Juice no more

The kids' juice consumption was increasing greatly.  We had always been cutting the juice with water, but over the years, the full-strength juice that comes in juice boxes, capri-suns and when we are at restaurants/friend's houses was getting a little out of control.

I just got done reading the book "Scared to Poop" and was inspired to give up juice COMPLETELY(!) in our house. Drinking plain water is very beneficial for the digestive system.  The more water you can drink in your day, will help your body in functioning properly.

I told Jeff my plan and he was a bit skeptical it would work.  The kids have grown very accustomed to juice throughout their day.  I decided to come up with some ground rules.

-We will only start this after the kids have consumed all the juice we've already purchased.  UNFORTUNATELY, we had just stocked up on a sale and had 3 big bottles of white grape juice.  Plus, we had an assortment of juice boxes and Capri-suns in the fridge.  FORTUNATELY, this gave us plenty of time to warn the kids what was coming.  Literally for weeks, every time I gave one of them a drink of juice, I'd preface it with "As soon as we are done with this, it's only going to be water from now on."

-The kids will continue to have their milk/smoothies in the morning and can have another one right before bed, but that's it.  We are not replacing juice with chocolate milk or smoothies.  No sirree! 

-When we are at a friend's house or restaurant, anything goes!  The kids will be allowed to have juice (full strength!)  if they want.  It will be a special treat and it still stays out of the house.

We've been officially out of juice now for close to 4 days.  I have to say, it has been the easiest transition ever.  All the warning I gave the kids paid off.  On Friday morning when Sam said she was thirsty, I handed her a cup of water and she said, "Oh, I like water now."  Whew, that could've so easily gone the other way.  I had sort of envisioned a drink stand-off and Sam not drinking anything all day until it was time for bed, when she can have a smoothie.

Score one for Mommy!  And of course, score one for Daddy too and helping to reinforce this.  These are good habits we are getting the kids in to that will hopefully stay with them their whole lives.

My work here is done.  Well, not quite.  But it feels good to come out on top for this idea.