter and identical twin sons.
