Comments on: What Children Eat

By: Patty

Patty — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:55:02 +0000

Since I was a child I remember to eat eriser but not the one smell, pencil eraser and paper. I stop to eat paper but righ now I am 40 and still eat eraser I love the texture is kind of cronchy. I will like to know if is bad or not then I will try to find the way how to quit to eat my favorite weird thing. LMAO

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:32:56 +0000

Frances, Thank you for your courteous reply! When I wrote this, it wasn’t that I thought that dog food should replace the hamburger at my children’s plate. It’s just that I wanted to communicate that it wasn’t poison (with the exception of the discussion about tainted dog food– obviously if it’s killing dogs, it will not be healthy for my children). As for your being a happy Atheist, I think what my mom was communicating was that a Christian’s understanding of happiness is different than an Atheist’s, not that an Atheist never smiles or enjoys life or knows the satisfaction of living for others. However, if you’ve never had filet mignon, then a sirloin might taste like ambrosia. Likewise, the Bible teaches that there is tremendous happiness in knowing God, and having a guilt-free conscience through forgiveness of sin. Ultimate happiness comes from God alone. (In fact, the Bible teaches that God sends rain on believers and unbelievers alike, so I might argue that the happiness you feel is a gift from God!) I don’t mind if you disagree, but we both can’t be right. (You are the first person to disagree with me on this thread! Thank you again.)

By: frances

frances — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:13:49 +0000

It’s funny, I’m an atheist and I’m happy all the time. I think your mother’s logic was flawed.
Also, dog food is most certainly NOT nutritious. Do you know what they put into that junk?

By: As4Me » Feedback Wanted

As4Me » Feedback Wanted — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:09:14 +0000

[...] part I haven’t included is a list of popular posts. By far, the most hits are on What Children Eat, but that’s not exactly for spiritual reasons. Mothers worry about this topic, apparently. [...]

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:31:11 +0000

Eating wood and “non-edible” things can sometimes be a sign of an iron deficiency. Occasionally it can be evidence of other problems. Experimenting with textures, and flavors by putting things in one’s mouth is common in young children.

By: Ilah

Ilah — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:25:01 +0000

HiHi Michelle and Lee, I was sharing your site with a friend, I do not usually get a chance to visit much, (our children are all teenagers now… lovin’ it, too) anyway … I was reading about the pencil erasers, It reminds me of our dear friend Kayla (Your mother would know her for sure) she would even eat the house ..as a matter of fact I think she was caught eating the house once, and erasers,… Lee is there anything in an eraser / i.e., a mineral or the like that might a child be craving? Perhaps lacking in? In Kayla’s case, I guess there were some nutrient difficiencies… (My husband, when he was small, apparently ate bees… heavy sigh)
Our children did not eat strange things, I think I was just overly protective during that stage. My Michelle might have eaten a spider once.. hmmm.. long time ago…) That’s my 2 cents… have a GREAT Week! Your Friend (In Long Beach,)
In His Grip,
ilah

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:31:15 +0000

When I was young Elmer’s glue was my vice. Now I just make skin with it on my hands. As for eraser eating, not really a problem. I don’t think I would replace any eraserless pencils for my child though. If he needed an eraser he could buy his own, or buy pencils to replace the ones with missing erasers. I will allow my daughter to pick up her pacifier when dropped almost anywhere, parking lot, grocery store, etc. However she does not get to use it without rinsing it if it is dropped in the public restroom or my exam rooms. Sand not a problem, probably helps clean out the intestines on the way through, kitty litter or sand that has been used for those purposes, NO WAY.
As for pet foods, most dog and cat food is engineered to be very nutritious. I don’t usually encourage eating pet foods nor do I actively discourage it. Michelle is a very good cook and I figure one of these days they will learn to prefer her food. Note: we don’t have cats or dogs so my kids are not able to eat pet food on a regular basis.

By: Gina

Gina — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:51:08 +0000

This post is making me laugh, because I seem to remember that playdoh eating was forbidden when we visited your house while growing up. (But perhaps that was just when Tom was in charge… hehe)

I’ve got a nearly-8yo, and if he suddenly began eating pencil erasers, I’d probably just require that he use up the eraser-less pencils first. But this kind of thing I’d expect more from my 2nd son! The one who is frequently found chewing “found” gum when we’re out and about…*faint* (I’m fairly lenient with kids’ oral exploration, but cigarette butts and found gum are probably my limit! LOL)

Back to topic, however, he’s old enough to start in on a fun and interesting nutrition study. Perhaps you can let him research the ingredients of pencil erasers and make up a report/display on how they may or may not nourish his body! lol

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:15:07 +0000

Shellie– I’m the wrong person to ask about that! I tend to think that’s a matter of parental style. I’d wonder whether he’s not being a good steward in other areas (I’d be looking for a pattern). If it’s just a peculiar and isolated habit, I might give him only one pencil at a time, but I don’t think I’d forbid it (and I wouldn’t let him chew my own pencils up). Then again, my children aren’t eight, and I’m an odd mother to begin with. I don’t have a good sense of social savvy, so maybe someone who excels in non-nerdness will contribute to this fun discussion. Would anyone do something different?

By: Shellie

Shellie — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:00:03 +0000

What would you say about an older child (8 yr. old) who loves to eat the erasers from his pencils. Yes, he makes it a point to consume them, not just chew them out of boredom or habit. At this age, would you appeal to the aspect of “taking care of what God has given to us” or would you let the child gnaw away to his little heart’s content?