Candid Kid-Choices
Nicole Rod: I would like to add to the myriad of anecdotal evidence here, that last week I watched my daughter eat a bowl of ice cream, and then ask for a bowl of grapes. Shan Burton wrote, of her daughter who was nearly seven: "Mother, how does this sound for a sub? Spinach, wheat germ, and cheese?" On a whole grain hot dog bun. It tastes delicious, she reports. So, someone remind me why it'd be a disaster to let her eat what and when she wants? ;)"
Leo: "Mom, I want a carrot!"
We have been rushing around the last few days due to various kids' activities. Yesterday, Adriane's birthfamily was stopping by for a visit so I was frantically cleaning house. Jerry had fixed the kids a big breakfast earlier and I told the kids I wasn't fixing a sit down lunch due to time constraints. If they were hungry they should just help themselves. Having complete freedom to eat whatever they wanted, they did this:
Zach (10) fixed a corndog and chocolate milk.
Mine also can choose what ever they like. We haven't always been this way with the kids, its been about a year now and I see some amazing changes. I used to be very anal about meal time, no snacks, no dessert unless you'd cleaned your plates. The whole shabang, yuck. We are so much more relaxed with each other now, my kids choose a whole range of foods. They still like some candy/treats but they eat alot less than other friends whose parents limit them. I know that we've now come to a good place with eating and meals. My son, 10, who had the most limiting and coersion, came to me last week and asked if he could fix a dinner for all of us. He wanted to make it a sit down dinner with many courses! I was blown away. He made up the menu, grocery list, we went grocery shopping, he did alot of the cooking(me helping when he wanted). His sisters also helped with making a big menu to hang on the wall. He presented the following: Spinach salad, Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, honey glazed carrots and for dessert-French silk pie (homemade). It was very cool. He was very pleased with himself and the family had a really nice evening. There is such a difference in him towards this kind of thing since we've been more respectful towards each other — which started with our unschooling. Before he would have never wanted to do this kind of thing. Now he is choosing to do this and its making for some really wonderful family time.
I guess I too could say it isn't healthy to sit in front of the tv all day eating candy. But when I don't see that happening, it's not an issue. I'm sure it would become one if I started to make rules about food.Pam Sorooshian replied: Rosie, Roxana, and I are watching "Kiki's Delivery Service" (I'm kind of half watching and half reading email |