Laura Johnson, Lead Health Educator, Weight Management:
Is it possible for parents to feed children optimum nutrition a majority of the time? What happens if parents are not on the same page nutrition-wise? If one parent is encouraging the child to snack on lowfat cheese and whole grain crackers while the other is showcasing a bag of chips with its bright and glossy packaging, which item is the child most likely to choose? I found myself in this situation last winter when my husband and I took our two kids, ages 4 and 7, to Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop, WA to enjoy some fresh fallen snow. The trip was a grand success, until we landed at a gas station in Wenatchee on our drive home.
We had eaten a late breakfast that morning, but three hours had passed and our kids were hungry again. I had apples and oranges in the car, in addition to some dry roasted nuts, left over from the beginning of the trip. I assumed we could all just snack on these items until we got home and then have an early dinner. My husband, however, had a different idea.
The kids were lured into the convenience store at the gas station with my husband’s promises of “treats.” I could only imagine what they might purchase. I went along inside hoping to coax my kids into picking out something at least somewhat healthy: pretzels, some dried fruit, maybe a mozzarella cheese stick from the dairy case, or carton of chocolate milk, which would offer nutrition while satisfying the desire for a "treat." Again, my husband had other plans. My kids wandered towards the chip and candy aisle, and then towards the cracker display. Once again, I thought I could take the reins on the “snack quest” and steer my kids into making some healthier choices. No such luck. Before I could take on any authority my husband was saying OK to the Doritos, Cheetos, and Nutter Butter cookies! My husband chose some beef jerky and dry roasted peanuts; items with some redeeming qualities. I was horrified at the thought of letting my kids eat the items they had self-selected. At the very least, I decided I had to put some limits on how much they would be allowed to eat.
With smiles on their faces my kids gladly tore into the chips and cookies. After about 5-8 minutes of munching, I deemed it time to close up the bags to save some for later. To my good fortune my husband stayed quiet while I ruled over food quantity.
Most of the time, my husband and I agree on what our children should be eating. For example, we both agree that veggies should be plentiful at dinnertime. Backing each other up in this way sends a clear message to our children about our expectations for them. However, when we are at odds with what we think may be best, rather than having an argument about it on the spot, I have found peace knowing that I can be successful in helping them to limit their portions and teaching them to be mindful about what they are eating and how much is appropriate.