Just wondering if you allow your preschooler to have gum.

I never let Riley have gum until he turned six.....however his little brother got it then too...he was almost 4.

__________________
Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

None of my kids ever have gum. I think it is just a waste. If I allow them to pick a treat, they would much rather have a candy bar. I think it is because neither my dh or I ever chew gum. I am not sure my preschooler would even know what to do with it if he had it. He would probably eat it.

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

Sure, at about 3 or so when they know not to swallow it. If that's what they pick at the store, I am fine with it. I'd rather they have sugarless gun than a pack of Skittles or something. I've never really had a problem.

Dd was allowed to have gum when she turned 4. Before that she would swallow it. Hubby and I don't chew gum but DD loves it. She's a constant motion machine. If they allowed gum in school she'd chew it there.

__________________
"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

I dont allow my dd to have gum because she would shallow it. She doesnt even ask for it because I dont chew it and she would rather have a candy bar.

__________________
~~Mikey~~~
-Matt - DH
- Catalina - 8/17/04

my dd (3) has gum all the time and loves it! We just make sure she has the sugar free kind, she knows she will not get any more if she swallows it. There has been one or two messes.... but that's kids!

My DD is 2 1/2 and she has been chewing gum for a couple of months now. Of course, she sees her older brothers and sisters chewing it so she wants to also! It depends on the child, how easily they chew/swallow etc, but for DD I think it is great. From experience with my older children, it is amazing how much time and peace and quiet a tiny little piece of gum can provide you when you have to do something that is no fun for the little ones. it gives them something else to think about that is fun for them.

I will add that when my children start getting older, especially the girls, I let them know that it it does not look good to be chomping on gum in public.

My daughter will be four this weekend and has never had it but two of her little friends have been chewing it since they were like 2 1/2! They never had any problems.

I don't allow my kids to chew gum. I think it's gross. I see people chewing gum (adults mostly) and it's just so unattractive. Bleh.

Oregano... when you mentioned that I thought of that interview with Brittney Spears, when she was pregnant with her 2nd and before she divorced what's his name.... She was chomping that gum and it was SO SO horrible! and it was on TV! YUCK!

Sorry I know it really has nothing to do with the post, just made me laugh!