plan vi: no candy jars

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We used to have a candy jar in my home. It was actually a cookie jar; a clear one with a shiny silver lid. The lid had a bright red knob on it and it sat atop the refrigerator, high above the reach of the little kiddos.

I've never thought about that jar. I don't remember even thinking about it as a child. It seems, though, that everyone in my family remembers the candy jar. I can't even remember the conversation that led up to the question from my aunt: "Like the candy jar your mom never let you get candy out of?"

I didnt know what she was talking about so she told me about how sorry she felt for me because there was all that candy in there and my mother never let me have any. I remembered the jar. I didn't remember ever wanting the candy. Being as kookie as I am, though, I began to resent my mother. How could she be so mean?

A couple of weeks later, my cousin mentioned it. There were times when my mother would sneak my cousins candy while my brother and I weren't looking.

Let me stress here that I'm pretty sure I didn't care when I was a kid. I'd remember all this if I had cared. But because I'm such a freak, I got mad and approached my mother. She didn't seem to think it was a big deal. Really, I don't think so either. In fact, I was always kind of defending my mother to my aunt and cousin, even though I was getting mad at her. I don't think candy is really something children should just be shoving down their throats all the time. Although I do have a theory on feeding kids vegetables for dessert.

I know, I know . . . you're wondering how long I can carry on about a stupid candy jar.

If or when I have my own children, I will not have a candy jar. I will not have a big clear container of goodies just out of kiddie-reach. I'd rather not have large amounts of candy in my home at all. Unless it's Halloween, of course! I don't want to dangle that in front of my children's faces. If I have the candy, I'm going to let them eat it. I don't want people talking about me years later.

I don't want to be too mean. GRR!