A Pop of a Rubber Band to Do the Trick? What Triggers You?

[image error]My daughter never ceases to amaze me. I’ve been talking lots here lately about her diet because diabetes runs deep on the maternal side of my family, and over the last several months, I’d noticed that she’d picked up lots of weight and bulges around her middle, but here lately she seems more slender and trimmed around her waist. I mentioned it to her and my husband because I am pleased to see it.

You should know that my daughter hates her annual pediatrician visits for fear of shots, so much so that she continually talks about it until the appointment date. I’ve told her one way to reduce her chances of getting more shots for diabetes related issues is to watch her diet, eat more veggies and fruits.

In years past, and on a daily school basis, I can note without a doubt, that my child WILL purchase potato chips, or an ice cream treat above her regular lunch tray. This is where the pounds most assuredly began to add up.

School has been in three weeks now, and when I’ve checked the status of her meal plan, I’ve noticed that I have more monies left on her meal plan than expected. She has not purchased extra snacks such as ice cream and/or chips. I must admit that I was shocked!

Today, I learned why.

As I was driving her to piano lesson this morning she told me that she wears a rubber band around her wrist at school, and during lunch time when she sees treats that she loves, she takes the rubber band, stretches it out, and releases it to pop herself with it.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This was the first time she’d shared this with me, and I was “taken a back,” to say the very least. She went on to say that when she does this, it seems to get her mind off the treats, and sweets that she craves, so that she can get through the moment.

Hmm – What a way to discipline oneself and train the mind not to yearn for something that is desired, I thought.

After her piano lesson, we went to the car dealership because I received a low tire indicator. Once there, she said, “I wish that I had a rubber band right now.” It took me a minute, but then I look across the way, and what did I see? Vending machines that were loaded with all sorts of goodies.

Because she’d done so well, I passed her a couple of bucks so that she could indulge for a moment, but she was a good girl and only purchased one treat for herself and used the other dollar for a mommy treat. Neither of us needed the treats, but at least my child is given it a good try.

Later in the afternoon, she asked to go for a walk in the park.

I am proud that my daughter, who will be 11 years old this Tuesday, is trying to problem solve ways to discipline herself from possible diabetes. The good part is that she is taking ownership of her own health which I’ve told her in past months was something that she had to do.

This act makes me wonder how other mindful tricks may help trigger children to do what is good/right.