My mom is a healthnut. For better or worse, I “inherited” her healthnut-mom attitude. In our house that means a lot of whole grains, balanced meals, treats in moderation, occasional uses of super-healthy alternatives like flax meal and wheat germ for eggs and bread crumbs respectively, and frequenty hiding of veggies in meals to boost the nutritional value. It does not mean we avoid anything like the plague (i.e., high fructose corn syrup, Kraft Mac ‘n Cheese, or Lucky Charms). We actually eat all those things.
But I digress.
When PJ, and then Mia, came along, I strove to provide them with healthy choices and forced required them to eat a fruit or veggie with each meal, drink milk at dinner and water at other times, and finish a given meal before other stuff could be eaten. Sometimes that meant eating unfinished dinners at breakfast or unfinished breakfast at snack time. That philosphy resulted in 2 slightly picky (since they really only eat carrots and cucumbers for veggies) or 2 above average (when you consider they love sushi and other ethnic foods) eaters–depending on your perspective.
Along came Ty. The change of culture plus his aversion to certain textures plus his inability to focus or sit still plus his ability to hold food in his mouth for an amount of time that would put a gerbil to shame had me scrambling for a new feeding philosophy.
That’s when I found…
While I don’t want to subscribe to her philosphy hook, line, and sinker (mostly because it requires too much energy on my part), I really like her philosophy a lot. I also agree with it. I will say it feels risky to believe her and I think it’s easy to insert our doubts and mess up the practical application of the theory. I do love that she isn’t radical about making kids eat certain things or about eliminating anything. I think kids that are fed her way will do well as adults in the long run. I like that she addresses manner associated with eating as important as eating. I like that the basis for her theory is that kids should be raised towards eventually being independent and making smart decisions on their own.
In my opinion every parent or future parents should at least read this and then decide from there.
Anyone else read this book? Thoughts?
There is an amazon widget that shows it. It's called Child of Mine by Ellyn Satter
Sounds like a good read. Thank you for the recommendation! I think I'll give it a try.
Most of my kiddos came wired with pretty good eating habits. I can't take much of the credit for it. But a couple of them made me rethink everything I have ever thought about food and eating. funny how that happens sometimes!
nancy
I have not read it, but I just bought it. Thanks for the suggestion. I enjoy reading your blog.
I think I'm missing something. Is the book called Child of mine? I don't see a pic or link or anything besides the title. I am a bit slow. 🙂