andreeodonnell

I am very new to "unschooling" and really need help with the following
situation.

I have managed to let go of the food control and letmy kids make their
own choices during the day as to when, what and how much they eat but
the problem I am having is that when they end up eating all of some
food item that we all like to eat (eg. honey) so then for the rest of
the week my husband and I don't have any for ourselves until the next
grocery shopping day.
How can I apply the unschooling principals so that we all can have some
honey but not control the quantity that they eat?

Sandra Dodd

-=-I have managed to let go of the food control and letmy kids make
their
own choices during the day as to when, what and how much they eat
but ...-=-

To remove arbitrary rules doesn't mean to create a free-for-all.

Make them food. Make fun, interesting food that they can eat but
that they don't have to eat. Don't wait until they're hungry and
then say "What do you want?" Create meals, create snacks.

If there's something they're particularly interested in, buy more of it.

There might be helpful ideas here:

http://sandradodd.com/eating/control



Sandra

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Pamela Sorooshian

On Nov 30, 2008, at 3:00 PM, andreeodonnell wrote:

> How can I apply the unschooling principals so that we all can have
> some
> honey but not control the quantity that they eat?


The problem you have is that you can't yet treat food in a light and
easy natural way. Even though you stopped having arbitrary
restrictions, you still have "issues" about food. That's probably
stopping you from thinking calmly and logically.

If your kids eat up all of something before you get any, then, if
financially possible, buy more of that thing.

If you want something saved for later, say so. I put post-it notes on
things at times.

Before you take the last of something, make a point of asking if
anybody else wants any. If you are considerate in that way, your kids
will become so too.

-pam

Robyn L. Coburn

<<<<then for the rest of
> the week my husband and I don't have any for ourselves until the next
> grocery shopping day.>>>>

Can you be more flexible about the next grocery shopping day? I get mine
delivered as needed.

Here's how I avoid running out of high volume use foods, other than the
really fast perishables. I have one "in the fridge" (or on the shelf) being
used and one unopened "in the pantry". As soon as the in-use one is done, it
immediately goes on the shopping list on the side of the fridge. I can gauge
when I need to shop again by a couple of particular items, such as mayo,
bread, hot dogs and buns and skillet meals. Maybe one of your standards for
adjusting your timing would be the honey.

Robyn L. Coburn
www.Iggyjingles.etsy.com
www.iggyjingles.blogspot.com

Sandra Dodd

-=-Can you be more flexible about the next grocery shopping day? I
get mine
delivered as needed.-=-

Robyn wrote that. It reminded me of the differences in availability
of shopping to different families. There are families in northern
New Mexico (probably lots of places) who live so far from town that
when they come for groceries they bring a couple of coolers, and buy
months' worth.

We live such short walking distance from a big grocery store that if
we need eggs or milk, it can be gotten without disruption to the cooking

Then there's the in between. But going to the store with me or their
dad was one of the highlights of our kids' lives--it was doing real
work with adults who loved them, and we could have a leisurely stroll
around the store and it was warm in the winter and cool in the
summer, and we could talk and visit, and they learned about the names
of things and how to weigh vegetables and where things come from
different times of the year. Incorporate the store into your
unschooling life!

-=-Here's how I avoid running out of high volume use foods, other
than the
really fast perishables. I have one "in the fridge" (or on the shelf)
being
used and one unopened "in the pantry". As soon as the in-use one is
done, it
immediately goes on the shopping list on the side of the fridge.-=-

We keep extras too, and refillable large containers of some things.
The small bottle of vegetable oil is in the cabinet in the kitchen.
The gallon to refill with is in the pantry. We buy more spaghetti
when we use the second to last one, not after the last one.

That's can be harder for young couples without much money, but it can
be something to remember. When things are on sale that you know you
would have bought anyway, buy two or three and stash them by, but
don't wait until they're completely gone before putting it back on
the list.

Having something seem to be unlimited is what will help your kids get
over their craving for it. If they KNOW there's more ice cream (or
anything), and there will always or usually be, they won't be in a
hurry to eat "their share" (or all of it) out of fear of it being gone.

There are seasons to things. Lately here it's been bagels. It's a
staple and we buy more before they're gone. For a while it was
sandwich ham that was very popular. Before that, individual
microwaved pizzas. Each interest was fulfilled and then it wasn't
the most popular thing for a while again. A year ago, corn dogs. We
always had corndogs. Going with your children's direction instead of
against it will help.

Sandra




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Robyn L. Coburn

<<<< Incorporate the store into your
> unschooling life! >>>>

If I didn't have to haul at least eight heavy bags up the stairs with my
sciatica and injured hip I would be able to enjoy grocery shopping more. As
it is we have more fun doing short shopping trips to more special food
stores for the few gourmet type items or making a family outing of Costco
(which has great take out food and lots of cool samples) than for regular
old groceries. When Jayn was younger, before the deliveries became
available, we would shop at all kinds of odd hours and Jayn enjoyed it. But
in those days James was usually available to carry the bags when I got home
and now he almost never is at the times when I can easily shop. Vons
delivery has been a godsend for me.

My point was and is if you are regularly running out of something that
everyone likes a change in the way it is shopped for could be helpful.

Robyn L. Coburn
www.Iggyjingles.etsy.com
www.iggyjingles.blogspot.com