Re: Parenting in Cohousing | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: R.N. Johnson (cohorandayahoo.com) | |
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:34:56 -0700 (PDT) |
I have two small children, one six and one 11 months. I also used to work with parents of small children around nutrition issues. The biggest lesson I remember is that the parent's job is to make sure that a balanced diet is offered, and the child's job is to choose how much and what to eat. Parents can put as much energy as they want into battles around food, but if they have a child who really wants sweets, that child is going to find ways of finding them. On the other hand, if the child is offered a balanced diet, almost all children will eat a fairly balanced diet over a period of time. Unless there are major health or behavioral issues hinging on a special diet, it is probably not worth the energy it takes to patrol a child's diet to the extent needed to keep their diet sweet or junk food free. My 6 year old has perfected the art of begging without overtly begging, and is often offered treats by neighbors, friends, school cafeteria workers and the occasional street vendor or restaurant employee. We kept the kids off sugar for at least their first year, and try to keep treats as a once or twice a week thing. Living in cohousing has offered my son much greater access to sweets through dessert at common meals. I greatly appreciate it when neighbors check in with me before offering sweets, but try not to get too worked up when a well meaning person gives him a cookie or a candy. I did have to have a couple of stern talks with my father when he moved in to our cohousing community, because the occasional junk food was not a big deal, but going with Grandpa several times a week and having junk food was an issue for me. My son still eats more sweets than I would like, but he has a good idea of basic nutrition, and has been exposed to a wide variety of foods at home and in common meals. When push comes to shove, I would rather he have the supportive relations with other adults and kids in cohousing than keep him from the occasional treat. Randa Johnson New Brighton Cohousing Aptos, CA ****
- Re: Parenting in Cohousing, (continued)
- Re: Parenting in Cohousing Sharon Villines, June 14 2011
- Re: Parenting in Cohousing Lynn Nadeau / Maraiah, June 13 2011
- Parenting in Cohousing Fred H Olson, June 14 2011
- Parenting in Cohousing Thomas Lofft, June 14 2011
- Re: Parenting in Cohousing R.N. Johnson, June 15 2011
Results generated by Tiger Technologies Web hosting using MHonArc.