Out of The Mouths and Hands of Children

It began in earnest. Being invited to a Lego city/airport event near the kitchen made this baba feel very special. I had to follow them, I was told. These two radically changing grandsons were quickly becoming thinking people, ready to tell and show me the world in so many words and blocks..

Thinking for oneself is a critical life skill, of course, but remember dear children, your mom and dad are the bosses of you till you are 18. I will remind you. The moment to move to another locale this morning was followed, enthusiastically. How would the afternoon unfold? There was so much to say, show and explain to me. It was time for a break. Into the kitchen we went. I sat at the table replete with learning material. Their mom was a genius. There was nothing that did not excite her as she home schooled these  brilliant scholars in readiness for her visionary school of the future. Fractions were already on the table. Three hours a day. that's all. Cursive writing was on the menu, too, between sports, whales and butterflies. So many parts all in one. Anything, even pasta making and doughnuts were curriculum material.

The former three-year-old, now 4, went on about not drinking dairy. “Well, I replied, in my day that was what was offered and we drank for health and strong bones. It was my story back then. "But I also believe what your mom says."There was no choice then. We bought dairy products from a dairy, a close connection to the farm, a higher quality choice. Cabbage rolls and pierogies needed these toppings. The older boy - all of seven - began his tirade about glucose-fructose. You have learned that lesson well, my sweet boy. This sweetener was everywhere, I knew, the reason many products are not for sale in our family.

We went upstairs to see Legoland in action. They were anxious to show me with an intensive conversational landscape what was happening there. I asked why with every breath I took. Even the 'puppy' crawled underneath the bed to be near her brothers. It was action, born of words. More miracles to be seen and heard. Then it happened. A week later a look at the single serving box of Fruit Loops, in the hands of the 7-year-old during a family visit brought me to attention. Here we go again.

RFK Jr. had spoken about the food dyes ruining health and causing disease in America. In Canada it was a different story in a few cases perhaps. Fruit Loops had been the exhibit under cross examination today. More processed foods beckoned for that closer look. But there were so many more foods under the microscope. 

This child's red pen began circling the real food colours listed on the side panel, an exercise in homework, I thought. Such insights, Big words indicating the health benefits introduced him to another world of health and discovery. He showed me the proof, happy to know that in Canada, in one instance, anyway, a healthier choice had been produced. Nice touch but not enough. My grandson  seemed pleased at the revelation, nonetheless, And so we continued. ....