Hasn't The Boy Done Well???
By mummymo
@mummymo (23706)
February 21, 2008 6:47pm CST
My 14 year old son came home from church a few weeks ago and announced that he was going to give up chocolate for Lent. I am ashamed to admit it but I rolled my eyes and doubted he would last a day! I don't think he realised just how many temptations there would be around him every day- even down to not being able to have his favourite chocolate milk shake and every ice cream we have in the house has chocolate in it!
i am glad to say I have been proved wrong as he has now lasted more than 2 weeks and is determined to last the full 40 days! i am SO proud of him as he doesn't usually have so much willpower - specially as his 6 year old sister is constantly wandering around teasing him with chocolate!
So I was wondering what would you guys give up if you were going to do this? Do you think you would last? i am so proud of my son but so worried that he will gorge on Easter eggs till he is sick when lent is over! lol xxxx
10 people like this
25 responses
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
22 Feb 08
wow! i couldnt give up chocolate for that long.. If i decided to give up something for lent, i'd cheat and give up something i dont like... like lima beans lOl!!
My mother and father in laws are doing the lent thing too, as someone who is not religious and has never been taught or learned anything about any religions, i have no idea really why people do it.. but cheers! I think they gave up potatoes, and something else.. darn it. i forget, but they are loosing weight doing it! so that's a bonus ;)
Congrats to your son mummy ;) I hope he doesn't make himself sick at easter time too! ;)
2 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
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22 Feb 08
Well sweety I didn't really have a religious upbringing but I have always had a christian faith, both my children have a very strong faith too! I have never really done the lent thing but my son wanted to do it - no one pushed him into it in anyway - think that makes it more special! Alot of people think that only Catholics give up something for lent buty that isn't the case - many Christians do. I will explain about it if you like - just lket me know - I didn't want to stuff that down your throat! xxx
1 person likes this
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
22 Feb 08
My in laws are christians as well not catholic, so i assumed it was a christian thing to be honest! lol. Well i guess if i was that curious about it i would have asked them when they told me about it so to save you probably a lot of typing.. and me a lot of reading, i'll pass mummy ;) Thanks for the offer though hun, and thanks for asking first ;)
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
22 Feb 08
That is amazing for a 14 year old mummymo! Good on him for giving up chocolate, that is very hard for any kid to give up!!
The hardest thing I would find hard to give up is coffee - that I can't live without!
@mummymo (23706)
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22 Feb 08
I know how you feel maddysmommy and I agree - i need my coffee and my coke - without caffeine I am a mess! lol I am proud of him and feel bad that I underestimated him when he decided he was going to do this! How is hubby getting along with his new regime - and you guys of course as I know you are trying to use the same diet! Hugsxxx
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
22 Feb 08
Its been tough mummymo. I didn't go to his second Diabetic Education session because I had Maddy and what we were doing in terms of counting carbs and sorts was all wrong. Apparently he was eating more at lunchtimes that what he thought he was allowed and also his blood glucose levels are still high. It started off quite well and then its been steady and not coming down. I think his meds need to be adjusted as well. He leaves for South Africa on Sunday so I hope he is going to be ok while away for two and a half weeks. Thanks for asking :) HUGS
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
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22 Feb 08
I am sorry that it isn't going as well as it was at first but I am sure it will just be a case of trial and error for a little while both with diet and meds and it will level out! I am sure he will be fine when he is away - just give a shout out if you are fed up or worried and I will be here! Hugs xxx
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
25 Feb 08
Hey did you have rain today?
Hm we had Sunshine
Sorry I missed your Call yesterday we went out for the Day I was climbing walls and going mad
The visit in the morning was planned anyway due to cars breaking down and that in the week but the afternoon one was a case come on Gissi we are going xxxx
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
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25 Feb 08
It has rained non stop here today and very strong wind too! Sounds like you had a good day! i was starting to get worried as I had tried to phone you a few times the other day and it was engaged and then yesterday you weren't in! I will try and phone you tonight or tomorrow to catch up! Hugsxxx
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 Feb 08
Well i'm amazed and incredibly impressed. This is a very big thing for such a young man to do.
I can readily understand why you are so proud of him Mo...I'm proud of him too. It's really doing my heart good to think of him being so strong. Well done.
@mummymo (23706)
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3 Mar 08
Thanks sweety - I have been reassuring them and i think he has eased up a bit on himself - after all he has done so well and it was a genuine mistake! Thanks for the support sweety! By the way had my epidural today and just out of hospital - had to stay a lot longer than I thought but I am in no pain for the moment and it is great! xxxx
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
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27 Feb 08
Thank you MsTickle sweety! He is distraught at the moment as he was at Youth (church youth group) last night and was quite distracted , there was chocolate out and he ate a small piece before he realised what he had done! He is really beating himself up over itbut I believe he was just thinking of domething else and totally didn't realise what he was doing and i am still really proud of him! xxx
1 person likes this
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
22 Feb 08
Isn't it great when they surprise you. Good for him. Worry about the cavities later. Enjoy this now. He may do something later to get revenge on his little sister. lol that's would I would be thinking about. Sorry i have a little sis and a brother too. Congrats! Let us know when he makes it :)
2 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
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22 Feb 08
LOL I am quite sure he will try and get revenge on his little sister but she is usually 5 steps ahead of him (and us unfortunately!) well she is a girl and thinks outside of the square! lol I am pretty sure now that he will make it and I will be sure to let you know how he goes! xxx
1 person likes this
@jhl930 (3601)
• United States
22 Feb 08
Well that is very good for him to do..I don't really know alot of people that could give it up that easily and for that long...I certainly know that I could never do that because it is like an addiction..you just have to have it lol But I don't think he will make himself sick..just keep an eye out on what he eats and how much he eats
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
22 Feb 08
wow good for him hope he keeps it up till Easter . and then dont get sick on chocolate eggs! .
Glad I dont have to give anything up wouldnt know what it would be I used to have some friend give up drinking the whole time and they made it ok but we would party hard before and after Lent lol hugs
1 person likes this
@katisaurus (1038)
• Canada
22 Feb 08
I would give up meat. I know it's a weird one, but I used to be a vegetarian so giving up meat would probably be the easiest for me.. Since I love sugar, and chocolate.
I'm happy for your son though! Most 14 year olds would find it impossible to give up something like chocolate, congrats to him! :)
1 person likes this
@katisaurus (1038)
• Canada
23 Feb 08
But but but!! I LOVE meat! It would be easy for me to give up, but once I got back in to eating it again.. oohh. soo good! lol
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
22 Feb 08
fantastic for your son, and he earns mortifications or his sister's taunting. Do let him know (in case you hadn't yet) that Sunday's are feast days so he may partake in the Chocolate then.
my son gave up all carbonated beverages (to include energy drinks, soda etc)
as well as all Candies... he buys some on Saturday to enjoy Sunday however.
my 1 daughter gave up art - which is difficult for her to do (crochet, drawing etc)
my other daughter is 5, she informed me she would give up drinking water. lol, yeah, I don't think so!
I would rather not talk about what I gave up however I will share with you one thing I attempted in the past that I found myself giving in several times during lent. It seems a small thing - but those small things are what really are difficult at times. I gave up scratching an itch. at times it is just an impulse though.
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
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22 Feb 08
Wow I hadn't realised that Sundays were feast days - I don't think he has either or I am sure he would have had chocolate then! Good for your son and daughter - sounds like they are doing well, I love your youngests idea though - that is soo cute - it actually sounds like the kind of thing my Niamh (6) would say! She has so far given up about 10 things - each one lasts less than a day! I have explained to her that no one is trying to get her to give up anything but if she is going to give something up then she has to stick to it - and it has to be something she likes! lol OOh scratching the itch has to be a hard one - I know how awful it is tring not to scratch when you need to! Thank you for sharing sweety! xxx
@raydene (9871)
• United States
22 Feb 08
Awww That's my Grandson!
You tell him how very proud of him I am..
He is getting so grown up...
I could stick it out if I decided to do something like this..I have top confess when I was a child I would try to give up something I wasn't fond off for lent..Ofcourse I never got away with it!
Good for him..He is such a special boy!
oxxoxoxoxoxoxo
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
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22 Feb 08
Thanks Mom and I will tell him! i had hoped he would give up having attitude when he said he was giving something up but no he had to choose chocolate! lol I think it means a lot specially as it was his own idea and not pushed on anyone! Love and Hugs xxx
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
21 Apr 08
Hi mummymo! Wow, you have raised such a good disciplined boy! It is rare to have boys at his age having the will power to do sacrifices and I really admire your son. Just my thoughts dear friend. Take care and have a nice day!
@bellaofchaos (11538)
• United States
22 Feb 08
I have no clue what I'll give up for lent .. Oh I know letting my kids get away with murder. LOL!! Have a nice one.
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
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22 Feb 08
I'm afraid I don't do that anyway! i am an understanding Mum in many ways but I also have some quite old fashioned ideas on having rules and values from my kids! Having said that it has paid off so far as they are polite and respectful children (at least outside of the home!) I might give up trying to enforce my ground rules - i am sure the kids would love that! xxx
@bellaofchaos (11538)
• United States
22 Feb 08
My kids are very respectful and polite out in public. LOL!! it's just at home they tend to get more from me than with their dad. LOL! I just want to be a little firmer that is all.
1 person likes this
@asgtswife04 (2475)
• United States
22 Feb 08
wow, i am very proud of your son for you. it takes a lot of determination and great strength, especially at that age, to do something like that. that is so awesome that he has stuck with that. my biggest thing would have to be caffine if i was to have to do something like that and that would be so difficult for me. thanks for posting and God bless you and your son. He's doing a wonderful job and you should be so proud of him as i know you are. God bless
@asgtswife04 (2475)
• United States
22 Feb 08
your quite welcome and i know i couldn't. it makes me have awful headaches which in turn makes me a butt. LOL!
1 person likes this
@vulgarlittleprincess (919)
• Canada
22 Feb 08
Your son and I should team up, I also gave up chocolate for lent. I have to admit I did eat chocolate cake. My birthday was a few days after lent and my mother made me my favourite, chocolate cake with her home made icing. I know it is technically considered cheating but come on it was my birthday! Other than the birthday cake I have not touched chocolate at all, which is extreme tempptation for me as I do not really like white milk and would rather chocolate milk anyday. Last year I gave up meat for lent, all meat it was incredibly hard. I wanted to see if I would be able to go vegeterian. Aparently not ;p
I hope your son can last and his little sister doesn't tease him too much!
@mummymo (23706)
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22 Feb 08
I can imagine not eating any meat being hard - when i was a teenager I decided to be a vegetarian but i ended up fainting all over the place as I was so anaemic!
Well done on resisting the temptation of chocolate! I think anyone would understand you not being able to refuse your own birthday cake! My sons step dad wanted a chocolate birthday cake but I wouldn't get him one as my son had had enough temptation put in his way and done so weell so i got hima football birthday cake instead! Well done you and I hope that the chocolate deprivation isn't too hard for the next few weeks! xxx
@vulgarlittleprincess (919)
• Canada
22 Feb 08
That is so nice of you to accomidate your son with your husbands birthday cake and for your husband not to complain too much about it ;) The hardest part about not eating chocolate, aside from the chocolate milk of course, would have to be the cadbury caramilk eggs that are in stores everywhere! I love them so much. I am definatly going to pig on easter sunday :D
1 person likes this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
22 Feb 08
Hi mummymo! Wow thats amazing. Good for him. He sounds very strong and is determined to make it. I would say for me it would be sooooo very hard for me to give up my coffee.LOL No way could I do it.hahahahahah And also chocolate I love it way too much.xxx Tell him to stay strong!
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
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22 Feb 08
Thanks Terry - I have passed the message along and he says to let you know he is determined to stay strong! Funnily his little sister is very strong willed but he usually isn't - I think he is maturing and changing and although I am obviously proud of him I have to say I'm a little worried as I will have to lengthen the apron strings more! lol Hugs xxx
@Darkwing (21583)
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3 Mar 08
Oh, I'm sure you are very, very proud of him, my dear friend... and so you should be! lol. Now, Niamh seems to be doing exactly what Lauren would be doing at this time... aren't they little minxes between them? ha ha ha. They're great to have around though... so funny!
Of course, in my tradition, fasting comes more often than just Lent, so I'm used to it, and it involves giving up quite a few different things. But, that doesn't detract from your Son's willpower... indeed, I think you should reward him in some way... but NOT with a heap of chocolate, at Easter, for you can be sure he will be quite ill if he gorges on it.
Brightest Blessings and a ((((Hug)))) for your son. Tell him "Well Done" from me, would you, please, my friend? xxxxx
@mummymo (23706)
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3 Mar 08
I passed along the hugs and your congratulations sweets and he beamed! Thank you for understanding how and why I am proud of him! Niamh and Lauren together - can you imagine what a handful that would be? We would have loads of artworks and tales of weird and wonderful games and stories they invented for sure! Hugs my lovely friend! xxx
@siddharthlife (462)
• India
28 Mar 08
It is very heartening to know that he has the will power to avoid something that he likes to eat. It is said in the Indian scriptures that resisting the temptations of taste is the first step towards leading a higher life! lol! Anyway, I think it is very good that at a young age he has the minimum amount of self control with respect to eating.
I don't have too many weaknesses, especially in the area of food so it isn't a big deal for me to give up certain things even if I like them. I had given up eating eggs for about 2 years then started again on doctor's advice. And there are things that I haven't yet started doing like eating non-vegetarian food, drinking etc so I am not sure if I start and am able to give it up for a short period of time.
@mummymo (23706)
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22 Feb 08
I usually don't buy them chocolate eggs at Easter sweety (although they get plenty off of other people) We tend to make hard boiled eggs and paint/ decorate them then roll them down a hill if the weather is good enough or down the stairs(messy option) if it isn't! I also usually buy my children small gifts to celebrate. I think I will get him something nice as he really deserves it! xxx
@sick4muzick (816)
• Philippines
10 Mar 08
hello mummymo. It's been a long time! Congratulations :))) you have done a great job being a great mother to your son. Not a lot of children and adults for that matter would have the willpower to push through with it. I can give up not eating chocolate I guess but only if they're hidden from me! Not paraded every day in front of me! im happy for you. Have a great day!
@chillymullet (181)
• United States
23 Feb 08
Yes your boy has done well, I wouldnt survive a few hours without chocolate or any other sweets.
Make sure he eats though
