The inspiration for all this was actually a book. ‘Why French Kids don’t Throw Food’ by Pamela Druckerman .
I read this book a while back…and I keep coming back!
Dipping in.
I have read soooo many books on parenting but would actually only recommend a couple…this is one!
The title may suggest a book about food but it is actually much more…an insight into the wide range of issues involved in parenting. I’m sure there are lots of opinions and obviously this book reflects one woman’s perception of a culture as a whole, but nonetheless, I loved it.
It made me look at a whole range of our habits in a real, a very practical way. I realised my girls snack too much and were getting fussier about their food. That I haven’t savoured food with them or been adventurous with it…that often I haven’t persisted in encouraging them to eat foods they may first refuse. I also realised, despite my best intentions (and my hubby’s encouragement) that I often rush in to help them, to tell them how to do something rather than give them a minute to figure it out themselves. If they are looking for something that I will usually give it to them rather than making them wait.
Totally inspired by this I decided to try out a couple of the ideas set out in the book, the main one being food. And I have to say, I’m glad I did.
// We started with…you must taste everything on your plate, you don’t have to eat it all but you need to take a bite. If they don’t eat it then that’s it, nothing else is offered.
// I have thought out our snack times for the day and am trying to stick to this…allowing them to be hungry coming to the table for their dinner.
// I now give them starters before their main meal…a couple of things I know they like, a couple of new tastes.
And it’s working.
Maddie, who was turning her nose up at what seemed like an increasing variety of foods now will eat tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, brie; we still haven’t conquered the peppers…yet.
I’m trawling the internet for ideas on low sugar, healthy ideas for snacks and lunch boxes. Trying to become clean eaters, to get rid of the sugar rushes and their cravings for something sweet. Check out this and this.
I’ve come to the conclusion, as with all habits, that it’s a bit of a marathon event; it will not be put right overnight. I know though that I am in it for the long haul…this is the absolute right thing for me to be doing.
They are not girls who are overweight or sluggish but that doesn’t matter.
I want to instil in them good attitudes to food. That they enjoy their food, know that treats are just that – treats for set aside times and kept as such. That they are not ruled by food and cravings for sugar.
And I want the same for me!
