Member-only story
Why We Keep Breaking the Food Rules
On mothers, daughters, and defiance
A few days ago, my young daughter had her customary scoop of speckled vanilla bean ice cream for dessert, cleared her plate, and asked me if she could also have some chocolate chips. I said, “We already had dessert, sweetie. We can have chocolate chips tomorrow.” She pulled an aw man face and began to turn away — but before she did, I realized I wanted a few chocolate chips, too. I said, “Wait. Actually, chocolate chips sound good.”
She watched me open the cabinet and reach for the glass jar, her eyes wide, a grin spreading on her face. I unscrewed the lid and shook a few into my hand, and a few into her hand, and we tossed them back, chewing sumptuously. She said, “Can I have more?” I said, “No, that was enough, I think.” She began to turn away — but before she did, I realized I wanted more, too. I said, “Actually, yes, let’s have more.” I was laughing, and she was laughing. I unscrewed the jar and shook a few into my hand, and a few into her hand, and we tossed them back, both of us surprised and delighted.
We ate the chocolate, sweet and dark and silky. And I decided to expand the moment’s plentitude. My daughter watched me put the jar away…pause theatrically…and pull it back out, saying, “I think just a few more, for good measure…” Her face! I wish you could have seen…
