When you've ruined your kids

Ever screwed up as a parent? Yeah, it happened to me once.

Specifically, have you ever felt you’ve screwed up the eating habits of your kids? First of all, trust me, you haven’t. Well, at least not irreversibly. I’m a case in point. Growing up as a child of a working mom in the 80’s, I was raised on Chef Boyardee and Little Debbie. I cringe at the amount of processed food I inhaled over the course of almost two decades. But see, look at me now. Look at all the vegetables I eat that aren’t canned corn. There is hope for your child.

But here’s another question you maybe didn’t see coming. Ever feel like you’ve screwed up your kids’ eating habits so pervasively that now they’re screwing up yours? It wasn’t bad enough that these ungrateful wretches destroyed our bodies via pregnancy, breastfeeding, and years of lost sleep, but now that we’re finally at a point where we’d like to take our figures and health back as our own, we find nothing in the pantry but Gold Fish and Z-Bars and a menu outlined with mac n’ cheese and hot dogs. Shit. Those little bastards. Where do we go from here?

First of all, the fact that you’re now reading this is already creating an awareness about the issue. Now transition to the mindset that CERTAINLY there are steps you can take to improve your eating habits (and those of your family) towards better health. Which leads me to….

Start small. This is not the time to throw out every processed and sugary snack in your pantry. You will crash and burn faster than my kids on an inner tube with Uncle Jeff driving the boat. Here are some baby steps to get you started….

Keep more fruits and veggies in the house. Not a lot more. But a little more. Then “merchandise” them. Get some clear glass jars that have ready and easy to eat produce inside them. Similarly, set out veggies while you’re fixing dinner for the chance of a nibble. Or even serve a salad first, before you offer the rest of the meal.

I’m gearing this message for parents of older children. When kids are young we have more control over their intake. However, as kids gain more independence, it’s trickier to “just not have it around” as the “experts” might suggest. We’re trying to teach, not police, good patterns for our kids. Treat them with compassion & respect. Sit down with them & tell them your concerns of your own habits, how they might support you specifically, and IF they’d also like to incorporate some changes, how you might support them as well. But above all else…

Practice. Don’t Preach. BE the example for them. Make small changes that you can incorporate FOREVER, and then build on those habits. They may be on board at first. They may not. They may actually never come around. However, they’re 100% more likely to make and keep positive changes if you’re not ramming good nutrition wisdom down their throats. AND, their relationship with you will remain intact sans resentment and disordered eating patterns. No food battles is a HUGE WIN, Mama.

And P.S., if you need additional assistance on this matter, I know a girl. 😉