I was meeting with the entire staff at my daughter’s school. I gave my spiel about healthy nutrition, food choices, and making some universal guidelines.
The first comment I got was that when parents bring healthy snacks when they are the snack host for the classroom, the children don’t like it and complain.
First, I am thinking…..OK…… And then I think….who is in charge here? I have evidence of plenty of children LOVING healthy foods, even if they’ve previously been given junk food.
But I keep quiet.
I spin it to the positive.
Me: “I hear you, but I’d just say that if the children don’t like what is served, they just won’t eat it. When they protest, and it doesn’t shift what is happening, they might ACTUALLY try what is offered to them! And (gasp!) they might find that they like it!”
I gave the example to the group from the previous night.
My daughter had a playdate over, and here is how the discussion amongst the children unfolded (ages 6 and 5):
MermaidGirl: “Elena, do you like pomegranates?”
Elena: “No.”
(Sensing something was off, MermaidGirl continued. Goooooooooo MermaidGirl!)
MermaidGirl: “Have you ever HAD a pomegranate?”
Elena: “No.”
(good for MermaidGirl for knowing her way around that trick! ☺)
MermaidGirl: “They are SOOOOO yummy! You want to try one?” (excited to share a new find with her friend)
Elena:“OK!”
She then tried one of those little strange looking red nubs. (With an arguably unexpected little crunchy seed in the middle….)
Elena: (literally squealing) ” That is SO yummy! Can I have more?”
(side note: the next time I saw Elena’s mom about 4 weeks later, she commented on how all of a sudden, her daughter had to have pomegranates EVERY day)
I find that often teachers, other parents, or even other children, have an incredible opportunity to influence and teach children in a way that is easier than when that child’s parent tries. It’s one of the reasons why this program with the school has the potential to be so powerful!
Parents are busy, they are in a rhythm in their family, they are used to shopping in the same stores, buying the same foods, and cooking the same meals over and over again. As much as they would like to try new things, or look for cool ideas that the children will like, in reality, it doesn’t happen.
By recruiting some members of the community, we can all share in this quest. I might be able to open a child’s eyes just because I am not their parent. And we can all do this.
Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with this mission…..have you found it a challenge with your children?
Leave a Reply