My 6 year old just realized...
By jodylee
@jodylee (946)
United States
December 27, 2012 2:48pm CST
That he is the only one in his kindergarten class that does not have a microwave. We have not had one for many years now and he was very upset when he discovered that his classmates all have one and that they enjoy get to enjoy foods that he did not even know existed. I have tried explaining my reasons to him but he now has a list of foods he would like to try that are made for microwaves.... now what do I do... I certainly do not want to deprive him of anything and I am not going to buy a microwave just to please him. I am thinking we will buy some of the items and make them the next time we are at my parents home. Do you relate or have any advice on how to move forward on this?
4 people like this
8 responses
@marguicha (223099)
• Chile
27 Dec 12
I would not think that teaching a child my values is a sort of deprivation. I never took them to fast food chain although "everyone else" went. I never let them see some TV shows I did not think were for their ages although "everyone at school saw them". Truly, I do not think they were deprived of anything. They had parents that did what they thought was best for them and that is love. I have an old microwave oven that I bought decades ago because my husband came for lunch when he could and was a diabetic so he could not skip a meal. Now I use the clock. It has big numbers. I love them
. I cook the trreaditional way. A lot better and healthier. Plus, I love to cook.
. I cook the trreaditional way. A lot better and healthier. Plus, I love to cook.
@marguicha (223099)
• Chile
27 Dec 12
My children are both over 40 now. And I have set some rules for my grandchildren too. THe only thing I realised was that I could not beg my children not to smoke because I was a smoker. Example is better than words. I think they rebelled mainly about the time to come home from a party. But not that much. I guess we managed to make clear that we loved them very, very much.
@jodylee (946)
• United States
27 Dec 12
I know my values are what should be taught to my kids but you hear so many horror stories of people being fanatical about certain things and the kids rebelling like crazy. I just want to be even and teach them good things. I hope they understand when they are older that I just want what is best for them. It sounds like you are very comfortable with your decisions. Are you children grown now? Did they rebel against you?
@jodylee (946)
• United States
27 Dec 12
That is really nice! I can understand that actions speak much louder than words. I think back to when I was a young person and know that I rebelled on my parents in many ways. I feel that I am often trying to avoid that with my children because i have many things I would change if I could from my history. It can be hard to find a balance and find what works best in your family. It must be interesting to be now instilling some of those things on your grandchildren, what a cool feeling that must be.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
28 Dec 12
Hello jody and welcome myLot. Too bad that your son had too learn about all the rest of his class having microwaves. At his age he doesn't care about the fact that microwaves are unhealthy. He only wants to be like his friends. You might over cook the foods that your son wants to try. Over cook those "steamfresh veggies" and jimmy dean sausage sandwiches and they are so tough he won't be able to chew them. After that he may decide that microwaves aren't all that after all.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
27 Dec 12
I am answering under the assumption that you don't have one due to the hazards of using one. I would just try to explain why and how you are concerned about the dangers of using a microwave. I don't know what foods that is out there that you can't make on the stove or in an oven, can you clarify that?
@jodylee (946)
• United States
27 Dec 12
That is my basic reason for sure... but I really just do not like the way food cooks in them. He really wants to try "steamfresh veggies" and jimmy dean sausage sandwiches. Those are his top two which we make the very same thing on our stove. I have explained the dangers and my reasoning to him, which he understands... I think he just feels left out from his friends in a particular conversation and wants to be able to contribute to the conversation if it comes up again :)
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
27 Dec 12
That is understandable at his age, but I think he has a great mom for not cooking your food in a microwave. We have one, mostly because my husband wants to heat up his tea water quickly in the mornings, but most of my cooking is done on the stove...
@jodylee (946)
• United States
27 Dec 12
Thank you! I like my kettle for tea and it works pretty quickly :) I work hard to make sure my children are healthy and I think it is funny he wants veggies in the microwave and not popcorn. They are both learning at a young age from my husband and I and we are working as a family to keep each other healthy. I honestly have not missed my microwave at all but also know that I can't protect them from everything. They have to learn to make good choices on their own and not just because I say so, otherwise I am going to be in trouble in the end :)
1 person likes this
@anklesmash (1412)
•
28 Dec 12
It just shows how times have changed since I was a six year year old,when I was that age no child would have been upset about having a microwave when all there friends did.Though they would have been upset if everybody else had a toy that they didn't have.Though I definitely don't think that you should buy a microwave. Food cooked properly is a lot healthier and a lot more tasty than food cooked in the microwave. I'm sure this is just a fad and he will get over not having a microwave soon.
@jodylee (946)
• United States
28 Dec 12
That is what I am hoping, that he will move on to something else. I am trying to use this as a learning experience for him, sort of a if your friends jumped off a bridge thing. He is very understanding but at 6 it can be hard to be different. I am hoping he understands and appreciates my parenting choices! It is funny because we have never had a conversation about any toys his friends have that he does not...
@Orson_Kart (6775)
• United Kingdom
28 Dec 12
"Do you relate or have any advice on how to move forward on this?"
Yeah, just buy a microwave and join the rest of us in the 21st century. lol
Popcorn is great done in the microwave, as is scrambled eggs and jacket potatoes. More and more foods are sold to be heated in the microwave these days as time is precious and also it can be fun waiting for the ping.
Did you know that in Welsh Wales the microwave is called a Popty-ping. 
@nani4ajay (108)
• India
28 Dec 12
Tell your child about the problems that can be caused due to using of a microwave, so that he feel better, children don't know any thing we need to tell them with a soft tone, your decision to not to use a microwave was great.
@jodylee (946)
• United States
28 Dec 12
Thank you! I like the decision and until now never really thought of the social impact for my son. My friends all laugh at me for not having one, so I guess I should have seen it coming :)
We have talked a lot about the health of not using one and he seems to understand. I am hoping this phase will move along quickly :)
@allknowing (136540)
• India
31 Dec 12
I too do not own one as I do not like the concept of how food gets done there. Having said that now let's see how you can get out of the situation. Please do not under estimate your little one. They mean business!You indeed have a serious issue at hand
You could perhaps say that he should not compare himself with others and every household is different.He should be proud of his mother and say how special she is that she manages without a microwave! Sounds good? Ask him for the kind of food that he likes and try to satisfy him, but at the same time telll him that you decide what is good for him.
Firmness is the order of the day jody...
You could perhaps say that he should not compare himself with others and every household is different.He should be proud of his mother and say how special she is that she manages without a microwave! Sounds good? Ask him for the kind of food that he likes and try to satisfy him, but at the same time telll him that you decide what is good for him.
Firmness is the order of the day jody...
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
27 Dec 12
Micro waves are not good to use. I use on e here in my cafe only to heat the water for the maruchas. The cup of soups here. Thats about it. My son used it before more than I did. its not my thing to use here. Have a great day there...
