How a Juice Box is Like a Fine Wine
Posted by Nona Nita's Blog at 7/6/2008 7:51 PM 
Categories: That's why grandchildren are so much fun!
Categories: That's why grandchildren are so much fun!
When I was six, my mom would let my brother walk me down to Gaul's, the deli around the corner. I would have to hold his hand the whole way and, of course, stay on the sidewalk. Being the goodie-two-shoes that I always was in those days, I remember taking these instructions literally and making sure that I didn't stray onto the grass with even a portion of my shoe. When we finally arrived, my brother would give the list of what my parents wanted to Mrs. Gaul to fill, and I would go over and eye my favorite thing in the store...the miniature loaves of Wonder Bread. I'm not sure if Wonder Bread sold these tiny loaves as a sample, a promotion, or what, but they fascinated me! Complete miniature versions of any packaged food was just my thing, and items like the cake mixes that came with the Easy Bake Oven, and individual Hostess Pies, were treats that could keep me happy for what seemed like hours. To this day I don't know what the draw was but I suspect that it had to do with the fact that in a world which seemed too big for me, someone had made something just my size.
It is with this memory in mind that I can truly appreciate my grand daughter's utter fascination with juice boxes. She approaches drinking from a child-sized juice box, with its skinny little straw, like an adult might approach the first poured glass of a fine wine. She wraps her little hands around the box lovingly, gives it several little squeezes to force the straw to bounce up and down, then takes a little sip. She involves herself in the experience to the extent that any other possible treat is not important at the time. "Some applesauce?" I ask. "No, I'm too interested in my juice box, thank you very much," seems to be her unspoken reply. Regardless of which juice it contains, the child sips it as if it were milk from the gods. She stretches it out to make the experience last, knowing that "one is enough" will meet her request for more. In this sugar-laden world, snacks have to be modified. I want to run to the fridge and get her another one, but I know that nutritionally one IS enough. Her disappointment resonates with me as I recall my own disappointment when the last tiny slice of bread from the miniature Wonder Bread was eaten. I remember wanting to cut a big slice of Wonder Bread into 4 little ones to fill up the little red, white and blue waxed paper wrapper. That way I could repeat the experience again, but of course, the adults wouldn't let me do it. Caught in a weak moment it suddenly dawns on me that I'm the adult now. Perhaps I could squeeze the juice box under water to fill it so that Sarah could drink water from the juice box... "What am I nuts?" I ask myself. The answer comes quickly. "I don't think so, after all, that's why grandchildren are so much fun."
For more on Enlightened Grandparenting visit Nona Nita's Nook
and click My Path Productions for ideas that support conscious living .
It is with this memory in mind that I can truly appreciate my grand daughter's utter fascination with juice boxes. She approaches drinking from a child-sized juice box, with its skinny little straw, like an adult might approach the first poured glass of a fine wine. She wraps her little hands around the box lovingly, gives it several little squeezes to force the straw to bounce up and down, then takes a little sip. She involves herself in the experience to the extent that any other possible treat is not important at the time. "Some applesauce?" I ask. "No, I'm too interested in my juice box, thank you very much," seems to be her unspoken reply. Regardless of which juice it contains, the child sips it as if it were milk from the gods. She stretches it out to make the experience last, knowing that "one is enough" will meet her request for more. In this sugar-laden world, snacks have to be modified. I want to run to the fridge and get her another one, but I know that nutritionally one IS enough. Her disappointment resonates with me as I recall my own disappointment when the last tiny slice of bread from the miniature Wonder Bread was eaten. I remember wanting to cut a big slice of Wonder Bread into 4 little ones to fill up the little red, white and blue waxed paper wrapper. That way I could repeat the experience again, but of course, the adults wouldn't let me do it. Caught in a weak moment it suddenly dawns on me that I'm the adult now. Perhaps I could squeeze the juice box under water to fill it so that Sarah could drink water from the juice box... "What am I nuts?" I ask myself. The answer comes quickly. "I don't think so, after all, that's why grandchildren are so much fun."
For more on Enlightened Grandparenting visit Nona Nita's Nook
and click My Path Productions for ideas that support conscious living .
An unfun thing about those juice boxes is the way they squirt all over when you put the straw in. Its a game... who can stick the straw in without spilling. The best things come in small packages.
I have added you to my Grand Roll, Nona!
Reply to this
It's true that along with the bouncing of the straw comes some juice. That's why I stick the straw in but I won't be able to get away with that for too much longer! By the way, I'm honored that you added me to your Grand Roll. You're blog is insightful and I enjoy it so I will certainly return the favor!
Reply to this
Check out a product Wateroos. It's actually flavored water in a juice box so you won't have to try to fill it up at the tap. I found them at Toys R Us - there is no juice - just water and natural flavors. Tastes a bit sweet and a bit fruity. Great way to let them have that juice box without all the sugar and calories.
Reply to this