One Family’s Method to Kick Their Kid’s Soda Habit
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iStock/Thinkstock(LIVINGSTON, Mont.) — Jonathan Sarisky proved that all it takes to avoid the lure of cold sugary beverages is the promise of cold hard cash.
The 11-year-old Livingston, Montana, boy made $500 by eschewing soda, juices and energy drinks for a full year and opting instead for only milk and water.
It was his mother Renee Shifley, stepfather Rick Shifley and father Jason Sarisky who made the offer to Jonathan to swear off sugary drink for the entire year.
Actually, Jonathan could have made $100 right away, like his brother Andrew did, and spent 2014 sipping the sweet concoctions that health experts have blamed on childhood obesity crisis and all the health problems associated with it.
But he opted for the bigger cash prize and managed to complete the challenge without cheating.
Jonathan’s mom said that waitresses in restaurants admired his willpower.
As for what happens now, Jonathan said he might indulge in a sugary drink once in a while but swears he won’t overdo it.
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