I wrote the other day about how I believe that children should start feeding themselves as soon as they are developmentally able. Since “food issues” continue to be such big things for many families, I thought that talking about policing and issuing ultimatums around what food our children eat and how they eat at the table might also be a good topic for conversation.
I think that parents mean well–from the very first moment we worry about whether we are feeding our children enough and whether they are getting enough of the right nutrients and antibodies–parents debate whether to breast or bottle feed and how long and our pediatricians ask us how much are children are eating at every visit. We want to do what is right for them and controlling their food intake seems to be a good place to start.
But, is it really good for our children to have us hover over them, counting bites and calories, and putting pressure on them to eat enough of this and not too much of that? I know we get lambasted with media reports about how parents are making their children fat and childhood eating habits can influence a lifetime. If we give our children plenty of healthy choices in a low key manner, however, they may develop good nutrition habits on their own without us having to play Food Cop.
There is a certain amount of common sense involved–it we offer our children lots of junk food and sweets and then try to bribe them to eat healthier choices, we might be setting up a lose/lose situation. Likewise, if we never let them having anything sweet for a treat, the deprivation may cause them to binge whenever they get the chance. Moderation and plenty of choices may let us take a back seat and not become the stressed and watchful Food Cop who is monitoring and fussing over every bite (and every bite NOT taken too.)
Also: Does Your Baby Snack all Day?