Kicking the Coffee Habit - Together  
by Ebony Dooley, Samaritas Communications  

Jessica was ready for the independent twelve-year-old foster kid. As a veteran foster parent Jessica was ready for anything a strong-willed kid could throw at her. However, Jessica was surprised when she learned that the pre-teen was in love with coffee. 

The foster mom of seven years empathized with her foster child’s penchant for coffee and in a way felt that Lola was justified in needing a ‘cup of joe’ in the morning given her responsibilities as big sister to a toddler. As a foster kid Jessica, surmised that Lola had spent a lot of time around doctors’ offices where free coffee was a little nutritional boost that she could freely access.

Jessica explained, “Lola had essentially been raising her little sister. And, in her mind she had been a mom. So, it made sense that she wanted her coffee in the morning. It was a little weird at first. I initially wanted to be like, ‘no, you can't have that’ and cut her off cold turkey style, but I thought a gentler approach was needed. because I was trying to also build trust and a connection with this child.”

With that in mind, Jessica came up with a plan to help Lola reduce her coffee habit. She started by educating Lola on the dangers of too much caffeine and how some small changes to her daily routine could lead to better overall health. Jessica also realized that she had to be real 
with her. 

“I started by recognizing my own reliance on coffee,” Jessica said. “Going to Starbucks together is fun. Frothy coffee drinks are fun. And, I wanted her to know that I got it. I liked that too! We talked a lot about what caffeine does to our bodies and why kids shouldn't have tons of it.” 

To underscore the seriousness of too much caffeine, Jessica decided to reduce her intake alongside Lola.  

“By doing it with her, you know, I decreased my caffeine intake with her at the same time. I switched us to half decaf,” Jessica remarked. “I kept reducing the coffee gradually until she didn’t feel like she needed it.” 

It took a few months to break the bad habit, but as a result of Jessica’s intervention, the pair grew close. Lola had fewer headaches and was even more open to healthier foods. They are Living La Vida ‘Mocha’ the healthy way.